Management Skills Needed by Pastors

Steve Timmis co-founded The Crowded House in Sheffield, UK, in the early 2000s. It became influential for its “missional community” model—small, tightly knit house churches aimed at gospel-centered life and outreach. He was also the Chief  Executive Officer of ‘Acts 29’ after Mark Driscoll’s exit.  However his authoritarian leadership, micromanagement of others decisions led to widespread discouragement and he was first removed from the leadership of ‘Acts 29’.  People felt manipulated and unsafe and any questioning of Mark led to marginalisation or exclusion.  The Crowded House then underwent major changes.

This case illustrates how good theology and innovation don’t guarantee good leadership. Without humility, accountability, and emotional intelligence, a gospel-centered vision can become spiritually oppressive.

Minister/elders, like any leaders, benefit from developing strong management skills to effectively lead their congregations and manage church operations, including areas such as finance, communication, and volunteer coordination.  It is a concern that much ministerial training is concerned with theology and relatively little on management issues.  It is of interest that Oakhill Theological College have introduced a course to help leaders handle the management challenges of their role.  This course is being run in conjunction with Living Leadership, an organisation that helps address the need for Christian management training.

Here is an outline on why these management skills are important.  This is a further reason why it is not wise for ministry trainees to go straight from theological college to lead a church.  A period of being a ministry apprentice or a curate is a vital part of training.  Churches need not only better preachers but also better managers.

Leadership:

An ability to build good relationships is fundamental in any aspiring to be effective church leaders.

Vision and Strategy:  Minister/elders need to be able to articulate a clear vision for the church and develop strategies to achieve it and take people with them.

Delegation and Empowerment:  Effective leaders delegate tasks and empower others, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the church congregation.

Conflict Resolution:  Clergy often need to mediate disagreements and resolve conflicts within the church community.  This can be difficult especially when there is a tension between what is best for the church and your concern for an individual.  A wise leader understands that the benefit of the church must be the priority but will do all he can to lessen any damage.

Team Building:  Building a strong and supportive team of volunteers and staff is crucial for the smooth functioning of the church.  A major feature of a good leader is that people want to work closely with them and that difficult decisions are those of the leadership team.

Communication:  Clergy must be able to communicate effectively and warmly with their congregation, staff, and the wider community.  Distance and coldness definitely impairs effectiveness.

Organisational Skills:

Planning and Event Management:  Clergy often need to plan and manage events, services, and outreach activities.

Record Keeping:  Maintaining accurate records of membership, finances, and other church activities is essential.

Resource Management:  Effectively managing the church's resources, including finances, facilities, and volunteers, is crucial.

Financial Management:

Relatively few minister/elders will have all these skills. This why an ability to build close relationships with others with these skills is so important.

Budgeting and Financial Planning:  Clergy need to be able to manage the church's finances, including budgeting, fundraising, and financial reporting.

Stewardship:  Clergy should be able to promote responsible stewardship of church resources among the congregation.

Communication Skills:

Active Listening:  Clergy need to be able to listen attentively to the needs and concerns of their congregation. Those who make decisions without asking others their opinion will eventually lose support.

Empathy and Compassion:  Understanding and responding to the emotional needs of others is crucial in pastoral care. 

Public Speaking:  Clergy will need to deliver sermons, presentations, and other public addresses. The growth of a church will depend to a considerable extent on this skill to keep making these talks interesting and informative.

Community Engagement:

Building Relationships:  Leaders need to be able to build relationships with members of the congregation and the wider community. 

Outreach:  Clergy should be involved in church outreach efforts, both within the local community and beyond. 

Pastoral Care:

Counselling and Support:  Ministers often provide counselling and support to individuals and families in times of need.

Spiritual Guidance:  Ministers need to be able to offer spiritual guidance and support to their congregation.  For this reason experience of life in the real world is invaluable

Other Important Skills:

Technology Proficiency:  Ministers should be able to use technology effectively for communication, administration, and ministry. 

Conflict Resolution:  Clergy often need to mediate disagreements and resolve conflicts within the church community.

Adaptability:  The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges is important for any leader.

This list is daunting and clearly there is no-one with all these skills.  This is why an ability to attract and work within a close team of other leaders as well as explaining the reason for decisions to the church memebership is vital for the long-term growth and sustainability of the church.

There is a high incidence of burn-out and disillusionment within church leaders often because they are not coping with all the stresses of the job.  By developing their management skills, church leaders can reduce stress and have more energy to focus on their ministry.

Diotrephes is a little-known but potent Biblical example of mismanagement inthe early church. In the short letter of 3 John, the apostle John warns about him by name:

“ I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.  So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” 3 John 9–10

Diotrephes “loves to be first”, His own thinking trumped the apostles teaching about Jesus and the gospel.  He rejected visiting missionaries, and even excommunicated those who opposed him.  He used his leadership position to control rather than shepherd.  John’s rebuke is strong:

“Do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” 3 John 9:11

Even in the earliest churches, ego-driven leadership threatened a gospel-centered community. This is one of Scripture’s clearest examples of toxic church management.

‘Shepherds’

A frequent theme in the Bible is the need for shepherds of God’s sheep.

Jesus

After a busy day Jesus decided to have a rest with his disciples so they ravelled by boat to the east side of the Sea of Galilee.  However when they arrived they were welcomed by a massive crowd who had travelled by land.

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  So he began teaching them many things.” Mark 6:34

Sheep are important in the Bible because of their value.  An English sheep farmer lost two hundred sheep to rustlers.  He reckoned they were worth about £30,000.  This would be why the shepherd in Luke 15 left the ninety-nine sheep and went to look for the one sheep that had gone astray,

The Bible is clear that all human beings matter to God.  Only in atheist and idolatrous regimes are people disposable.  Any regime that does not care for people is almost certainly not God-fearing, whatever their claim.  How much more valuable are those people who belong to the Lord

It matters very much to God when sheep are scattered and lost.  It matters to God when shepherds are hirelings who, when wolves and problems occur, make themselves false.  It matters too when shepherds don’t share Jesus’ objective and are not bothered to search for lost sheep.  Sheep do not care if a fellow sheep is lost.  In our churches there are now many amiable people who call themselves pastors but who have never  led anyone to faith in the Lord Jesus and do not appear to have a great desire to do so.  It is God and his shepherds who seek the lost, there is no way that men can find God, he has to find us.

C.S.Lewis describes

“Amiable agnostics who talk cheerfully about man’s search for God.”

