Courage . . . the fourth "C"

As the 3 characters made their way along side of Dorothy and Toto on their way to Emerald City, they each had a request. The Tin Man wanted a heart. The Scarecrow wanted a brain. And the Lion wanted some courage. If you can get a good dose of courage from visiting Emerald City, then maybe we should all make a quick visit.

Where are the courageous Christians in the church today? It is, after all, an essential ingredient in effective ministry. God told Moses and later Joshua that they needed to be strong and courageous. So, on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being no courage at all and 10 being the most courage possible) how courageous are you? What number would you give yourself when it comes to standing up for truth? What number would you give yourself when it comes to sharing your faith with others? What number would you give yourself when it comes to taking risks for God?

Recently, I was able to have lunch with David Ashcraft, who is the Senior Pastor at the Lancaster County Bible Church (LCBC), and Andrew Martin, who is his Worship Arts Director. Bryan Nelson, the Worship Arts Director here at Grace Church, also joined us. LCBC is a seeker-oriented church that is designed after the Willow Creek model with Pastor Bill Hybels near Chicago. They are currently running around 5,700 in attendance for their weekend services. These are two wonderful men have a genuine heart for God and a burning passion to reach lost people for Christ. I greatly admire that.

As we ate together, we talked about all different aspects of ministry. One of the areas we discussed was staffing and how we went about hiring new staff members. We discussed the three “C’s” that Bill Hybels gives in his book, Courageous Leadership (a must read book that I highly recommend). Hybels says that when it comes to hiring new staff, he looks for the three “C’s”:

COMPETENCE = Can they do the job?
CHARACTER = Are they a person of God?
CHEMISTRY = Will they mix and work well with the current team?

David Ashcraft then told me that he has added a 4th “C” which is COURAGE. He said that he will only hire someone if they have the courage to attempt great things for God. I think he is exactly right. We need courageous Christians! I have asked God to make me a courageous leader. I would encourage you to make this a part of your prayer life as well, no matter what aspect of life or area of ministry you find yourself in at the moment.

“Only be strong and courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7, 9