10 SPIRITUAL RESOURCES FOR CHURCH LEADERS

The church is not a social institution, but a spiritual house unto the Lord, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are well-pleasing unto Him. (I Pet. 2:4,5). Leading and building up the church is really and deeply spiritual work, that requires spiritual resources. The tragedy today is that many modern church leaders, ministers, priests, and pastors want to build the church on and by secular resources. They try to do away with the spiritual foundation of the church and rely on secular education, secular styles, secular emphasis, and methods. Small wonder that the church has lost and is still losing ground in most places today.

But we need to look at the example of our Lord Jesus, who is the Founder, Foundation, and Head of the church. Even though Jesus never used His Divine nature while he was on earth, He nevertheless had access to some incredible resources which helped Him to lay a solid and eternal foundation for His church. In fact, throughout His ministry, Jesus had access to four resources to which all Christians, priests, ministers, and pastors also have access:

1. The Holy Spirit.

Every aspect of Jesus’ life was saturated with the Holy Spirit. We are told that He was conceived by the Spirit (Luke 1:35), anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; Isa. 11:1–2), and even “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:1 NKJV; see also v. 14; John 3:34).

Jesus was also sealed by the Spirit (John 6:27) and “led by the Spirit” (Luke 4:1). In Luke 10:21, we are told He “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (ESV), and He even performed miracles by the power of the Spirit (Matthew 12:28). Paul records in Romans that Jesus was raised by the Spirit (Romans 8:11).

If the living Son of God, in all His greatness, chose not to live without the constant help of the Spirit for even one moment, how can we do any less? The Holy Spirit is Jesus' promised gift to the church. And He has sent Him down since the day of Pentecost. He is the greatest resource to build, grow and glorify the church for Jesus. No church leader can do without the Holy Spirit and still lead or build a vibrant church for Christ.

2. Jesus relied on prayer

Second, Jesus relied on prayer. More than 40 times Scripture tells us that Jesus “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Jesus’ ministry began after 40 days of fasting and prayer (Luke 4:1–11) and Jesus ended His ministry in prayer (Luke 23:46–47).

It was while Jesus was praying that the Spirit came upon Him (Luke 3:21–22). It was after a season of prayer that Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14:25), chose His 12 apostles (Luke 6:12), showed compassion on a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–10), and faced the horror of the cross (Matthew 26:36–46).

For Jesus, prayer was a source of strength to resist temptation (Matthew 26:41) and an opportunity to learn His Father’s desires (Mark 1:38) and listen to His Father’s words (John 12:49–50). The church must truly become the house of prayer, by precept and practice! It's a great resource.

3. Jesus had access to the written Word of God.

On over 90 occasions it is recorded that Jesus quoted the Old Testament Scriptures, referring to 70 different Old Testament chapters. He knew the Scriptures, studied them, and used them in the everyday events of life.

The Word had center stage in Jesus’ life and ministry. Three times in John 13 it is said that Jesus “knew” that the time had come, that the Father had put all things under His power, and who was going to betray Him. Why? Because He studied the Scriptures. Jesus knew the events before Him because He clearly studied and knew the Scriptures must be fulfilled (Matthew 26:54, 56; Mark 14:27; Luke 22:36–37; John 19:24, 28).

10 Spiritual Resources For Church Leaders

Jesus demonstrated the depth of His understanding of the Scriptures after His resurrection when, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus explained the entire Bible to a couple of His disciples. “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

With His disciples, later on, Jesus reiterated this truth: “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44).

4. Jesus had access to supportive friends and family.

Even though Christ’s brothers were not initially supportive of His ministry, Jesus gained strength from His family and parents. Mary and Joseph were obviously a source of strength when Jesus was younger. Even up until His crucifixion on the cross Jesus was concerned for Mary’s care.

Jesus’ 12 disciples were a source of both great joy and great sorrow. But in Jesus’ own words they moved from just followers (John 1:43), to servants (John 13:13, 16), to friends (John 15:15), and then brothers (John 20:17). Hebrews 2:11 tells us that Jesus was not ashamed to call us His brothers.

Every aspect of Jesus’ ministry was relational. To Jesus, relationships were not a strategy; they were part of being fully human. Just as God the Father is in a community in the Trinity, so God the Son established a community of brothers. Jesus drew strength from those relationships (Matthew 26:36–38), and Scripture tells us not to “give up meeting together” but to “encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25). The early church in Acts clearly understood this resource (Acts 2:42).

5. The powerful name of Jesus- Phil. 2:9,10

The name of Jesus is a great resource for ministry. It's the name that sin, Satan, demons, and dark powers fear and tremble at. It's the name of the Lord that is a Strongtower. Proverbs 18:10. It gives victory in every battle of life and ministry. No leader can do mighty works without the name of Jesus

6. Fasting and prayers. Matthew 17:20-22

Seeking the Lord in protracted times of fasting, warfare and prayers is a great resource for ministry. It's a panoply that has never failed and will never fail for those who know how to use it rightly. It's the harbinger of revival and mighty hand of God manifesting to work on our behalf

7. Gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11

The grace-gifts are the supernatural demonstrations of, God, through His Holy Spirit in the life of every disciple of Jesus. Without the operations of these gifts in the church, things will be normal, nominal, and dying. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit through these gifts will reveal the secrets of sin, Satan and destroy the works of the devil amidst God's people

8. Angelic messenger. Hebrews 1:14

Angels are ministering spirits, sent to minister to the saints. Rather than worship angels, we should worship the Lord Jesus only. Angels should be seen as our servants, sent from the Lord. Angels are to provide protection, preservation, and victory to the saints in warfare situations.

9. Quality books, balance scriptural teachings resources. 1Tim. 4:13, 11Tim. 4:13.

Another great resource for ministry is the power of quality books and sound, scriptural teachings. If you don't read others, you cannot be read. If you have not been properly taught, there is no way you can teach others well. If you fail to take advantage of the numerous quality resources of being taught that the Lord graciously provides around us in our day, then we will lead our people astray with abysmal ignorance of the truth of the scriptures

10. The Spotless Blood Of Jesus.Hebrew 12:24

The blood of Jesus that was spotlessly shed on the Cross of Calvary is the greatest resource for victory to the believer. The Devils cannot stand the pleading of the blood of Jesus in whatever situation. The blood cleanses, purges, washes, transforms, protects, speaks of mercy, justice, and favors from God

Church leaders that want to do real spiritual work for the Lord must avail themselves of these resources. In fact, you cannot do without them if you want to do work that will not get burn up on the last day. Failure to avail yourself of these resources will leave you empty, and unable to do spiritual work for the Lord. Secular, carnal, and social churches are the outcome of the neglect of these spiritual resources.
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