Jesus saw shepherdless sheep who were abandoned by their false shepherds but were the object of God’s compassion.  Their plight is matched by Jesus’ great compassion.  Such pity s not a mere sentiment but a genuine concern that results in the raising up of true shepherds that follow their Lord’s example.

Shepherds in the Old Testament

The concept of ‘shepherds’ in the Old Testament is a lofty one.  There the shepherds are the kings and rulers and not the priests or prophets.

King Ahab, king of Israel, was a poor shepherd who was unable to discern what was right.  He was weak and left decisions to his wife Jezebel and unfortunately she had other agendas than helping the people ti live in a Godly way.  On one occasion Ahab wanted to know whether he and King Jehoshaphat of Judah should go to war against the king of Aram.  He first listened to ‘about four hundred’ false prophets who recommended war. When finally a true prophet, Micaiah was asked for God’s opinion Micaiah answered,

“I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master.  Let each one go home in peace.” 1 Kings 22:17

It was this phrase that came to Jesus’ mind as he saw five thousand men waiting for him.

One of Ezekiel’s prophecies beautifully expresses the responsibilities God has given to Israel’s shepherd-kings.

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them:

‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?  You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.  You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.  So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.  My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.” Ezekiel 34:1-6

Then comes the remarkable prophecy that God himself will come as the good shepherd and he will pastor his sheep.

“ I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” Ezekiel 34:15

Shepherds in the New Testament

In the New Testament shepherds are those who own the sheep, not the hirelings who look after them.  The idea of authority always clings to the role of a shepherd or pastor.  The shepherd feeds his shock but also rules at the same time.  The good shepherd, the Lord Jesus himself delegates his work of leading his people to church leaders, the presbyters, bishops, pastors or elders.

It is sometimes said, in our feminist age, that most of the teaching about church leadership comes from Paul who can be disregarded because he was a misogynist!  However Peter also gave a classic description of what true pastoring involves:

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:  shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;  not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:1-4

Elders are under-shepherds who are accountable.  Those who lead well will be well rewarded when Jesus returns, their hard work will be recognised.  Peter gives three powerful negatives to emphasise what true pastorship means.  They must exercise oversight, which means that they must lead by example as well as by what they say. This service, which will be hard work, must be done willingly.  Enthusiasm in leaders encourages people to follow.  It must not be a means of financial benefit.  It is shameful that many Christian leaders throughout the world use their role to enrich themselves.  Not only will they have to give an account to their Lord but eventually people will see through their behaviour and unfortunately many will turn their backs of the Lord. ‘Shameful game’ was obviously a problem in the early church just as it is today.  In contrast eager, enthusiastic leadership will draw many to follow the Lord.  Such enthusiastic leadership will counter the accusations that always come against leaders who, for some reason, come into someone’s bad books..

It is not an easy role to balance strong leadership which people will follow from being over-dominant which can stifle an every member ministry.

Such godly leaders are desperately needed today.  One of the responsibilities of good leaders is to identify those who have the gifts and inclination to be future church leaders. An urgent commitment to evangelism, an ability to teach and natural leadership personalities are the characteristics we must look for.

I recently spoke at a conference for the Armed Forces Christian Union which was attended by Christian officers from the army, navy and airforce.  What was striking was that those officers had clearly been selected because of their leadership skills.  It is not enough to select leaders because of their orthodox theology or love of theology, they must love people and be able to lead them into living for the Lord Jesus.

Some may query, ‘But cannot god use anyone who has his spirit?’  Of course God is God and can do anything but he has chosen to use means and has gifted certain people to be leaders.  If a person feels God is calling them to a leadership role the evidence of their leadership skill and inclination and ability to win others for Christ and train them in discipleship will be apparent.  We must be wise who we encourage to be leaders.  Didn’t Paul warn timothy,

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” 1 Timothy 5:22

The valuable sheep are wandering off all around us, they are lost.  The shepherds, the rulers, have a responsibility not just to go after the lost sheep themselves, to be an example, but then to encourage all Christians to join them in the search.  They will need to be taught how to do this!  A shepherd must feed, by teaching what God says in his Word, and by giving a strong lead.

BVP

Ezekiel 34 Failing Shepherds

Throughout the Bible there is an emphasis on the need for good shepherds who will guide people well.  The prophet Ezekiel had much to say about the bad shepherds of his day, especially in chapter 34.

The context was that Jerusalem had finally fallen in 586BC into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king.

Ezekiel chapters 1-24 explain that God himself was behind the destruction of Jerusalem because God’s people were not longer living as God wanted, they had gone their own selfish ways.  Chapters 34-48 explain that there is hope because God will restore everything for his designated people so that it would be even better than before.

The exile was because God was putting an end to the rule of abusive kings.  It did not matter that they were physically related to King David, what God required and still does is for people to love and follow his ways.  The future will be even better for those who turn from evil to trust and follow him.

When we read these ancient accounts and try to apply them to our lives today it is important that we  understand the context and get close to understanding what the original message was with as little adjustment as possible.  The kings were known as the shepherds of Israel but the term also applied to other leaders.  God had seen that some of his countrymen enjoyed listening to Ezekiel, they were saying to each other:

“‘Come and hear the message that comes from the LORD.’  My people come to you, as they usually do and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice.  With their mouths they express devotion but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.  Indeed to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.” Ezekiel 33:30-32

There is no doubt what Ezekiel was teaching, he taught only ‘The Word of the LORD’ .  This phrase comes no less than 62 times in the book of Ezekiel alone.

Who are the shepherds Ezekiel is referring to?

Since the days of the good king Josiah there had been four wretched, selfish kings of Israel. Josiah’s three children were Jehoahaz (Eliakin), Jehoiakin, and Zedekiah (Matthaniah). Jehoiakin’s son was Jehoiachin (Coniah)

Their leadership had led many people away from the Lord and the time came for God to act.

When Babylon captured Jerusalem, Zedekiah tried to escape, abandoning his people, with some of his troops.  They were captured and the king was taken to the Babylonian emperor.  There he was forced to watch the execution of his sons and then he was blinded, chained and taken away.  The exiles must have felt that the unthinkable had happened.  God’s people had been defeated and many killed.  The temple had been destroyed and there was no longer a descendant of king David ruling God’s people.  They had thought that God would protect his own.  When Ezekiel prophecies against the shepherds of Israel he could just be referring to the king who ruled but it is probable that he was addressing a wider audience of the leaders of the people.  He uses the plural whereas only one king rules at a time.

