By David ReayWednesday 20 Jul 2016LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read Hebrews 13:17
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (NIV)
When you get talking to church members, issues with the leadership of the church often arise. When you get talking to church leaders, difficulties with church members are often the topic of conversation.
The leaders and the led each have obligations. Leaders need to be servant-like, humble, not closet controllers or micromanagers, not bullies, not ‘know-it-alls’. Then again, as our text reminds us, those who are led have their own responsibilities.
Whether we like it or not, we are all under some sort of human authority. Churches are not mini-democracies where everyone does their own thing. Leaders have a significant responsibility to care for the people of God. And those people have a significant responsibility to care for their leaders.
Leadership of a church can be a source of both delight and despair because one imperfect person is trying to care for lots of other imperfect people. Leaders can make it harder by not following the model of Jesus but rather the latest management textbook. Those being led can make it harder by disrespecting the leader. And, as our text points out, that not only harms the leader but also those doing the disrespecting.
A church where the leader and the led are out of harmony is not a pleasant place to be. If the leader wants to win his or her own way at all costs, or if the people want to win their own way at all costs, everyone loses.
Blessings
David Reay