ODC Ministries
  • Home
  • Pastor ODC
  • SouthwestCampaign
  • ODC TV
  • Podcast
  • ETS
  • Foundation
  • Team ODC
  • Events
  • O.D. Culliver Memorial Scholarship
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • SW First Vice President
  • SW Second Vice President

Advice for Spiritual Leaders: Hear God and Serve His People!!! (in honor of MLK)

1/21/2015

16 Comments

 
Picture
What a weekend in Selma, Alabama!!  I was blessed to interact backstage with the star-studded cast of “Selma the Movie” who came back to this hallowed, historic ground to lead a commemorative march to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in remembrance and honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. I was able to converse with them on a range of issues from Ferguson to economic development through educational investment.  There was so much to digest that I am still trying to process all that transpired on that historic day.  Therefore, over the next few weeks I will be blogging about my experience, as I internalize and process this glorious privilege I was granted.

Since it was the King Holiday weekend, I was definitely interested in what David Oyelowo would say about the honor and the burden of portraying this heroic figure in “Selma the Movie”.  Oyelowo shared the tremendous amount of work he put into understanding Dr. King (Martin) the man.  While many know him through his soaring, inspiring and anointed speeches, Oyelowo sought to understand Martin, “the man”, as a husband, as a father and as a friend.  In order to do this, he studied a plethora of speeches, articles, and biographies; nevertheless, his most informative sources were primary sources, Dr. King’s friends.  Consequently, after sitting with Andrew Young, John Lewis, and others, he concluded that Dr. King was a man of action, a man for the people, a comedic prankster, a man who often spoke of fear as well as uncertainty, and more importantly, he was a man committed to listening to God. Overall, throughout the progression of his life, Dr. King seemed to be a man driven by purpose, not popularity and prized awards.

However, today we live in a society that has been poisoned by a culture of self-proclaimed celebrities.  While social media was designed for networking and staying connected with friends, it has contributed to the cultural disease.  Social media has unexpectedly given a platform for uninformed minds to spread ignorant thoughts.  In addition, social media has caused many to see themselves as a superstar in their own little world, allowing their identity and status in the world to be determined by the amounts of “likes” or “followers” they receive on a daily basis.  Sadly, this secular culture has infiltrated the spiritual community as well.  Spiritual leaders are often more concerned with expanding their brand than with serving others.  Instead of developing as a servant leader based upon the example of Christ, we have resorted to serving our own interests.  We see people as a means to our predetermined ends rather than an opportunity to serve with Christ-like compassion and love.  Dr. King was a good example for spiritual leaders today.  For me personally, Dr. King’s role as a spiritual leader, as told to me from the creditable perspective of Mr. Oyelowo, truly inspired me to steadfastly pursue God’s will for my life and the ministry He has entrusted to me.

Here’s why!  Consider Dr. King’s life in the year 1965.  During this time, Dr. King was at the pinnacle of his extraordinary career.  He had given his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, as well as received the coveted Noble Peace Prize.  Furthermore, Dr. King had been offered a position in the White House by President Lyndon B. Johnson to promote his “Great Society” agenda, which focused on combating poverty.  Yet, with all this fame and notoriety, Dr. King chose to come to Selma because it was the ideal place to continue to serve the people, as well as to fulfill his divine mission.  He like Moses, by faith, chose to suffer affliction with his people rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin (note: Hebrews 11:24 – 25).  What happened to this type of leader?  Where can we find this selfless spiritual leadership today?  Well, it’s not on “Preachers of LA”!!  If Dr. King had a twitter account, how would he use it?  To promote himself or the God who called him?  If he had Facebook, would he seek to challenge us or to condone us?  If he had Instagram, would it be full of selfies or service to humanity?

So, I asked Mr. Oyelowo, “What advice do you think Dr. King would give to spiritual leaders in 2015?”  His reply was simple but profound.  He said, “Spiritual leaders should hear God!  Whenever spiritual leaders fail to listen to God, they are bound to fail.”  Dr. King felt passionately about hearing God’s voice so that he wouldn’t subsume to the distractive voices of the enemy attempting to pull him away from his calling.  Those voices calling him to choose paparazzi over purpose.  Those voices beckoning him to seek self-promotion rather than uplifting his brother.  Those voices trying to detour him from the hard road of service to a smooth highway of fame.  If leaders focus on listening to God and fulfilling His purpose, His voice will drown out the demons seeking to destroy us through self-glorification.  We must commit to hearing God so that we can do His will on the earth.  Charles Wesley’s hymn should still be the anthem of spiritual leaders.  He wrote, “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never dying soul to save and fit it for the sky.  To serve this present age my calling to fulfill, oh may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!!”  So here is the advice for servant leaders….Hear God, Do His will, Serve His people!!!  He will do the promoting, if you do the serving!!  What do you think?