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?” Ezekiel 34:2

In the New Testament Peter uses this terminology of ‘shepherds’ for church leaders and this passage has much to say of relevance to us.  It is also relevant to those who aspire to be political leaders or leaders in companies or industry.  Good shepherds are vital if a church or any organisation is going to flourish.  God rejects those who refuse to live with and for him.

1.  The false shepherds who feed themselves not their sheep

There are several characteristics of these false shepherds but in essence God is warning us that it is so easy for those in authority to be there for their own benefit.

“You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.” Ezekiel 34:3

It is significant that in this chapter the Hebrew word for ‘to shepherd’ is the same word as ‘to feed’.  Instead of feeding others, these shepherds were feeding themselves.  The main job of a shepherd is to ensure that his sheep are well fed.  Yet these fale shepherds were taking for themselves the milk intended for the lambs, taking the wool left the sheep naked and cold and then they kill of the sheep for themselves to feed on!

They had responsibilities but what they had failed to do is made clear by the negatives in the next verse:

“You have not strengthened the weak or healed those who are ill or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” Ezekiel 34:4

These false shepherds did not care for the weak.  They did not look for and try to help those who were lost.  When the Babylonians invaded, people fled for their lives but Ezekiel’s wording suggests that his meaning is wider than just physically lost, they were also emotionally and spiritually lost.

“So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.  My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.” Ezekiel 34:5-6

The root problem was these leaders were in it for themselves.  As Lord Acton astutely pronounced,

“All power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

These leaders were not serving but self-seeking.

2.  These false shepherds are removed by God

The ‘false shepherds’ thought the sheep were theirs, but note what the Lord says,

“My sheep wandered over all the mountains”  Ezekiel 34:4

“ . . . my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered” Ezekiel 34:8

“I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. . . . I will rescue my flock from their mouths.” Ezekiel  34:10

Privileged people can so easily have a sense of entitlement and forget whose people they are to care for.  Whoever they are they are God’s tenants with responsibility to him.    They must never fleece their sheep for their own benefit.  Their failure to lead as God required will always result in their being removed and punished.  Beware of any church leader who speaks about ‘my church’.

The books of Charles Dickens are going out of favour at present, possibly because we cannot cope with the recurrent inhumanity and cruelty against underprivileged people and children.  There is a crushing desire within his books for someone who cares to show up.  Ungodly behaviour is everywhere.  It doesn’t matter if this inhumanity is in India, Ukraine, North Korea, Israel, Gaza, England or the United States, God sees how people think and behave and he will be the judge.  This judgment may be experienced partly in this life but it will certainly be eternally experienced at the final judgment that we will all have to face.  We are all warned:

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,” Hebrews 9:27

The Lord will provide his own Good Shepherd

Instead of these godless kings and self-centred leaders God himself is going to step into history and provide the Good Shepherd that people desperately need.

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.  As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” Ezekiel 4:11-12

This is a remarkable prophecy.  Ezekiel had been called by God into a prophetic ministry in July 593BC.  Yet he is able to tell us all that a Good Shepherd was going to enter this world and he would be God himself.  ‘I myself will search for my sheep’, ‘so will I look after my sheep’, ‘I will rescue them’.  Here is a God who is coming to save his people and then lead them.  The Lord is saying that he is going to replace the false shepherds with himself.  How vital this understanding is.  Christians do not follow a particularly gifted human leader in their denomination, they follow Jesus Christ.

In fact, the earliest Christian art depicts Christ as the Good Shepherd, not the crucified Savior. Often he was portrayed as a beardless youth. Surprisingly, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is still popular. In fact, early childhood education experts tell us that young children find the concept of a shepherd and his love for his sheep enchanting.

In the Old Testament God is frequently called a shepherd, and God's people the flock.  In Psalm 23 the psalmist the shepherd leads the sheep to green pastures near refreshing waters. The shepherd guides him in right paths and protects him from evil.  Ezekiel continues with this picture:

“I myself will tend my sheep and make them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.  I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” Ezekiel 34:15-16

Jesus referred to himself as a shepherd. He said,

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27

A shepherd knows his sheep well. There is a personal relationship between Jesus and his followers. Jesus knows each of us by name.  As a result of the relationship we have with him we respond to his voice and do not follow the voice of strangers who may lead us to harm.  We learn to discern the false shepherds.  Jesus said,

“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” John 10:11

Unlike a hired hand who flees to save his life, Jesus saved his flock from the wolf even though it meant sacrificing his own life.  On that cross he bore the sins of many.  This is what the whole bible teaches, for example the prophet Isaiah writing around 700BC wrote about God’s Messiah:

“Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”  Isaiah 53:12

The parable Jesus told about the lost sheep is a story about Jesus' concern and care for us sinners. He is the loving shepherd who goes to great lengths to search for his lost sheep and when he finds them, carries them back on his shoulders rejoicing.

When Jesus gave Peter the responsibility of leading his Church, he again used shepherd imagery. He told Peter,

“Feed my lambs. . . . Tend my sheep. . . . Feed my sheep” John 21:15-17

A shepherd uses a staff with a hook on the end to guide the sheep and pull back the stray. Today Jesus leads his people using ‘pastors’, a word derived from the Latin for ‘shepherds’.  We still use the word ‘pastoral’ The shepherd also has a rod to fend off wild animals that might harm the flock. Jesus saved us from the consequence of evil and enables us to live lives that honour him.

Good shepherds are filled with the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus and will help feed God’s people by teaching them how to understand and live by God’s Word.  The image of shepherds is that they are kind, loving, patient, strong, and self-sacrificing. They are a good image for Jesus. And sheep, who can be rather stupid and foolish creatures, are a good symbol for us!  A true Christian can say:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want!” Psalm 23:1

Application of Ezekiel’s message for today

In Ezekiel’s time the application was obvious.  The evil king Jehoiachin had only been king for three months when he was exiled, only to be followed by the evil Zedekiah who reigned for eleven years.  These years are summarised in 2 Kings 25.  Zedekiah’s reign was terminated by the devastating invasion by the Babylonian armies.

All people needed to be warned never to trifle with God.  Ezekiel was given the responsibility of warning people about this.  Watchmen carry an awesome responsibility.

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.  When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.  But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.”  Ezekiel 33:7-9

Leaders must warn people

To be called to lead God’s people does carry an awesome responsibility.  God’s people must speak out.  The Christian message must begin with the bad news of warning.  False shepherds just say ‘nice things’.

“Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.” Ezekiel 33:31

We all face the same problem today.  Our problem is that we are all self-centred and certainly not righteous enough to live with an all-holy God for eternity.  The Bible is clear about this and these verses are some examples of its teaching:

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God, your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

“For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities.” Isaiah 59:12

Liberal optimistic theology has failed to get the right diagnosis about mankind’s basic problem..  This is also the underlying problem with communism.  Mankind is not naturally altruistic.  How we like to think we are, at heart, decent moral people, but it is not true.  Charlie Kray, one of the Kray twins, was a gangster working in the East End of London.  At one time he was being tried in Woolwich Crown Court on a £38 million drug charge.  The defence called on some interesting character witnesses.  ‘Mad Franky Frazer’, who had himself spent 42 years in prison, was called as such a witness.  He said to the judge about Charlie Kray,

“He wouldn’t say ‘boo’ to a goose; in fact, he wouldn’t say ‘boo’ to two geese!”

At Reggie Kray’s funeral there were many hearses and horses with an abundance of flowers.  The general understanding was that the heavenly Father has room for a few rogues in heaven.  The New Testament teaches differently.  Without belonging to Christ, there is no salvation.  Our behaviour can never be good enough for a righteous God.  Sin is our deliberate rejection of him and his wants.

“Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned?  For they would not follow his ways; they did not obey his law.” Isaiah 42:24

In order to be credited with this status of being righteous in God’s eyes we have to accept Christ’s righteousness as out own by belonging to him.  The warning in Hebrews that we will all face God’s judgment has a rider which is very good news:

“. . . so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28

This has always been God’s message. God is absolutely righteous but he longs to give salvation to us sinners by giving those who turn to him his righteousness:

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

“My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 51:5

This is not a popular subject and so is seldom emphasised in churches.  How many times have you heard a minister taking a funeral assuring the family a someone who has died that, ‘They have gone to a better place’ or ‘They have gone to be with the Saviour of the world’?  In contrast we have seen that the Bible teaches:

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28

The outcome of that judgment depends on our relationship with the Lord Jesus that we have in this life.  Only those who love him, ‘who are waiting for him’ will be saved.  The apostle John kept repeating this point in his gospel,

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36

One striking example about how false shepherds within the church can twist what the Bible teaches can be seen from the use of Psalm 95.  this psalm is popularly known in Anglican and Roman Catholic circles as the ‘Venite’ from the Latin of the opening word ‘Come’.  The first seven verses of the psalm are a call to worship the living God.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD . . . For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all Gods. . .  Come let us bow down in worship . . . for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:1-7a

That is usually where the singing stops.  The reason is that the psalm then goes on to warn those who have previously professed to follow the LORD but turned away that their hardened hearts will result in judgment!

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah (means testing) in the desert, where your fathers tested me and tried me though they had seen what I did.  For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” Psalm 95:7b-11

Christians follow what the Bible teaches and so we must never be complacent, we must never drift from Christ, as our very salvation depends on him.

It is remarkable that in the Anglican ‘Alternative Service Book’, the Venite has been included in the service of morning prayer, but these last verses have been replaced by much softer words, addressed to other people, saying that they will face a judgment, instead of the actual warning which is for us, God’s people.

Peter longed for all Gods people to think clearly,

“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you.  I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.  I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Saviour through your apostles.” 2 Peter 3:1-2

How we Christians need to be reminded afresh about what God teaches us in His Word.

Leaders must practise what they preach

What a tragedy it is is keep hearing of people in senior positions in churches who have failed in one way or another.  Some leaders have succumbed to a desire to become rich.  Others succumb to sexual gratification in one way or another.  Others regard their standing to be so important that they denigrate others in the church around them.  Leadership is a tough role as there will be some in our churches who do harm the progress of the gospel.  That should always be our aim – to honour the Lord Jesus and not ourselves.

Zechariah recognised that a leader of God’s people would be appointed who used their status for their own benefit.  What is striking is that God had allowed this appointment – it was a sign of his judgment on his people:

“For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.” Zechariah 11:16

Conversely it is clear that good shepherds will care for the lost, they will be evangelistic, they will seek the young, youth work will be a priority, they will feed the those in the church by excellent expository teaching and look primarily after himself.  How striking it is that these good leadership characteristics were recognised in the 6th century BC.

The Responsibilities of All Church Leaders

All those who have been ordained in the Anglican church have committed themselves to the ministry of warning people about God’s judgment and sharing with them the hope we have because of the Lord Jesus.  Bishops have assented to this three times, first when ordained as deacons, then as presbyters and again when they became bishops.  Other denominations have similar high callings. The question needs to be asked why so many turn their backs on this oath.

The following is an extract from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. This is right at the heart of the Church of England's doctrinal basis which is summarised in the Book of Common Prayer, the Thirty Nine Articles and the Ordinal.

In the service for the ordination of presbyters the bishop says :

“Now again we exhort you, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye have in remembrance, into how high a Dignity, and to how weighty an Office and Charge ye are called: that is to say, to be Messengers, Watchmen, and Stewards of the Lord; to teach, and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family; to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever.

“Have always therefore printed in your remembrance, how great a treasure is committed to your charge. For they are the sheep of Christ, which he bought with his death, and for whom he shed his blood. The Church and Congregation whom you must serve, is his Spouse, and his Body. And if it shall happen that the same Church, or any Member thereof, do take any hurt or hindrance by reason of your negligence, ye know the greatness of the fault, and also the horrible punishment that will ensue. Wherefore consider with yourselves the end of the Ministry towards the children of God, towards the Spouse and Body of Christ; and see that ye never cease your labour, your care and diligence, until ye have done all that lieth in you, according to your bounden duty, to bring all such as are or shall be committed to your charge, unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no place left among you, either for error in religion, or for viciousness in life.

"Forasmuch then as your Office is both of so great excellency, and of so great difficulty, ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as well to show yourselves dutiful and thankful unto that Lord, who hath placed you in so high a dignity; as also to beware that neither you yourselves offend, nor be occasion that others offend. Howbeit, ye cannot have a mind and will thereto of yourselves; for that will and ability is given of God alone: therefore ye ought, and have need, to pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit. And seeing that ye cannot by any other means compass the doing of so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of the Holy Scriptures, and with a life agreeable to the same; consider how studious ye ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures, and in framing the manners both of yourselves, and of them that specially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the same Scriptures; and for this self-same cause, how ye ought to forsake and set aside, as much as ye may, all worldly cares and studies.

