The rising of generation xtreme - part 4 in the serialising of Carl Anderson's Changing Of The Guard

The Marks Of A Spiritual Father

A few years ago I heard a sermon preached by Pastor Terry Christ on the "Marks of a Spiritual Father." Let me share his twelve key points with you, along with my comments, directing this at the Moses' out there who have gained a place of experience and maturity. Terry compared spiritual parenting with natural parenting, and although they are not the same thing in the Kingdom, still there are interesting parallels one can draw from each to apply. Many of these points are found in 1 John as John addressed different believers that he had helped oversee in love and discipline.

First, they assume responsibility for the family. This is the mark of a true father, a true leader. God puts the responsibility for the family on the father. In Acts 20 Paul gives charge to the leadership at the church at Ephesus, and shares with them, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28.

Second, they are not reliant upon those around them to determine their course. They are constant and stabilized and build relationships with those who are constant. When I had my first son, I remember the moment I left the hospital with this beautiful six-pound little man in my arms. The hospital and the nurses didn't leave a book on how to raise him! It was my responsibility. I learned hints from good dads around me and sought the Lord on direction, strength, and help.

Third, they are not insecure. Spiritual dads have learned security from the presence of God, and they know who they are in Christ and his truths. Security in oneself brings security to the family. Some leaders who are spiritual fathers have gathered together around them people who are stronger than they are in certain areas, thus offsetting their own weaknesses without feeling the least bit inferior or insecure in doing so. "The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him" said Niccolo Machiavelli.

Fourth, they have a relationship with THE Father as a pattern. Spiritual fathers have spent time and learned over a period of years to get to know intimately the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Each member of the Godhead has a particular voice, personality, and uniqueness. By spending time with the Father, He supernaturally imparts His ways. Moses did this. He learned the Father's ways, while the
children of Israel only learned His acts. "He will cry to me, 'Thou art my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.'" Psalm 89:26.

Fifth, they are selfless - willing to lay down their life for the family. Jesus was the original pattern for this kind of selfless life. He was the good shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Spiritual fathers are willing to pay a greater price than anyone around them. Perhaps an ultimate price.

Carl Anderson

Sixth, they are spiritual thinkers and strategists. It takes time to think things through. Fathers take the time necessary to hear the Spirit speaking to them and look at various situations in a different way. Strategies must be developed for children which allow them opportunities to see their own character faults themselves and the means to correct them, as well as room to grow and explore their own gifts. Many sheep in the body are never given an opportunity to grow because their shepherds have not taken the time to pray over them and release them in special strategies for their own growth and growth for the Kingdom.

Seventh, they have a passion for unity. Spiritual dads, since they are secure and strong in themselves and in Christ, can lay down their own particular opinions for the sake of a greater cause of unity. As Dr. Lance Wonders, one of the spiritual fathers in my own life once taught me, "In the essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity." If more leaders would put this statement on their bathroom mirror and live by it, there
would be much less in-fighting and more loving in the Body.

Eighth, spiritual fathers understand authority. Back all the way in the garden, God gave man authority over almost all of His created order. All but one thing, that is. Other men. Spiritual fathers recognize they have authority over the flock as a whole, over the family as a whole, but each individual member is answerable only to the Heavenly Father for his/her own sins, redemption, and sanctifying work. The shepherd tends, guards, and prays for his flock, and his individual sheep. That is where a leader's authority begins and ends. Prayer is the ultimate authority as we relinquish our rights to control to God alone and He changes people and leads His flock.

Ninth, they are providers. In that passage from Acts 20 quoted earlier, Paul goes on to say to the Ephesian leadership, "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than receive.'" Acts 20:33-35. This is a radical thought in today's selfish church culture. Most leaders expect that their labor for the church should yield them financial blessing. Yet Paul often took a different road. He recognized that tithes and offerings that went to supply his own needs may cause the weak to stumble, so he chose to work with his hands during certain seasons and provide for the needs of himself and his team. A good father is a good spiritual and natural provider.

Tenth, they understand what it means to be a servant. Jesus Himself spoke the memorable words, "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders, for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant." Matthew 23:9-11.

Eleventh, they speak prophetically, assisting in determining the spiritual destiny of their children. A spiritual father can have not only vision, but an ability to see the potential in someone and develop a strategy to see them brought forth into what they are called to do. Like Jesus' relationship with Simon, whom He prophetically called, "Peter," or, "the rock" long before he was a "rock." He prayed for him before his temptation that though
Satan would sift him like wheat he would "not fall." And then later He personally appeared to Him after the resurrection and restored him to strength. On the day of Pentecost "the rock" was seen by all and a changed man stood up and preached Christ.

Twelfth, they speak inspirationally. "You can do it." Spiritual fathers are encouragers and they are patient to wait for the fruit of their labors in their kids. In their hearts, if the ones whom they serve can outdo them and outrun them, they have done their job. Quietly in their heart, with no need for recognition, they can patiently look at those whom they have inspired, who may be far exceeding them in their own ministries, and say, "to God alone the glory." Mark Twain once quipped, "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years."

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