The Basis of Assertiveness

If you have a chance, read this article from the Church Leadership Newsletter.  Here is a quote:

Notice the wording when the apostle Paul reminds us of the primacy of Christ and the cross. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1:18, italics added). If there is a need for a greater assertiveness about the gospel message, there is also a need for a greater humility that comes from knowing we are all being saved.

How do leaders practice greater assertiveness and at the same time greater humility? Do those see to you to be opposites?

Look closely at the scripture.  "...but to us who are being saved."  Being saved.  Not perfect.  Not complete.  Not always right, even when we think our opinions and judgments are biblically based. Our assertiveness regarding this gospel shouldn't be grounded in a belief in the rightness of our opinions.

Instead, our assertiveness should come from the the very knowledge that God is saving us.  God is changing us. God is at work in our lives, and we know the difference that can make.  From the humility of that knowledge, we can offer Christ, with the assertive knowledge of God's presence and love for all of us.

That's grace, and it's what we are called to offer to others.