Dr Kevin Blackwell

The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem through the leadership of Nehemiah is one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible. In 52 days, he traveled home from a foreign land, surveyed the dire situation, developed a strategy, motivated the people, and finished the project. While I don’t pretend to know your church’s situation, I can almost guarantee you that it is not as dire as what Nehemiah found when he arrived in Jerusalem. He explained the situation succinctly, “Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire” (Neh. 2:17).  The friends who gave him the initial news describe the situation in an even worse way, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire” (Neh. 1:3).  As a pastor who has led a church through revitalization, I gained much wisdom from Nehemiah’s leadership. What can church leaders learn from Nehemiah as they seek to turn their plateaued or declining church toward revitalization? Here are 12 lessons that were a great encouragement to me.

1. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Spiritual. Neh. 1:4, “I mourned, fasted, and prayed for days.” Nehemiah responded to his difficulties spiritually. This is certainly reflected in his prayer upon hearing the news of Jerusalem’s shame, (Neh. 1:5-11). Church revitalization is a spiritual battle first. A pastor seeking to lead his church in a revitalization process must spend more time in the prayer closet than in the board room. Meet with God, deeply, viscerally, and allow him to do a work in you before he does a work in the church. Spiritual leadership involves growth in the leader that precedes growth in the organization. God wants to do something in you before he does something through you.
2.  Nehemiah’s Leadership was Courageous. Neh. 2:4-5. His countenance before the King was sad and he took a risk to share his burden for Jerusalem. Courageous leadership will always involve difficult conversations and stepping out on faith to help church members see the reality of their situation.
3. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Bold. Neh. 2: 7-8. His request to the King was bold. He not only asked for permission to go but also letters of clearance and materials for rebuilding. I have never known of a church that was revitalized that did not have a leader with boldness. At times we have to step out in bold faith to accomplish the task before us.
4. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Informed. Neh. 2:11-15. If a leader is going to develop a strategy to revitalize a church, the leader must spend time understanding the situation. Nehemiah went out on the night he arrived to see the destruction for himself. We cannot develop a leadership vision or strategy for revitalization until we accurately comprehend the needs.  Spend adequate time having conversations, understanding the history of the church, examining the recent year’s decline, and asking good questions.
5. Nehemiah’s Leadership involved a Communicated Vision. Neh. 2:16-18. After he had inspected the situation for himself, he brought a team of people together and communicated an inspiring vision.  Give them the facts -> Guide them Spiritually -> Motivate them personally. People will follow a leader who is a good communicator, offers a well-informed and compelling vision, and motivates others to follow. Notice the people’s response, “Yes, let us rebuild the wall. So they began the good work.” V. 18b.
6. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Strategic. Neh. 3. Every citizen of Jerusalem was involved in the work of rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah assigned sections of the wall to people who had a vested interest in that particular section. They began with the Sheep’s Gate on purpose and even the High Priest and Levites grabbed hammers, shovels, and picks. The job involved almost 3 miles of construction. Revitalization allows people to serve in the process according to their gifts, interests, and passions.  We see throughout the third chapter the term “next to them” which means that the people worked shoulder to shoulder in unity until the job was done. A great leader inspires unity to accomplish a purpose.
7. Nehemiah’s Leadership Overcame Adversity. Neh. 4. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked and threatened the people as they worked. Nehemiah overcame adversity through prayer (Vv.4-5). He then prepared his people for adversity (Vv.12-14). Finally, he inspired his people to continue despite the threats. (Vv.17-18). A tool in one hand and a weapon in the other! 100% of church revitalization involves adversity, and sometimes it is severe. There might even be those who mock a pastor’s leadership and strategy, yet good leadership overcomes adversity.
8. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Relentless. Neh. 4:21-23. Nehemiah did not only tell his people what to do, he worked next to them. Church revitalization will involve times of exhausting work. Church leaders should never ask their people to do something they are not willing to do themselves. Leaders are never behind pushing; they are always in front setting the pace, providing an example to follow.
9. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Compassionate. Neh. 5:1-6. He listened to those who were being negatively impacted and acted. This may involve difficult conversations. We are never more like Jesus than when we show compassion for those in need. A church revitalization leader never loses sight of the importance of ministry compassion. Rebuilding the ministry can never come at the expense of those you serve.
10. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Sacrificial. Neh. 5:14-18. Though he could have taken funds from the treasury to pay for the cost of feeding so many people, he chose to use his own money. Leading church revitalization involves personal sacrifice. If a leader does not sacrifice time, money, or emotion in their ministry they are likely not leading well. The people we are leading will be more compelled to follow a sacrificial leader.
11. Nehemiah’s Leadership was Focused. Neh. 6:3. Even though his critics sought a meeting with him, he refused to stop the work that God had called him to do. When we are focused on the calling of revitalization, we can tune out the negative voices. It is not a task of wimps. There will be those who are antagonistic, and they might even threaten you. You, however, must rely on God, stick with the plan, and keep loving, preaching, serving, and reaching. Don’t allow the enemy to keep you occupied with things that do not matter.
12. Nehemiah’s Leadership was driven by Holiness. Neh. 8:9-10. After everything was finished Nehemiah and Ezra gathered the people together for a time of recommitment. They recommitted themselves to God’s Word, confessed sin, and purified themselves for God’s purposes. Driven leaders are at risk of focusing so much on the task, that they forget the importance of celebrating victories and pointing people to the holiness and worthiness of God. After all, he is the one who does the revitalization. Nehemiah never took credit for the work, and neither should the church leader.