Follow the leader

Read Hebrews 13:17

Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership,not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? (THE MESSAGE)

In many spheres of life there is a reluctance from people to take on leadership. Many are prepared to help out,but not many lead. Not ignoring the opposite extreme: some push and barge their way into leadership. Ordering people around is their life calling!

Leadership in the church has special challenges. It does embrace a significant authority and carries great responsibilities. Yet it is to be carried out in a servant-like way. It is not about personal power or prestige: it is about opportunities to care for others and honour God.

These are great enough challenges without others making it harder. Leadership is hard enough without people making it more burdensome by refusing to listen to and respond to the leader. Anyone accountable to any sort of leader has to forgo some of his or her rights and freedoms. This is not always easy and not always graciously done.

Of course leaders have reciprocal responsibilities. As this text reminds us,leaders are watching over people (literally ‘losing sleep’). As they are concerned for the people’s welfare,so the people are to be concerned for their welfare. An unhappy and oppressed leader makes for an unsettled and dysfunctional people.

Wise leaders don’t boss their people around or demand obedience merely because of their position. Their way of life is all-important. Wise followers will respect their leader and be responsive to his or her teaching and example. Their way of life,too,is all-important.

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Blessings
David Reay