In America we are dazzled by the big names. We love to promote men and women who are either glamorous or scuzzy or both. Glam can come by way of smooth talkers or beauty but to be important in America it is necessary to have some such characteristic.
This is a real problem in the Church of Jesus Christ. Many good Christians would gladly trade a very effective leader and pastor for a smooth talking Cary Grant look alike. This is why cons get by with so much in public life in the USA.
That is not to say that the golden tongues among us cannot lead. they can but it is much more difficult for they come to depend upon the well practiced phrase rather than the well planned and well executed consistency. I study churches. Congregations that grow in strength, spiritual effectiveness and influence for a decade or more have leaders that do far more than speak well.
A good speaker can draw people in the front door but that is about all. Everything else that is required to be a success over a long period of time comes from people behind the scenes and outside the pulpit. A strong church has a multitude of small groups, sub-congregations and is honeycombed with numerous support systems that the golden throated warbler may be unaware of or even care about.
Rev Ralph Neighbour is a man that has touched many multiplied thousands of people from behind the scenes. He is largely responsible for spreading the good news about Cell Groups to nations and regions that desperately needed a way to disciple new believers and raise up new leaders. I first heard about Uncle Ralph in Singapore. Go to his web at
http://www.ralphneighbour.com for more information.
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