4/20/2017 0 Comments LeadingTo the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:1-4
One of the devotionals I read this week featured 1 Peter 5. Whenever I read this verse, I feel the immense pressure of being an elder at my own church. At once, this verse compels me to be both a shiny example and to hide from unwanted scrutiny. I was ordained as an elder in the church almost 17 years ago. The times I served on the session were both tumultuous and satisfying. Our small church was and is always on the edge of extinction, the elders never serve an easy term. My willing, eagerness to serve the church didn’t end with my two terms on the session. I have taught Sunday school for years. I started and facilitated a women’s bible study that continues to this day. My husband and I served as the youth leaders. I even served as the president, secretary, and treasurer of the woman’s group simultaneously (that is not an experience I ever want to repeat). I haven’t listed these past activities to brag or call attention to the ways I have helped in the past (I actually think that they point to a person that has difficulties saying no – classic codependent behavior), I have listed them to point out what several small efforts over several years can look like when it is compiled together. I tried to serve each part of the church with a willing and eager heart and in the full knowledge that I was not perfect just chosen. Inevitably, I would leave each situation awed by the people I was allowed to assist, afraid that my efforts weren’t enough, humbled by my small contribution, and wanting to do more. How could someone like me truly measure up to the great responsibility that God had given me? Alone, my efforts were meager; but when they were added to actions of those around me, great things were and are always possible. A thousand tiny ants working in unison can build fantastic structures underground. A small group of faithful believers with a Christ centered goal, can change the world. That is how the early church got started. But just like anything that is still on this side of eternity, ego and attitude can greatly affect the outcome and direction of an outreach. When my church decided to remodel the fellowship hall into a more usable space, everyone had an idea about the best way to go about it. The session meetings became quite heated as people bandied ideas back and forth. It seemed that no one wanted to back down or compromise. Everyone was sure that their idea was the best and everyone else should fall in line. I mean, clearly, we were the elected leaders of the church, we must hold some sort of higher moral authority and ability to do what is right, right? Hmmm…. I have written that we must give our leaders a break, they are only human; but they will be held accountable for the way they have led their flocks one day. However, there are those who use their position in a leadership role to lord it over the people that they are supposed to be leading. I think that is human nature, and I believe that is why Peter put that stipulation in his letter. We should monitor ourselves and our motivations when we do have the privilege to lead. The minute that we start to think our selves better or more worthy than the person we are sitting next to, we need to check ourselves and our thoughts. It’s so easy to led flattery and past accomplishments fill our head with grandiose ideations, but we must never lose track of the fact that everyone we serve with is serving the same God, and they might just possess the next big idea, testimony, or talent that will transform our world. When we walk around with a manner of spiritual superiority sniffing the rarified air at the top of our mountain peak, we often stomp on the people we are in charge of. The people we have been assigned to help, heal, and look after become the stepping stones on our climb to greatness. And that is never what God intended leaders to be like. If I ever succumb to a moment of haughtiness, I stop myself and remember Jesus washing the disciples’ feet that story in the bible always gets to me. I can’t stand stinky feet, nasty toenails, or hairy toes; and I have a feeling that all of those items were present in abundance before the last supper. They lived in a desert, wore sandals, and didn’t have odor-eaters. Man-scaping wasn’t really a thing back then and I’m not sure that toenail clippers had even been invented. I cringe just thinking about how icky that must have been. But Jesus, our perfect Lord, stooped down and washed the dirt, filth, and stench off of each disciples’ foot. He didn’t hold himself away from the gross task of washing the daily grime and goo from their feet even though the fragrance was a probably a little pungent. Twenty-four dusty, tired soles entered; twenty-four clean feet walked out. That is what leadership is all about. It’s not exalting oneself above the little people, it’s helping the little people become great people so they can accomplish the most good. Everyone can make a difference. A good leader recognizes the strengths of those around him or her and helps the other reach a potential they never thought they had. To work in conjunction with fellow believers is a fantastic feeling. The opportunity to lead is awe inspiring. But the command to serve is what takes my breath away. And serving with a haughty heart isn’t really possible.
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AuthorI am a Christian, a wife, a mom, and a part-time basket case who wants to be a full time writer.
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