Strong Teaching vs. Strong Judgment

The Benefit of Strong Teaching

We all want to be strong leaders because strong leaders are good leaders.  Strength in a leader is not reflected when authority is flexed while the lay person is looking on.  Strong leadership depends on the ability to know when to be tough and when to be gentle.

When dealing with doctrinal issues, we need to be tough.  What I mean by tough is we need to be direct.  Leaders should never beat around the bush about core values, doctrines or principles from the Word of God.  When we hesitate to preach the Word as it is with love, we cheat the people from the potency of preaching that instills faith.   Often times, leaders divert from hard topics or controversial issues so that none are offended.   These leaders become soft in their teaching of core principles and doctrines and the boat is never rocked.

Jesus came and rocked the boat of many religious men and women.  He offended their condition with the truth.  Sin will always be offended by the truth.   Jesus never took a passive approach in his teaching when dealing with sin.  He was very direct and those who left had a clear understanding of what was taught, though they may not have liked it.

As leaders, we need to teach with direct communication, speaking to the lost or wayward conditions of the flock from the Word of God.   The reality of human nature is that we are hard-wired to receive this type of communication.  A child who’s parents never offend his wrong condition with the rod of discipline certainly will grow up never knowing boundaries or expectations.  The same is true with a group of followers.  If a leader never directly confronts hard issues or topics, the people will never know where the leaders stands, and will seek their own way.  Strong, loving, teaching is the cure.  A solid preaching/teaching of the truth on hard topics will set a congregation free to move within the boundaries of the Word.

The Out-of-Control Reaction

When there is no strong teaching, the people wander about finding their own path and sometimes their moral demise.  Intrinsically, they will violate principle of doctrine when there is not solid teaching.  Those leaders who are soft on teaching about hard issues will reap a congregation who cannot apply the principles of God’s Word to hard situations.

Often leaders who are not strong teachers of hard Biblical principles find themselves reacting to failures with a judgemental attitude because they feel things are out-of-control.    Then, there are those who are afraid to even confront the issues after the failure hoping it will go away.  As pastors and leaders we are responsible for the souls within our care.  Let us never neglect strong doctrine to help those who follow find their way.  A church living within the boundaries of good, solid, and even hard Biblical principles will cause others to see the errors of their ways.  There will be less need for swift judgment and more room for growth.

We are given the choice to deal with hard issues now or later.  We know certain situations are going to arise within the church because of our sinful nature.  It is better to deal with it now, than to wait.  Good doctrinal teaching is proactive.  Lack of good teaching on hard issues makes for a reactive leader.