“We have good hope that ye have well weighed these things with yourselves, long before this time; and that ye have clearly determined, by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this Office, whereunto it hath pleased God to call you: so that, as much as lieth in you, ye will apply yourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way; and that ye will continually pray to God the Father, by the mediation of our only Saviour Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost; that, by daily reading and weighing the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger in your Ministry; and that ye may so endeavour yourselves, from time to time, to sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them after the Rule and Doctrine of Christ, that ye may be wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the people to follow.”

And here are some of the vows in the Common Worship ordination service those being ordained take regarding the Bible:

Bishop: Do you accept the Holy Scriptures as revealing all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?

Ordinands: I do so accept them.

Bishop: Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading Holy Scripture, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and fit you to bear witness to the truth of the gospel?

Ordinands: By the help of God, I will.

Bishop: Will you lead Christ’s people in proclaiming his glorious gospel, so that the good news of salvation may be heard in every place?

Ordinands: By the help of God, I will.

Bishop: Will you faithfully minister the doctrine and sacraments of Christ as the Church of England has received them, so that the people committed to your charge may be defended against error and flourish in the faith?

Ordinands: By the help of God, I will.

Such wording is in line with what the Scriptures teach.  Should not all people who are admitted to church leadership roles, whether ordination in established churches or eldership in non-conformist churches commit themselves with such words and then keep on living by them?

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The Example of ‘Elders’

In 1522 Martin Luther gave a brief, simple, but expressive eulogy about a pastor named Nicholas Haussmann. "What we preach, he lived," said the great reformer.

Paul recognised that just teaching Biblical doctrines was not enough.  People need to be able to see Christ in other people.  Others must be able to see that we really are ‘sold out’ to the cause of Christ. This is a repeated theme in his letters:

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” 1 Corinthians 9:19

Such humility!  His goal leads him to being a servant of others.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.  Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1

Paul’s longing was to win people for Christ and he knew that how he lived would influence how effective he was.  He then asks all Christians to follow his example both in his ambition and in how he hoped to achieve this.  All church leaders need to emulate this.  People meeting them and visiting their homes should know that they are in the presence of Christ’s representative.

Some may argue, ‘That was Paul, he was exceptional!’  Paul would not agree.  He says to all Christians:

“Therefore I urge you to imitate me.  For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:16-17

Paul’s way of life was as important as his teaching and now Timothy has to embody both.  It is a constant teaching in the New Testament that we must embody Christ.  No-one should be appointed as an elder just because of their standing in society, their intellect or gifting – what is needed is leaders who are passionate to further the cause of the Lord Jesus.

Paul was excited about the way the young church in Thessalonica was behaving.  He probably wrote his first letter to them in 51AD, just a year after the church had started yet he could say:

“You know how we lived among you for your sake.  You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8

How we need church leaders who are so passionate about the cause of Christ that they change the thinking and actions of others in their churches.  It is not just doctrines that matter, it is the change in ambitions and lifestyle that christ wants to see in us all.

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,  nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.  We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.” 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8

Such hard-working commitment to the cause of Jesus needs to be modelled with the expectancy that all Christians will start to live in this way.

During the Nazi occupation of his country in WWII, King Christian X of Denmark noticed a Nazi flag flying over a Danish public building. He immediately called the German commandant, demanding that the flag be taken down at once. The commandant refused.

"Then a soldier will go and take it down." said the king.

"He will be shot," threatened the commandant.

"I think not," replied the king, "for I shall be the soldier."

Within minutes the flag was taken down.

When Paul wrote to the Philippian church he reminded them that worldly thinking, even in church leaders is wrong, ‘their glory is their shame’:

“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.  For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:17-20

Christians should follow those leaders whose lives have the same priorities as Jesus and his apostles.  Paul goes on to say,

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 3:9

Christlikeness needs to be taught and caught by example.  When Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians:

“I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you.”  Galatians 4:11-12

Many years ago the communist government in China commissioned an author to write a biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the gospel. As the author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor's saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and received Jesus as his personal Saviour. Whether we realize it or not, our example leaves an impression on others.  Such are the sort of elders our churches need.

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Judges 4-6 The Need for Effective Leaders

God’s people were in dire trouble.  A group of influential people had control of the country and it appeared that God’s people were powerless to do anything.  The state of God’s people was pathetic, they no longer adhered to what God required of them and some of them were simply evil.  No-one led God’s people, they all did what seemed to be right in their own eyes.

It sounds like the church in Britain in the 21st century but actually this was a description of God’s people in ancient Israel after Joshua had led them into the Promised Land. This account is found in the Biblical book of Judges chapters 4 and 5.  The land of Israel had been captured by Jabin, king of Hazor, a large Canaanite city about fifteen miles north of the Sea of Galilee (Joshua 11:1-15).  Jabin was probably a dynastic name for the king of Hazor as many years earlier Joshua had completely routed another Jabin. This latest Jabin was a cruel ruler and he kept the Israelites suppressed with his army that included 900 iron chariots, the ancient tanks!  After twenty years of this oppression the Israelites turned back to God - they started to pray and the Lord produced the right leaders.  Just as Britain discovered before WW2, weak leadership rarely moves things forwards, at the best they manage the ‘status quo’.  The country needed the inspirational Churchill for the war, not Chamberlain!

At this time there was a prophetess named Deborah, whose name means ‘bee’, who acted as a judge of people’s problems in Israel. Traditional Jewish chronology places Deborah's 40 years as judge in Israel from 1107 BC until her death in 1067 BC. It was Deborah who realised that something had to be done to free God’s people from virtual slavery.  Israel had no standing army but Deborah called on a dynamic man, Barak, who lived in, Kadesh in Naphtali.  Kadesh was a northern city sited near Hazor and their chariots so Barak had probably experienced the Canaanite oppression more than most.  Barak means ‘thunderbolt’ and that was just the sort of leader the desperate times called for.

Why didn’t Deborah herself lead God’s people to war?  Perhaps she recognised that she was more of a pastor of God’s people and not a pugilist.  What is remarkable is that she had the foresight and humility to delegate in this way. Barak is named as one of the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:32) who at great personal risk won battles for their Lord.  How such men are needed to lead God’s people robustly today!  We have many pastors but few effective evangelists!

Deborah said to Barak,

“The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: Go take with you ten thousand men of Naphali and Zebulun and lead the way to mount Tabor.  I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon river and give him into your hands.” Judges 4:6-7

Barak agreed on the condition that Deborah went with him.  He was an enthusiastic nobody who recognised that he needed a figurehead alongside him. The need for a team of leaders with different gifts is usually needed in our churches today.

