Upper Cane Creek Church Happenings: July 2012

Matthew 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

After Jesus was crucified and had come forth from the tomb, He appeared to the disciples several times over a period of forty days. John records in chapter 21 of his Gospel, that, when Jesus appeared to them the third time, He ate a meal of bread and fish with them. Then John tells us, starting in verse 15, “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” Remembering the words of Paul in 2^nd Timothy 3:16-17 (“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”), I would like to take a few minutes to talk about the role of church leaders.

During His time on Earth, Jesus spent a lot of time preparing His disciples to be Shepherds for His sheep. But, like too many church “leaders” today, the disciples began to show a competitive spirit, as seen in Luke 9:46 (“there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest”). But Jesus said, in Mark 10:42-43: “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.” He did not mean that the “great among you” would be your Preacher or Pastor. The word “minister” used in that verse was the Greek word “Dee-Ak’-On-Os” that literally means “servant” or “waiter” as in “one who serves at a table”. We get our word “Deacon” from that word. Continuing in verse 44, John records that Jesus said, “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus demonstrated this in Matthew 14, verse 19: “And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” Jesus was teaching them, and us, that the true Shepherd is there for the express purpose of protecting and caring for the sheep. He was teaching them, and us, to be Servant Leaders.

Christian leaders are not called to rule over the church, no matter what position they hold, or what title they may be given. They are called to lead by serving. They should not appear to be in competition but they should work together in caring for the church.

Peter taught this when he instructed the elders in 1^st Peter 5:2-3: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” Those who serve in leadership roles must not do it “by constraint”, that is, not because there is some sort of pressure on them to do it. Neither should we serve simply as a way of making a living. Finally, Peter warned against being a lord over the church, saying that we should serve as an example to the church.

If we are truly called to be leaders within the church, we must follow the example set for us by Jesus. The way Jesus led must be the way we lead. Jesus described this kind of leadership in John 10:2-4 when He said, “…he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” In this example, Jesus teaches us that the leader knows the ones being led and the ones being led know their leader. This tells us that true Christian leadership is based on a personal relationship and cannot be accomplished from a distance.

We serve God’s people by teaching them God’s Word, by encouraging them, by praying for them and by setting a holy example. Paul wrote to Timothy in 1^st Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” This was to be a primary goal of Timothy’s ministry.

He also instructed him in 1^st Timothy 4:6, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister (There’s that word “Dee-Ak’-On-Os” again!) of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” For our ministry/leadership to be effective and God-centered, we must be careful to follow God’s word and to live the doctrines we are teaching to others.

Paul told Timothy that he should always serve humbly, “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2^nd Timothy 2:23-25). He also told him, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). The key words in these verses are “be gentle” and “with all longsuffering.” The true servant/leader is one who is gentle, patient, humble, and longsuffering in his feeding and caring for God’s flock.

People need to see that their leaders really care, not just FOR them, but ABOUT them. They need to see visible expressions of love. This is best done by following Jesus’ example of humble, self-sacrificing, servanthood. If we strive to accomplish this, we will see people draw closer to our Lord.

Finally, we must realize that church leaders are not the “Head” of the church! The Bible states clearly that Jesus is the head and the rest of us constitute His body. Colossians 1:18 states that Jesus is “the head of the body, the church”. 1^st Corinthians 12: 27 says, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” If church leaders are not the head, then what part of the body are we? WE ARE THE FEET! Romans 10:15 says, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.” The feet support the body and move it wherever the head wants it to go. That is what leadership is all about.

Hebrews 13:17 speaks of leaders as those who “watch for your souls, as they that must give account.” We are accountable to God for how we perform as leaders; how carefully we teach; what kind of an example we provide. Speaking through Jeremiah, God said, “I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

May our leadership always be according to God’s heart!

Chuck Jaggers, Pastor, Upper Cane Creek Church

Upper Cane Creek Church Happenings

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

REVIVAL !

Are You a Church "Leader"?