Following Is Leading.

When I was a little girl and someone asked me what I wanted to be for the Kingdom, I never said, “I want to be a follower!” No, every child wants to grow up and “be a leader!” We are raised with this mindset. Our culture perpetuates it. Seek out leadership positions. Be louder than all the other voices in the crowd. Second place is the first loser. Following is weak. Leadership is strong. Leadership is achieved, earned, sought after with dedication and constant perseverance. No one talks about how hard they work to be a follower.

But think about how the New Testament addresses this:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt. 16.24).

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8.12).

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10.4).

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matt. 7.13).

“If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (Matt. 15.14).

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray” (1 John 3.7).

The majority of the references to humans leading in the New Testament have a negative connotation. The references to humans following are, for the most part, positive. Not only that, but we are commanded to follow. There is no place in scripture where we are commanded to “be leaders!” We are ultimately called to lead by following Christ. That isn’t loud and flashy and popular, but it’s right. The best kind of leadership that we can embody is found in our willingness to follow the Lord before we do anything else. That’s conducive to natural and unaffected leadership, that is lacking in arrogance and abundant in joy.

Lead by following. The very idea is wrought with humility. And since Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even to death on a cross,” I’d say that’s a noble attitude to assume.

God,

Teach us to seek You first, before any earthly leadership position. Help us to remember that You will do the leading, and if you choose to lead us leadership opportunities, we will follow You there and be blessed by them. Thank you for loving us, and for being the Good Shepherd for us to follow home. We love you.

Through Jesus,

Amen.

Erin E. Daugherty, Abilene Christian University

Take Care of Your Spark Plugs

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

Stephenville, Texas