What are our guiding principles and values for the Leaders of Faith Foundation?
Senator James Lankford, a wonderful friend of the US Senate Prayer Breakfast Group, states that there is a common belief that the pressure of Washington changes people after they are elected.
After serving there for over a decade, he does not believe that is true. He thinks the pressure of Washington exposes in a person’s life what was already under the surface. Members, staff, and
interns all face unique pressure in the fishbowl of Washington. When the pressure is applied, their foundation is tested. Those who have a solid family, strong faith, and fixed values will handle the pressure differently from those who do not. It doesn’t matter if you are headed to Congress, headed to a conference, or headed to college; the quality and strength of your foundation will always be exposed when pressure is applied.
This experience and challenge brings us to our first guiding principle for Leaders of Faith. How do we help leaders abide in Christ? Jesus shares at the Last Supper with His disciples instruction about a vital relationship for us as followers. The first and most important is for us as His disciples is to be rightly related to Jesus Himself (Jn 15:1-11). This becomes our marching orders for us personally but also to communicate with leaders in the government space. We are to remain, which is a key word in the Gospel of John. The greek word “meno” occurs eleven times in this chapter, forty times in the entire Gospel, and twenty-seven times in John’s epistle. What does it mean to abide (remain in Me)? It can mean, first, to accept Jesus as Savior (cf. 6:54, 56). Second, it can mean to continue or persevere in believing (8:31). Finally, it can also mean believing, loving obedience (John 15:9-10). Without faith in Him, no life through God will come to you. Simply put, we are abiding in Christ when we are with Him and He is with us. A very practical way is when I am in His Word (Scriptures) and when His Word (Scriptures) is in my life – we are “Abiding in Christ.” It is when we have the life, teachings, and example of Jesus living in and through us.
So how do we do this through Leaders of Faith? We will meet with local, state, federal, and international leaders as friends. We will speak and share with them about Jesus of Nazareth. We will spend time together with Jesus through prayer, meal, and fellowship (Acts 2:42). Our desire is that we grow together in our relationship together with Jesus and one another! We are committed to abiding in Christ and helping them in this journey.
Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Today, may you be encouraged not to carry the weight of doing everything on your own. Instead, draw near. Stay connected. Abide.