Satan versus the Leader

Dr. Chuck Lawless, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, offers some thoughts on how he would attack the church today if he were the enemy. I realize this is somewhat outside of the scope of apologetics proper, however since apologetics is part of the larger context of spiritual warfare I think it's appropriate for us to be aware of these things and guard against them in our churches and ministry activities. Here are a few that gave me pause:

Third, I would challenge leaders to emphasize spiritual disciplines . . . but only for others. Sure, Bible study matters, prayer is non-negotiable, and fasting is important. No leader would ignore these disciplines — at least for others. Ordinary church members need to develop these habits, but the enemy reminds leaders that their time and energy are required elsewhere. The result is leadership based on our own power.

Sixth, I would not hinder ministry success . . . as long as “success” results in few changed lives. I am a professor of church growth who believes that numbers are a legitimate means to measure church growth. If, though, we measure only increased numbers without asking whether (1) non-believers are being reached and (2) lives are being changed, growth alone can lull us to sleep. Success thus sets us up for all of the strategies listed above.

Read more here.

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