Jerry Vines Ministries

For over thirty years I read at least one sermon by Charles Spurgeon every week.

What a preacher!

We Baptists can justly be proud he wore the name Baptist unashamedly. His remarkable ministry, starting at a very early age, is well known.

One of my favorite books is his "Lectures To My Students." In it he makes reference to a statement by King David recorded in II Samuel 10:5: "Tarry at Jericho until your beards  be grown, and then return." He rightly points out that the passage has been misused to put young men in their place, while its primary reference would more correctly apply to men of whatever age who have fallen into the hands of the enemy and yielded to moral failure.

Perhaps Spurgeon is writing from a hurtful experience in his own life.

When he was only 19 he was speaking at a joint meeting where other preachers were also speaking. After he spoke, two of the speakers quoted the II Samuel 10:5 passage as a rebuke to Spurgeon for his youth.  Spurgeon then arose and replied, citing the primary application of the text I have noted above. The audience got the point-especially because one who had rebuked him had experienced a personal moral failure.

Young men can be leaders. But, there is no guarantee they will be leaders. Spurgeon led by the power of his pulpit oratory and the skillfulness of his pastoral ministry.

I probably have 50 or more books on leadership in my library. I don't think any two of them give the same definition for leadership.

I like what  Adrian Rogers used to say: "If you want to be a leader, start going somewhere. If anyone follows you, you are a leader."

So, young leaders, growing your beards, if you want to lead, start going somewhere. Leadership isn't something you demand, whine about, or expect to be placed as a mantle around you. Build a great church. Win people to Christ. Preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Answer the call to the university or seminary classroom. Go to the mission field. Get involved serving Christ in the fellowship of Southern Baptist life. If anyone follows, you will be a leader.

I look forward to seeing my young leader friends at the convention!