Deborah and Barak were shrewd, the iron chariots would be ineffective in the hills around Mount Tabor where there were many streams.  How Christians today need choose which battles to fight in order to win back the rule of Jesus Christ.

The following diagrams demonstrate the wisdom of Deborah and Barak.  We are not told how Deborah provoked Jabin to send Sisera, the commander of his army into this difficult hilly area, but it seems that she somehow let Sisera know where the Israelite troops were mustering.

The flat plain of the valley of  the Kishon river must have seemed to Sisera as ideal for his chariots.  However this was his undoing as the area can flood when there is heavy rainfall.  It was the Lord who bogged down Sisera’s army, leaving them helpless before Barak’s troops.  In Deborah’s subsequent song she refers to this:

“From the heavens the stars fought., from their courses they fought against Sisera.  The river Kishon swept them away, the age old river, the river Kishon.  March on my soul; be strong.” Judges 5:21

The main body of Barak’s soldiers came from the Israelite northern tribes that had been given land nearest to Hazor, the Canaanite capital.

We are then told of a man called Heber the Kenite who, with his family, had moved north.  Heber means ‘ally’ and this probably reflects the new relationship his family had with Israel Two to three generations previously a Kenite woman had married Moses and as a result the Kenites had affiliated themselves to Israel.  The name Kenite identifies them as a clan of metal workers.  It is likely that this family had later moved up to live near the Canaanites for business reasons, as the Canaanites needed metal workers for their chariots and weapons.  It could be that it was he who informed Sisera of Barak’s military movements.  Heber appears to have been acting as a double-agent.

Deborah, the ‘Bee’, encouraged Barak, ‘the thunderbolt’, to attack Jabin’s army, saying,

“Go!  This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands.” Judges 4:14

What a vital concept this was is still is for us today.  The result of our battles for Christ are ultimately in his hands.  Hasn’t Jesus similarly said to his church,

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19

Barak obeyed and the next phrase confirms that God was with him.,

“At Barak’s advance, the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword.” Judges 4:15

Sisera army was decimated. Sisera himself had to leave his chariot behind and fled on foot.  He went to the tent of the person he thought had helped him, the tent of Heber the Kenite.  He was welcomed by Jael, Heber’s wife.  Her name means ‘mountain goat’.  When he asked for water he was given milk and then he asked her to guard the tent whilst he slept.

“But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay asleep, exhausted.  She drove the tent peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.” Judges 4:21

So God’s kingdom, the ‘land of milk and honey’ was reestablished through the courageous leadership of the ‘bee’, Deborah, and the actions of Jael, the ‘mountain goat’.  The Bible is clear that Deborah, Barak and Jael were all determined to see an end to their enemies control.

Deborah’s reflections

Immediately after this dramatic victory Deborah and Barak sang a poignant song together extolling the willingness of God’s people to have been willing to get involved in the battle at risk to themselves.  It starts by emphasising the role of the leaders:

“When the princes of Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves – praise the LORD” Judges 5:2

They then immediately recognise that it was in fact the Lord who gave them this victory,

“Hear this, you kings!  Listen you rulers!  I will sing to the LORD, I will sing.  I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.  O LORD, when you went out from Seir . . . the earth shook, the heavens poured down water.  The mountains quaked before the Lord, the one of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.” Judges 5:3-5

Deborah and Barak want everyone to recognise the power of the LORD, both the affluent and the poor:

“You who ride on white donkeys, sitting on your saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road, consider the voice of the singers at the watering places.  They recite the righteous acts of the LORD, the righteous acts of his warriors in Israel.” Judges 5:10

They recalled that both the leaders and the people needed to get up and become active again, just as they had been in Joshua’s day.  Significantly it was the ordinary people who pleaded with the leaders to do something

“Then the people of the LORD went down to the city gates. ‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah!  Wake up, wake up, break out in song!  Arise O Barak!’” Judges 5:12

How we need to see this today.  Ordinary Christians need to keep saying to our Archbishops, Popes Cardinals, Bishops, Vicars, clergy, pastors and elders, ‘Wake up, we are being overrun.  We need to be led.”

What happened when the appeal went out was thrilling.  Men came, with their tribal leaders, from Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh (Makir, the word used here probably refers to East and West Manasseh) and from Zebulun and Issachar.  They were the people who saw the victory.

Yet the song then reflects on a deep problem.  When the appeal for soldiers went out there were some who simply said ‘We’ll think about it!’ but did nothing:

“In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.  Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks?  In the district of Reuben there was much searching of heart.  Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan.  And Dan, why did he linger by the ships?  Asher remained on the coast and stayed in his coves.” Judges 5:15b-17

The apathy of these tribes is highlighted by reminding everyone of those who were faithful:

“The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the heights of the field.” Judges 5:18

This attack on those who refused to get involved then becomes stronger:

“‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the LORD. ‘Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.” Judges 5:23

Meroz was an Israelite town in Naphtali.  They were cursed.  They said they believed in the God of Israel but would do nothing to support his cause.  How many people in Britain today will call themselves Christians but do very little to demonstrate that they belong to the LORD Jesus and his church, they don’t battle to glorify him though they may ‘think about it’!

Much later, in Isaiah’s time, in the 8th century BC, some of God’s people are severely criticised for having just an external form of religion, they sang to God but would not serve him sacrificially.  They overlooked the fact that God knows everything that we think and do.

“The LORD says, ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.  Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish,  the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”  You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!  Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”?  Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”? Isaiah 29:13-16

That was not the end of the story for those tribes who preferred to ‘think about getting involved’ but failed to do so.  Forty years later God’speople forgot that their duty was to serve their Lord.  Consequently another kingdom, the Midianites aided by the Amorites, invaded and again God’s people were subjugated to an oppressive regime.  The invaders repeatedly came and ruined their crops and stole their sheep, cattle and donkeys.  Again the Israelites prayed and a prophet bravely reminded them of God’s word to them,

“I am the LORD your God; do not worship the God’s of the Amorites, in whose land you live.  But you have not listened to me.” Judges 6:10

It was then that an angel of the Lord visited Gideon who 

Praise God for those leaders of God’s people, those elders, who are encouraging, training and mobilising God’s people to be active in their service of Christ.

