December 26—A Pearl for Today
“It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. … He must be gentle, peace loving …” (1 Tim. 3:1, 3 NLT).
GODLY LEADERS
Don has stepped in to work with the officers and leaders of several churches in crisis. We have met some very Christlike servant leaders, but unfortunately for the church and God’s kingdom, we have also met some like Diotrephes, of whom John writes the following: “I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, does not acknowledge our authority” (3 John 9 NLT). Men like Diotrephes do not acknowledge or respect God-given and appointed authority. Diotrophes is also described in 3 John 9 as one “who loves to be first among them”(NASB). It is amazing what havoc one or two Diotrephes-types can cause on a church board. God desires, as He instructs in 1 Timothy 3, that a leader be gentle and peace loving. Men like Diotrephes enjoy conflict and asserting self-imposed authority.
If you are currently a leader in a church body, please read 1 Timothy 3. Ask the Lord to shed light on any area of your life that needs to be changed, and ask God to change you into the leader He wants you to be. If you are not a leader, please read and pray according to this passage for each officer of your church body.
If you are a leader in a church, I strongly encourage you to make the following covenant with God in your relationship with the pastor.
- I will strongly recommend discipline for a board member or lay person who takes it upon himself or herself to yell at the pastor. No excuses are acceptable.
- I will ask the pastor how much time he wants for the sermon and strictly plan the worship service to adhere to his time frame.
- Even if we discuss a point of disagreement, I will remain respectful.
- I will support the pastor, pray for him, and encourage him.
- I will not criticize him to others.
- I will not undercut his authority in any way.
- If I need to approach the pastor, I will make an appointment during the week. I will write down what I need to say beforehand, being sure to approach him in a respectful manner. I know that if I am not respectful, I will cause pain to a man of God and the church of God. Such is not of the Holy Spirit, but is incited by an unholy spirit.
“The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and this is what I gave them” (Mal. 2:5 NLT).
The Christian army is the only one who attacks its own wounded.