16 Comments
Ebony Flake link
1/21/2015 04:49:32 am

Profound words, Pastor Culliver. A powerful call to action. Thank You.

Reply
Carlos Booker
1/21/2015 05:24:08 am

So true, as spiritual leaders, we must hear God voice even amongst the clutter and be willing to obey Gods voice at all cost. Be blessed!

Reply
Sabrina P Kidd
1/21/2015 05:57:15 am

Amen and well stated. I want to leave this world serving God and mankind. It WILL NEVER EVER be about me. Only about GOD!!!

Reply
Tonya
1/21/2015 06:08:50 am

Preach! Oh how I enjoyed reading this blog! Not only because it appeared to step on toes, but because there is definitely a message there for me. So often we lose our focus and become drowned with all of the daily humdrum around us, struggling to stay afloat and be effective at the same time. I am reminded and memory refreshed of how to be the servant God wants of me - Listen.....listen to the Master of all things! Thanks, Dion!

Reply
Martina Stovall
1/21/2015 06:44:56 am

Wow!! Very powerful!! Great Post! This post really spoke to me! Honestly, it brought my heart back "home". Thank you! I needed this!

Reply
Raphael Pierce
1/21/2015 06:54:49 am

Amen. A thought provoking and effective message for all to consider on this MLK holiday week. Blessings to you Dion. Keep on preaching, teaching, and leading by example my brother!!

Reply
juanita
1/21/2015 06:55:43 am

To God be the glory!!!! Keep letting God use you. For a young pastor your best have yet to come.

Reply
MARION
1/21/2015 07:33:34 am

SPEECHLESS! AWESOME POST! #PRESSON

Reply
Toria
1/21/2015 08:01:45 am

Powerful message!!!

Reply
Marcus A. Williams
1/21/2015 10:14:28 am

Awesome analogy, and words! That 'voice'; I identify personally about dealing with the 'distractive voices' of the enemy. But God...it takes regular intimacy with God through prayer to become familiar with the 'sound' of His voice. Thankyou Pastor for this timely message to 'me'. May God continue to use you to educate, as He elevates you to understand and spread Divine wisdom in a dark world. May God continue to bless, and keep you is my prayer....

Reply
Orlando Mark Gandy
1/21/2015 11:16:22 am

Pastor, I agree with you 100%; It's as if the people of God has lost their focus on ministry and christian living.
Getting caught up in the self fame of their very own minds. We as leaders must stay focus on Christ Jesus.

Reply
Pamela Green
1/21/2015 01:34:36 pm

Powerful message!!! Keep them coming!

Reply
Mildred
1/21/2015 05:50:58 pm

Pastor ODC, I pray that you will continue to write and open the eyes of God's people. It takes wholehearted dedicated leaders to lead God's people effectively. Thank God for Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy. God has spoken, Jesus Christ is our true example.

We must continue to pray for our spiritual leaders daily. Until they become committed to the will of God and get into the word of God, their agenda's will always be centered on self-glorification. John 12:32 say: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Our main focus should be Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary. When you know who you are in Christ, you don't have to try and make a name for yourself. You will know that you are a servant of the Most High and you will not mind serving God's people.

Reply
Hazel Cunningham
1/22/2015 02:14:45 am

Very inspirational and encouraging to say the least.

Reply
Pastor Brian Johnson
1/23/2015 01:07:08 am

Wow!! What a blog!! We at Amity are reading the book "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby... Knowing and doing the will of God should be our ultimate goal!! He says that people are naturally self centered and not Christ centered... Just like you're saying about MLK and I agree totally agree with you for Spiritual Leaders, Hear God!!! Bless you Brother, keep hearing God and Doing his will...

Reply
Pastor Darrell Lindsey
1/25/2015 01:46:52 pm

Wow! Reverend, that was truly inspiring. The way you broke down the whole social media movement was phenomenal! My wife and I thought the movie and actors were great. Keep up the good work. Great Blog

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2021
    May 2019
    December 2016
    October 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    Author

    Pastor ODC is the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Church in Selma, AL and a graduate of Beeson Divinity School.  He is a biblical scholar/student with social consciousness that challenges society to examine itself in light of the scripture.  He also encourages believers to fulfill their divine purpose to the glory of God.  His writing is compelling, convicting, and challenging.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

ETS

ETS

Blog

Blog

ODC TV

ODC TV

SW 1st Vice
SW 2nd Vice
Picture
Copyright © 2015