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Acts 20:17-38 Lessons for Leaders

An Anglican vicar visited our church and was chatting after a morning service.  He explained that his job was to look after a group of five village parishes but added that he had other ministers to help him.  I queried what he meant by ‘other ministers’ and he replied that these were other clergymen.  This led on to a discussion about whether all Christians were meant to be ministers for Christ.

“But isn’t there a difference between the ordained ministry and the laity?”

“Not really, all Christians should minister to others, it is just we have different roles.  In the New Testament the Greek word laos is used of all the people of God, whether apostles, elders, deacons or ordinary church members.  One of the reasons that churches in China, Africa, South America or Iran are growing is that all members of the church see themselves as ministers for Christ with responsibilities to share the gospel with others.”

We do have a problem today.  Many churches are only training clergymen, there is too little training of Christians in the pews on how to live for Jesus and to speak about Jesus to non-Christians.  Within the church every member will have different roles, some will specialise in being pastor/teachers, others in being full time evangelists,  but every Christian must be encouraged and trained to live effectively for Christ.

I had a patient who was the church warden of her local village church.  After the medical issues had been dealt with, I asked her how the church was going.  She replied,

“It is getting very difficult.  We are getting smaller and older.”

“Please tell me,” I replied, “Do members of the church talk about the Lord Jesus with others in the village?”

“Oh good gracious me, no, we don’t even speak about him amongst ourselves!”

I could only think of one thing to say,

“If that is true, then your church must die.”

To live for Jesus and to speak about him is essential - but it does require training and encouragement.

Paul’s purpose

Paul had spent two years establishing the church in Ephesus but, after the riots there, he left to go and encourage the young churches in Macedonia and Greece.  After three months a plot against him was discovered so he changed his plans from taking a sea trip to Syria, to returning overland through Macedonia.  Paul’s heart was always set on encouraging and teaching the new Christians.  On this overland journey he stopped off at Troas for a short time and taught them there.  He was determined to get to Jerusalem as soon as possible so decided against revisiting Ephesus, but he longed to inspire the Ephesian church elders so he asked them to come and see him when his ship docked at nearby Miletus.  The talk he gave to them was indeed inspirational.

Paul knew that the Christian message was true, it was God’s message to humanity, and he was repeatedly defending its veracity and his ministry.  The word ‘defend’ is subsequently used five times in the Book of Acts about Paul’s ministry (Acts 22:1, 24:10, 25:8, 26:1, 26:24).

Paul did not think that the responsibility for spreading the gospel rested on the shoulders of the church leaders.  No, it was the leaders role to motivate and train their members for the work of ministry.  He wrote subsequently to the Ephesians,

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service. So that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12

This is what God wants, a body of people trained and built up to live as God’s chosen people, to glorify their Saviour.  It is significant that the ESV translation emphasises that all christians should be trained to be ministers, to be effective for Christ,

“. . . the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV

Peter taught exactly the same message.  All Christians must see themselves as ‘priests’, God’s representatives to people of the world.  He wrote to all Christians,

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood . . . that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

All Christians should therefore see themselves as God’s ministers

Paul’s sermon

Paul’s talk to the Ephesian Elders centred on two facets of his ministry, his example and his message.  He recognised that people learn more by being shown than by being told. Models of ministry are vital if Christians are to be trained to be effective for Christ.   Elsewhere Paul said to all ordinary Christians,,

“Therefore I urge you to imitate me. . . He (Timothy) will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:16-17

“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Philippians 3:17

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or even seen in me – put into practice.” Philippians 4:9

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord . . .” 1 Thessalonians 1:6

How many Christian leaders today can speak like this?

a.  Paul’s life and character

His Hard Work

Paul’s appointment was no sinecure.

“I served the Lord . . . “ Acts 20:19

This was his secret, he was a servant of the Lord Jesus.

The Lord himself was the one who had commissioned him and that was where his reward would come from.  Paul knew he would have to give an account to his Lord about how he had lived for him.  At the end of this talk he was able to say to the Ephesian church leaders,

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak . . .” Acts 20:35

Notice that he worked hard so he could inspire others to follow his example and keep giving out to others.

A group of students training to be church pastors were visiting a vicar who had a very successful youth ministry in his church.  His name was the Revd. Llewellyn Roberts, frequently called ‘Uncle Lew’ by those who knew him.  The students asked him what was the secret of his success, expecting to hear something about hours of prayer or the like.   Uncle Lew, who couldn’t say his ‘h’s’ properly simply said,

“ ‘ard work, ‘ard work.”

This is one lesson Paul wanted the Ephesian elders to understand.  There is no short cut in ministry.

His Humility

Paul could say to those who knew him well,

“I served the Lord with great humility and tears.” Acts 20:19

Paul would not associate meekness with weakness.  The word ‘meek’ is used of a tough stallion that has been broken in and is therefore usable.  Paul was very clear thinking and determined to succeed.

This attitude would not lead to an easy life.  He had to face criticisms from both outside and inside the church. These upset him deeply and he wept at times, but he still kept going with determination.  His ministry involved much personal sacrifice but it was the reputation of the Lord that mattered most to him.

His Integrity

There is no doubt that Paul was a man with integrity.  He said to the elders,

“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you.” Acts 20:19

“You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.” Acts 20:34

Paul was no passenger in the church’s ministry, he did everything he could to stimulate and support other Christians.  He enthusiastically walked the walk just as he talked the talk.  Today this integrity would mean that he had nothing to hide.  He would not be ashamed about the websites he visited, the books he read, how he behaved at home, talked about others in private or how he used his money. He just longed to talk about Jesus to others and he was genuinely concerned for the spiritual growth of those around him.  How many church leaders today are like this?

In a radio programme, the atheist journalist, Matthew Parris, suggested that it didn’t matter what a person does in their private life, so long as they do well in their public life.  His interviewer rejected this view, he thought that character mattered immensely.  How people behave in private will eventually be reflected in their public life.  It is too easy for people to be appearing to serve the church when really they are serving their own egos and self interest.  It is always worth asking when thinking of appointing a preacher, ‘Who are they serving?’ and “Do they live the way they speak?”  How many popular Christian leaders have failed when their private lives are scrutinised.

He Was Loved

All these qualities meant that the Ephesian church elders deeply loved him.  When he explained that they would never see him again this resulted in an outburst of loving emotion for him.

“When he said this, he knelt down with them all and prayed.  They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.  What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see him again.  Then they accompanied him to the ship.” Acts 20:36-38

His Priority

Paul is most concerned that other Christians should share hi priorities.  He was a passionate teacher of God’s word, determined to train up and encourage others and he longed that the church elders should model the same to people in their churches.

