STAYING IN THE RIGHT JUNGLE

Stephen R. Covey, on his tape Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,
told the following anecdote. Crews were clearing a jungle for development
and were moving along at a great rate. However, the leader of the operation
climbed to the top of the tree canopy to apprise the situation and to his
horror realized that they were working in the wrong jungle. He screamed at
the top of his lungs to his people below, "Stop! We're in the wrong jungle!"
The people below looked up and answered, "No! We're making progress!"

Without good leadership the church can be extremely busy but "working in
the wrong jungle." In Acts chapter six, we are given an illustration of good
leadership. As the church grew there were problems that arose. One was the
distribution of benevolence; it seems the Hellenist widows, those from
outside Judea, were being slighted. A complaint was made to the apostles who
responded, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and
serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the
ministry of the word." (Acts 6:2-4). It would have been very simple for the
apostles to take care of the problem themselves, however to do so they would
have been working in the "wrong jungle." Their focus needed to be on
spirit! ual matters. Good leadership will not let itself get bogged down with
business in the "wrong jungle" but will keep those they lead focused on the
right path.

As a church we must be continually aware that it is easy to stray off
into the "wrong jungle." We can be extremely busy but not with priority
matters. Good leadership will keep us in the right jungle and focused upon
the important matters. Thank God for good leaders.