If someone gave your congregation an evaluation on how it encourages its shepherd leaders, or anyone in leadership for that matter, how would it rate? Every church needs spiritual leadership. Leaders are to a church what spark plugs are to a car engine. I love to read Philemon 6-7. Paul praises Philemon for being a spark plug in the Colossian church. With fondness he reflects on Philemon’s ministry as one that “refreshed the hearts of the saints.” But, I’ve often wondered, “Who refreshed Philemon?” I’m sure there were people who filled his cup and encouraged his heart. Who were they?
Ask any elder in the body of Christ and he will tell you that being an elder is the highest calling he has ever answered. After twenty six years of watching elders “eld” the one thing I’ve heard them say more than any other is, “People see us sometimes as more than human. People assume that our need for encouragement, prayer and nurturing fellowship somehow evaporated when we became elders (not to mention their families). Nothing ever gets to us. We’re ten foot tall in the Spirit and bullet proof!”
Anyone who has ever answered the call to serve a body of Christ knows it’s not for the faint of heart. Leadership can be burdensome and lonely. These special servants have needs and hurts. They struggle with fears and questions that weigh on their hearts and keep them up nights. They have bouts of weakness and can be overwhelmed by feelings of ineptness. Like Elijah of old they cry out, “Lord! What in the world am I doing…here!?”
Truth is, most churches aren’t so good at caring for those whom they call to ministry. Common sense tells us to pay attention on this matter. Scripture does, too. I like 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. It reads: We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
I saw something the other night that brought a tear to my eye. Some brethren came to an elders’ meeting unannounced. They didn’t come with requests, a crisis or an urgent ministry idea. They came to do ministry. They prayed with our elders. I have to confess; it’s the first time in years I’ve seen that done in our congregation. The prayer was rich and heartfelt. Tears flowed. Hugs were generous. And, only God knows how much ministry was done in their hearts.
I thought about the touching scene recorded at the end of Acts chapter 20. We know Acts 20:28. We quote it all the time when we select elders. But, we need to finish the chapter! Paul exhorts the Ephesian elders one last time and then says goodbye to them. They cry and embrace one another. Then, they kneel and pray together. What a touching scene! Too Norman Rockwell? Too romantic? I don’t think so. It’s a snapshot of what the relationship between shepherds and sheep should be.
They need us. We need them. And, Satan knows that. That’s why he cunningly works to destroy the intimacy, peace, and playfulness that the Holy Spirit so earnestly desires to create within every congregation. We can do a better job as a congregation and,…we will.
How’s it going in your church? What ministry can you bring to those who lead you in the Spirit? I can still hear Paul. Can you? “I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.”
O Father, bless us with the kind of sight and hearing in our hearts that make us sensitive to the needs of those who lead us in the ways of the Spirit. As you encourage us, may we encourage them. Thank you for men and women around the world who give their time, interests, gifts, compassion, understanding and wisdom to help us be what you have called us to be in your Son. Amen.
Randy Daugherty
Randy I love your thoughts on this subject. Thanks for sharing how the few were called out to minister to the leaders. How powerful was that! Thanks for this post.
ReplyDelete