by Alan Langstaff

Everyone is at some time a Leader. Well, almost everyone. When I was young, I thought that people were either Leaders or Followers. But that is not so. Almost all people are meant to be leaders. Sometimes in big ways, such as being a parent – it goes on for years. Sometimes in small ways, such as a teacher teaching children in Bible class (may only involve being together one day each week).

Consequently, when I became a pastor, I studied the subject of leadership and also taught classes on leadership.

There are many aspects of a good leader. Such as the aspect of vision, planning, etc., but there is one quality that I realized a leader needs to develop if he is to be a good and effective Christian leader. It is the ability to hear the voice of the Lord and receive His guidance and even direction in particular situations.

The ability to hear the voice of the Lord is, in my opinion, the most important ability to develop – the ability to recognize the voice of the Lord.

HEARING THE VOICE OF THE LORD

Now this is something to be developed and used regularly if one is to be a successful Christian leader. There are many ways that God uses to speak to people, such as through the Bible, the voice of the Holy Spirit, dreams, through people, etc., etc.

Now some teachers put such an emphasis on the Word that they don’t always see God speak in other ways. The Word is critical because all forms of guidance must be tested against the Word of God. When a person who is married seeks to divorce his wife and marry someone else, one only has to put that up against Scripture and see how wrong it is.

Over 25 years ago, a young man came to the Bible School, which was begun at Antioch Christian Fellowship. He completed the course and kept in touch with us over the years. He has declared that Dorothy, my wife, and I were spiritual mentors to him. He now enjoys a worldwide ministry, and his messages are presented in visual form, as he has also developed a film ministry, and these are screened on Daystar Ministries worldwide.

He has written an excellent book on the subject of hearing the voice of the Lord. Indeed, recently I was sharing with someone about this subject, and in turn I gave her a copy of this book. It is called “Love Speaks”.

You can learn more about the book and order your own copy here: www.lovespeaks.today

TIMING REGARDING A WORD FROM GOD

In many cases, when a person needs a Word from God, things are not processed to discover it now. For example, you feel that God is guiding you to relocate, maybe for business reasons, to another location. You probably don’t have to run out and find a new house immediately; but on other occasions you may be faced with a decision that needs an answer right there and then.

In other words, you don’t have time to seek the Lord; you have to hear His voice right there and then. It may be so urgent that you need God’s Word right at that moment. I want to share with you a story from my life that illustrates what I am saying.

For many years I was involved in Christian Television. I was the Australia Director and host of the Australian version of the PTL Club TV Program. Later on, when I moved to America, I was invited to be on the Board of what later became known as the Lakeland Foundation. This organization sought to raise funds to have a Christian TV Station in Minneapolis.

In the fall of 1991, an opportunity arose when Channel 23 went up for sale. It was 20 million dollars in debt, and it was available for sale at a price of 3.2 million dollars.

“The foundation board decided to pursue it, and Linda Rios Brook, who had more than 20 years of experience in television and had recently been the president of KARE 11, the local NBC affiliate, came in to help. The negotiations proceeded. At the same time, money was being sought from other potential shareholders.

For some reason, the sale had to be finalized by the end of February 1992. By this time, I was on the executive board of the foundation, along with Jerry Peltier and Morris Vaagenes. We came to the last week of February, and the deal fell apart. The bankruptcy lawyer decided to give us one more chance to put a deal together under one condition: if the deal didn’t come together by the end of the month- actually, that very week- the foundation would forfeit the half-million dollars it had put down as earnest money toward the purchase.

I will never forget what happened Monday morning of that week. Standing in the living room of our home in Minnetonka, I answered a phone call from Linda Rios Brook and our lawyer, Rick Runbeck. They explained the situation, and the question was, “Do we risk the half-million dollars?” Then it was explained that since both Jerry Peltier and Morris Vaagenes were out of town and couldn’t be reached. I, as the only other member of the executive board, had to make the decision on behalf of the foundation as to whether or not to proceed. What was I to say?

What is more, I didn’t have time to think it over. I had to make a decision right then and there. So I prayed. It was a one-word prayer. “Help!” It was then that I heard an inner word from God, as clear as if I had heard an audible voice. There were three words: “Bet the farm.” By that, I did not feel we were to gamble the funds, but rather, we were not to hold anything back. We were to go for broke and give it all we had. So I told Rick and Linda, “Let’s bet the farm.”

As soon as I put the phone down, I heard the devil whisper, “That’s the kind of thing that put Jim Bakker in jail.” But I didn’t accept his word, and all that week I had peace that I had made the right decision.

The negotiations continued, but by Friday, February 28th, it still wasn’t in place. But, praise God, it was a leap year, and somehow over Friday night, Linda and Rick and the team got it all worked out, and on Saturday I was in a plush downtown office of a law firm to sign the documents on behalf of the foundation. Being a Saturday, all the lawyers, who were usually in suits and ties, were running around in blue jeans.” (excerpt from “The Best Is Yet To Be”, available on Amazon.)

CONCLUSION THOUGHT

I just want to emphasize some points.

1) God speaks to people, especially leaders. A Christian leader, if he is to be successful, must develop the ability to hear God’s voice.

2) God speaks to us in many ways. See the book mentioned, written by Carl Anderson: “Love Speaks.”

3) Sometimes it happens very quickly. Remember, understanding can wait, but obedience can’t.

So seek the Lord to hear His voice and to experience the adventure of faith that is involved.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27 (NKJV)