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The world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham once said: “One of the first verses of Scripture that I was advised to memorize was 2 Timothy chapter 2, verse 2: ‘And what you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also’ (Luther Bible 84). This is a wonderful principle for spreading the gospel and growing the church.”
The ultimate task of a wise leader is to produce new leaders. Everything depends on them. If he doesn't produce new leaders, he's simply taking people for walks. A good leader can deliver compelling sermons from the pulpit, he can use good rhetoric, possess wonderful charisma, and have an attractive personality, but a wise leader will also multiply. The ministry will grow and continue, even when the leader himself is no longer around.
Dear reader, may I ask you what the fruit of a sheep is? Without giving it much thought, most people answer that it's wool, meat, fur, etc. But is that really the right answer? The fruit of a sheep is another sheep.
What is the true fruit of an apple tree? Again, people immediately think of the apple. But the true fruit of an apple tree is not the apple, but another apple tree.
1. Recognizing the needs of the times
What if a unique animal could no longer reproduce? The answer is simple: that species would become extinct. The same is true for plants. How desolate would the world be today, a world God created with such creativity, if the aspect of multiplication didn't function? Humankind, the crowning achievement of God, is still able to live out its destiny because new children are continually being born. What would be the state of our churches today if there hadn't been wise leaders in the past?
There is a powerful thought I would like to share: "If you want to plant something that lasts a summer, plant flowers! If you want to plant something that lasts a lifetime, plant trees! If you want to plant something that lasts an eternity, plant a community!"
The church is a magnificent idea of God, and He is building it with His children. Of course, it's sad when an animal or plant species becomes extinct, but how much more painful it is to see churches closing in our country every year. People don't want much to do with God. Every week, a church in Germany closes or is converted into a sports hall, a museum, a library, and so on. There are people who simply acknowledge the hardships of the times, and there are also wise leaders who want to make a difference. They want to invest in the church. The true fruit of a church is another church.
2. The divine and human aspects of building
Perhaps someone might want to quote Christ, where He said to His disciples: “[I will] build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18/Luther Bible 84). The idea arises that He will build it and we don't need to interfere. Yes, Christ is the head and the church are the members. Jesus uses His children to build His church.
The Apostle Paul addressed the church in Corinth and said, “ I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Analyzing this thought, we see certain results of the ministry. Humanity played a part. Paul (human) planted, Apollos (human) watered, and God made it grow (growth and multiplication). We come to the following conclusion: God's multiplication occurs in response to human action. If we are not willing to do our part, there is no growth and no multiplication.
God is a wonderful multiplier. He knows no limits. He makes much out of very little. He filled countless jars in the widow's house with one jar of oil (see 2 Kings 4:1-7). The feeding of the 5,000 people was accomplished with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish (see Matthew 14:13-21). But God accomplished this multiplication with the help of human hands.
The price of service is high, and not everyone is willing to pay it. Jacob wanted to marry Rachel, and he paid a heavy price for it. He gives us a glimpse into his struggle: “These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and goats were never deprived of their young, and I did not eat the rams of your flock. What was torn, I did not bring to you; I had to replace it, for you demanded it from me, whether it was stolen by day or by night. This is how it was for me: by day I was wasting away from the heat, and by night from the cold, and sleep fled from my eyes” (Genesis 31:38-40).
Jesus, as the perfect leader, was willing to sacrifice three and a half years of His life to invest in twelve other leaders. Paul was willing to stand by day and night in the gap for other leaders. The conclusion is: What costs nothing is worth nothing. Dear reader, are you ready to be a wise leader and invest in others?
3. Ways out of the dead end
Because Jesus is a perfect leader and possesses divine wisdom, we want to learn from Him how He lived the multiplication of leadership:
JESUS PRAYS
If we look more closely at the life of Jesus, we will find that He took time for prayer before every important decision—be it at His baptism, during the temptation, in His ministry, and so on. The selection of the disciples was a difficult decision for Him, so He spent the entire night in prayer (cf. Luke 6:12-16). Afterward, the Master called to various young men: “Follow me,” and this was accepted as a call from God. There was no resistance from them.
Once, while traveling with His disciples, Jesus felt deep sorrow when He saw the helpless people around Him. They were like lost sheep without a shepherd. Christ opened His mouth and said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). The need of the time was great, and He showed them a key to get out of their predicament. The key lies in the hidden chamber of prayer.
JESUS EQUIPS
Germany has developed an excellent vocational training system. Other countries envy us because we invest so much in our young people. Some even chuckle at certain professions like chimney sweep or bakery sales assistant, wondering what one is supposed to learn in three years of training. Cleaning a chimney or selling a bread roll requires so much knowledge. The country's motto seems to be: "Training is expensive, but not training is even more expensive."
Jesus empowered his disciples (cf. Mt 10:1). They were to have power over unclean spirits; they were to pray for the sick so that they might be healed. He accompanied, motivated, and corrected them for three and a half years. He spent most of his ministry with them.
JESUS IS SENDING OUT
No matter how good an apprenticeship is, it eventually comes to an end. Either you pass the exam and, as a qualified professional, can work independently in your field, or you fail the exam and look for something else. Even with Jesus, not everyone passed the apprenticeship, despite many opportunities. Judas failed a crucial test.
Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs and gave them specific instructions (cf. Mt 10:5-15). They were to put what they had learned into practice and thus expand the Kingdom of God. In their ministry, they would experience not only blessing but also disappointment and rejection. Jesus' rigorous training had matured the disciples to such an extent that they were even prepared to die like their Master rather than renounce their faith.
We had a brother on the board who was passionate about planting a new church. He repeatedly expressed this desire. We prayed together about it several times. He visited the surrounding churches and asked God to open our eyes to this possibility. For three years, it seemed as if nothing would change. But then the opportunity arose to purchase a building in its unfinished state. The church built the building, and today, services have been held there for four years.
4. Potential dangers of incorrect motives
Focusing solely on large numbers and how to achieve them quickly can be dangerous. Unreformed individuals may become members, and immature leaders may occupy important positions.
Concluding thought: Dear reader, if you are a leader in the church, regardless of your area of ministry, invest in new leaders. Every birth brings pain and hardship, but afterwards, great joy and happiness. Paul gives wise advice to Timothy: “And what you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). If every believer followed this pattern, the church could reach the world with the gospel within a generation! Invest in others until they mature enough to train others. Let us invest in people so that there will be more Christians and churches tomorrow.
Wilhelm Lenz
Municipality of Venne