Leadership or leader-slip?
Paraklesis
[‘encouragement’, ‘exhortation’, for life and ministry]
May 2025
Peter Adam
Dear friends,
In an activist age, where we are motivated by measurable performance, and where everyone finds meaning in being busy, and so guilt and meaninglessness in not being busy, it is a great shock that Biblical leadership includes standing! Standing firm, standing rather than running away, standing firm rather than shifting: these are all aspects of Christian living, as well as Christian leadership.
In a rapidly changing world, where progress by adaptation is the rule, and where the most recent is sure to be the best, and where the greatest fear is to be outdated, it is a shock to be told to stand firm!
At the same time, our standing firm can also be destructive, if we stand firm in the wrong ways. Being wedded to the past can be destructive. We can so easily have out-of-date structures, patterns, and models of ministry, of communication, of cultural resonance, of relationships, and of world-views.
So what does it mean to stand firm positively and productively?
Ponder these Biblical instructions, and ponder how you are currently putting them into practice. Here are key places on which you should stand firm!
Stand firm, to see God do what only God can do!
Moses said, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still’ [Exod 14:13,14].
Stand firm in the faith, stand firm in the gospel, stand firm in Biblical teaching!
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong [1 Cor 16:13].
This gospel on which you stand … Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you [1 Cor 15:1, 58].
Stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you [2 Thess 2:15].
Stand fast in the true grace of God [1 Pet 5:12].
Stand firm in the Lord Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit
Stand firm in the Lord [Phil 4:1].
You are standing firm in the Lord [1 Thess 3:8].
Stand firm in the one Spirit [Phil 1:27].
Stand firm in God’s will, in God’s grace, and in gospel freedom.
That you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured [Col 4:12].
This grace in which we stand [Rom 5:2].
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm [Gal 5:1].
Stand firm against Satan and his agents
Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes … Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests [Ephes 6: 11, 13-18].
Stand firm, knowing that the Lord Jesus is able to make us stand, so we must stand firm!
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all [Is 7:9].
The Lord is able to make them stand [Rom 14:2].
It is by faith you stand firm [2 Cor 1:24].
Stand firm, as we wait for the return of Christ.
Stand firm, and you will win life … Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near [Luke 21:19,28].
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near [Jas 5:8].
- Leaders lead by standing firm, as well as by taking people on a journey. We need to do both, not one or the other!
- Leaders lead by standing firm, to help other people to stand firm.
- Leaders lead by standing firm, to show people where to stand firm.
- Leaders lead by standing firm: otherwise we all go round in circles!
- Are you standing, or slipping?
It takes determination and energy to stand firm, when everything else and everyone else is on the move. And it takes wisdom and energy to stand firm where you need to stand firm, and to move where you need to move!
We pray:
‘Our gracious God and loving heavenly Father, please grant us gospel leaders who stand firm to see you do what you alone can do; who take their stand on the faith, the gospel, and Biblical teaching; who stand firm in the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit; who stand firm in your will and your grace, and in gospel freedom; who stand firm against Satan and his agents; who stand firm, and know that the Lord Jesus is able to make them stand; and stand firm as we await the return of the Lord Jesus. We pray this, that we all may stand firm with them, by your grace and power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.’
With warmest greetings in Christ,
Yours,
