When individuals agree to serve the Lord in an official capacity by serving as leaders in a local congregation, what becomes their reward? I can tell you from personal experience, it includes a lot of grief, suffering, complaining, and ear bending (I mean listening). Many in the local flock interpret local leadership positions as license to complain, to discourage, and to manipulate in an attempt to get only what they want from local resources. These ideas often lead to frustration, to consternation, and to burn out of local leadership.
As we install additional leadership this morning to help meet the needs of our congregation and its members, and to improve our outreach to the Lumberton community around us, I beseech (old 50 cent word, how about plead with) our flock, myself included, to ENCOURAGE our leaders and strive to be a personal blessing to them, and not just another need to be attended to. Every member of the flock should PRAY DAILY for our elders and deacons, for success in serving the Lord our God, ministering to the body of Christ, and meeting the needs of the local congregants. It takes a village, and we are all in this together, following the commands of Jesus, the Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Now, when the call for help and volunteers comes, which we all know has come, is here, and is coming again (kind of like Jesus, heh?), resolve to help our local leaders succeed in their service to God. Where he leads, we follow, but only He knows where we will end up with any given service project or outreach program.
So, Love the Lord Our God with Everything You’ve Got! That is all.
Grace & Peace, Charles.