Transitions of Leadership - Biblical and Beneficial

Biblical Transitions of Leadership

Here follows a part of the document we, as KingsGate elders, have put together throughout this process of transition and which has powerfully informed and shaped the way we have responded to the many prophetic words indicating a transition of leadership within KingsGate.

Furthermore, the following examples were the basis for the messages I preached at KingsGate on Sunday the 29th May, 2011, with the intent of both teaching God’s perspective through a time of exciting change, as well as letting the congregation in on some of the prayerful and careful due diligence of the eldership team in the last months.

The Word of God is the highest authority in our lives, inextricably linked to the Person and character of God. All prophetic nudgings, no matter how prolific and clear, are to be filtered through the Scriptures.

Furthermore, ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ (2 Timothy 3:16) The Word, being a lamp to our feet and guiding every step forward, would help dramatically in this process. Beyond this, the KingsGate eldership firmly believes in the Word of the Spirit and the Spirit of the Word and that this needs to be modeled in every way, especially this.

In submitting to the Word, it was essential that this was done in team in order to eradicate subjectivity, suggestiveness, text shaping and the like. A team pursuit of this would allow for greater honesty, objectivity and integrity required for such an important discussion.

During this process, we took much time in prayer together to discover Scriptural perspectives on transitions in leadership in both its Biblical basis and whether it is or is not Beneficial. Here is a summation of some of the collective findings regarding this ...

Key Biblical Examples Of Transitions In Leadership

Choice of the New Testament -

Simply because it expresses God’s will and ways for the church within the Church Age wherein we find ourselves, as well as the early Church apostles’ practices and perspectives regarding this.

Chosen examples -

Jesus : Head of the Church, ultimate pattern of Kingdom Christianity and pre-eminent example to follow.

Paul : After Jesus, one of the greatest apostles and certainly the greatest exponent of planting and establishing churches, and raising and releasing leaders therein.

Part 1 : Jesus’ Transitional Leadership - from Jesus in person to the the Spirit in and over men.

1. John 13 - 17 ... Jesus was preparing His disciples and apostles for His departure and transition from ‘Jesus of Nazareth’/God incarnate leadership to Holy Spirit-led leadership after 3 years. From flesh and blood to Spirit.

Centrally - John 16:7 ‘But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away ...’

Jesus is not speaking specifically here concerning His crucifixion (which was and is indeed extremely beneficial); rather, He is referencing the coming leadership and dispensation of the Holy Spirit in and over men.

Basically, according to His perspective His departure was good regarding the change of leadership and Kingdom governance, as well as the fact that His task in redemptive history was about to be fulfilled before His return at the culmination of the ages.

Importantly - Jesus placed major stakes of security in the hearts of His nearest during a period of change and uncertain future:

1. i. Emulating servant leadership brings present blessing,

ii. Humility is essential through any change (13:12-17)

1. Love counts greatest (13:34-35)
2. Trust in God (14:1)
3. Abide and you will be fruitful (15:1-17)
4. Protected by The Name (17:11)
5. Sanctified by the Word (17:16)

1. Acts 1-2 ...

‘The coming of the Spirit on the group signified the creation of the Spirit-endowed, Spirit-empowered, Spirit-led community.’ Stanley Grenz

• 1:3-8

1. Between resurrection and ascension there was further preparation.
2. The absolute priority is the Kingdom of God in its ways and lifestyle.
3. Before the return of the King the Spirit’s leading and empowering is essential and primary.

• 1:12-14

1. In transition prayer together is key.

• 1:15-26

1. In transition responding to the Word is key.

• 2:41-47

1. The result of transition was dramatic with several thousand salvations and the welding together of God’s kingdom community called the Church.

It is important to note that there could not be a more unexpected transition of leadership than this. After 3 years Jesus said it was time to go and hand over the baton to men governed by the Spirit. These people were thrust into the uncertainty of the unknown; yet, He said it was/would be good and indeed it was good with the result being the birthing of the Church with great salvations and a remarkable community life!

Moreover, Peter was the initial key leader. He had just renounced Christ three times yet was graciously re-instated by Jesus and powerfully enabled by the Spirit to lead the team that led the early church.

In answering the question regarding whether a transition in leadership after a seemingly short period of time is both Biblical and Beneficial -

This most dramatic and unexpected transition from the flesh and blood leadership of Christ to the invisible leadership of God the Spirit over and in men reveals that there is Biblical evidence for a seemingly swift transition of leadership and that in God it is indeed Beneficial for all involved. This example of Jesus’ transition is clearly informs the process and is great, glorious and compelling!

Part 2 : Paul’s Transitionary Leadership

1. Thessalonica ... Acts 17:1-10 and 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8

This is Paul’s shortest tenure of leadership and that being 3 Sabbaths which was basically 3-4 weeks. After such as brief period Paul moves on in the midst of serious persecution and his leadership is ‘handed over’ to ‘the brothers’. You would imagine that this fledgling church would fizzle and fade incredibly quickly; however, Jesus is indeed the head of His church and the church in Thessalonica more than flourishes!

We see such evidence in 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8

Note well ...

1vs1: ‘the church of the Thessalonians in God ... and the Lord Jesus Christ’ This was Paul’s theology regarding the foundation and root of Kingdom success for every church, that the church is rooted in God not men!

1vs2-3 : The key fundamentals to a flourishing church after transition are simply FAITH, HOPE and LOVE in the hearts of every believer!

1vs4 : ‘He has chosen you(pl)’ ... Again, Paul’s theology on who presides over a faith community - God first, a leader(s) a distant second.

1vs7-8 : This church, seemingly ‘abandoned and left to the wolves’ after 3-4 weeks, became a church of great influence and example, and a launching pad for the Gospel into the surrounding regions because God the Spirit presides over His church and leads leaders in the way they need to minister for the glory of God and the good of His people!

Again, coming back to the question of Biblical evidence and its Benefits, we see that even a transition of leadership from Paul to the brothers in the midst of persecution after 3 weeks or so will never stop God from causing His church to flourish!

ii.Ephesus ... Acts 19:8-21, Acts 20:17 - 21:1, Rev 2:1-7

In comparison to Thessalonica this is Paul’s longest stay in a given region. He spent 3 years in Ephesus and then simply decided to leave while the church was just beginning to explode into another level! He hands the church over to the elders, and then after many tears they tear themselves away from each other and he heads to Jerusalem to face an uncertain and dangerous future. Please make note of the following verses in Acts :

Ch19:8,10, 21

Ch20:17, 22, 25, 28-31, 36-38

Ch21:1

We then see that many decades after Paul’s swift and decisive departure from a church of great influence that the church is still going strongly and that Jesus, the Head of the church, is still deeply at work in their midst in order for them to continually flourish! Note Rev 2:1-7!

Again, in this instance Paul departs from a church in revival on a whim and hands the church on to the elders under God and His Word of grace and the result is, wait for it, continued blessing and increase. This is further evidence of the Biblical example as well as the fact that it is always beneficial in answering this critical question.

In the pursuing of God’s Biblical perspective on these critical questions it is simple to see from both Jesus’ and Paul’s examples that God moves swiftly many times in leadership matters and it is indeed Biblical, and it is indeed always beneficial regardless of the genuine heartache of the goodbyes.

I trust this is both helpful and informative for those reading, especially those part of KingsGate upon whom dawns a glorious future in God within a new leadership era. “From Glory to Glory”

Ryan