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.” Acts 20:20

The primary role a church leader is to teach God’s word to as many people as possible.  Paul did this both by preaching and in private conversations.  He taught wherever he could in order to help others find and grow in Christ.  What an example this is not only for the elders of the church in Ephesus but also for the leaders of churches everywhere today.  All elders should be imitators of Paul but it is equally important that they should then encourage others in the church to behave in a similar way.

Paul was completely committed to serving his Lord.  His life was of little consequence to him compared to the urgency of his task.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:25

Paul is able to contrast his style of leadership with the arrogant show of the false leaders around who did not demonstrate these priorities. Their lack of spiritual power was seen in their ineffectiveness.  Paul had written to the Corinthian church because some there had drifted away from Christ and had wrong priorities,

“Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.  But |I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.  For the power of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

Paul’s Message

Paul’s message was about how people can be saved.  His message was all about Jesus and he expected the Ephesian elders and people in the Ephesian church to have this same message.

“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21

Everybody must return to live under God’s authority; this is not an option for us,.  If we don’t, we will face God’s judgment and punishment.  The only hope we can have of finding God’s forgiveness for the way we have treated God is to be found in Jesus and his death for us as our substitute.  There is no other way to be saved.  Didn’t Jesus say,

“I am the way, the truth and the life.  No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Shortly after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and John were on trial for their lives before the Jewish Sanhedrin.  They said,

“Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

What a tragedy it is for many churches leaders to infer that living moral, kind lives will be enough to satisfy God.  That is the appalling Pelagian heresy but it is very common thinking today.

At a reception after the funeral of a lovely Christian lady I asked one of her relatives if he shared her faith  or wasn’t sure about these things.  His reply was shocking,

“Yes, I’m a Christian, I’ve been baptised but I’m not the practising sort.”

This lead to a discussion about who is a real Christian, who will be saved.  Outward ceremonies, such as baptism and confirmation and orthodox theological beliefs save nobody.  It is Christ who saves us and to walk away from him is to walk away from salvation.  It is only if people are relying on the Lord Jesus that anyone can be saved.  Notice the emphasis Paul makes here,

“ . . . and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21

Saving faith is always personal.  All true Christians can say, ‘Jesus is my Saviour and he is the Lord of my life; he controls how I live.”

Elsewhere Paul summarised what the apostolic message is,

“But he has now reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:22-23

We can only be saved because God himself bore the penalty for our sin on that cross.  Anyone who leaves the Lord Jesus has made a fatal step.  He wrote in a similar way to the troubled Corinthian church,

“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

To move from the doctrines of the apostles is to drift from Christ.  Many people have their own beliefs that differ from those of the apostles but their religion is vain and worthless in God’s eyes.

However it is even possible to be theologically in tune with the apostles, to be intolerant of false teaching and to work hard for the church but still to lose what is most important to the Lord, a love for him.  A generation later John relayed a message from God about the state of the Ephesian church: this was the same church that Paul urged in Acts 20: 28 to be good shepherds over the church.  The church in Ephesus had retained many good characteristics but still God said,

“Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love.  Remember the height from which you have fallen!  Repent and do the things that you did at first.” Revelation 2:4

Those elders of the Ephesian church must have encouraged the church to remain apostolic in their doctrine but somehow the church had lost their love for the Lord Jesus.   It is a love for Jesus that is vital for our salvation.  John warned the church that they must repent, turn back to Christ and for each person to make living for Jesus and his glory their priority.  If they forsake living with and for Jesus the consequences would be disastrous.

“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:5

Church leaders have an awesome responsibility.  They must firstly ensure that they are as faithful to the Lord Jesus as Paul was, but then teach and encourage others in the church to become ministers of the Lord Jesus, their role is to ‘prepare God’s people for works of service’ (Ephesians 4:12)

The great American preacher, D.L.Moody was on a mission in England.  He was asked to meet a church leader from Ireland.  Moody asked his host about him,

“Is he O and O?”

“What do you mean?” his host asked.

“Is he out and out for Jesus?”

What a great question for us to ask, first of ourselves and then of other people in our churches.  It really does matter if the Lord is to be with us.

Great leaders have followed other great leaders, but most importantly they live close to and follow the Lord Jesus.

BVP

Minister/Elder Selection and Training

There has been a tendency in many non-conformist churches to select elders from the congregation and appoint them without much training.  In contrast Anglican churches expect their lay-readers to undergo a prolonged training but even this does not ensure that the end product is a great asset to the church.  How can churches produce better leaders, it can only be by good selection and then good training.

Selection

Personality

Choosing the right men for training to be future church elders is vital. Leaders must have a presence about them that others admire.   Too many have decided for themselves to go to read theological at college with the hope that with a degree or diploma they will become church leaders even though they do not have the personality to lead and inspire people.  An elder does need to have an encouraging personality.

Christlikeness

Potential leaders need to be godly people who have demonstrated that their greatest concern is to live for Christ.  Do they make friends easily, do they smile and look people in the face when talking with them? Are they hospitable, do they invite others for meals. Can they talk naturally about Jesus and are they continually encouraging others to live for Christ.  Are they O and O?  This is an idea that the great evangelist American D.L.Moody used to use.  When leading a mission in England he was asked to meet an Irish Christian and he asked,

“Is he O and O?”

When asked what he meant he replied,

“Is he Out and Out for the Lord Jesus?”

People learn something from those with some knowledge but they learn far more about being Christians by watching how others live for Christ.  These are the sort of minister/elders that churches desperately need.

Knowledge

A major role of an elder is to teach and inspire people in the church so a considerable level of Biblical knowledge is needed.  If someone has never got round to learning key Bible verses and to know passages on major issues and doctrines they will find it hard to teach others.  To some degree knowledge can be learned but if someone does not have a love of learning they will find it very hard to inspire others.

Doctrine

When my son applied for ordination training his personality seems to have been a major criteria people were looking for.  This is right and proper but what was surprising was that no-one asked him about is understanding of apostolic theology.  This is a tragedy and can explain how false teachers can obtain senior positions in a church.

Bishop Wallace Benn attended a selection committee for future lay readers in the Church of England.  He asked the twelve candidates the same question,

“Do you think that Jesus is the best way to God or is he the only way.”

He was shocked when every candidate answered,

“I think he is the best way to God!”

What a tragedy for such people to have got so far as their reply demonstrates they have not graped the uniqueness of the Christian message.

Teaching skill

It is foolhardy to consider appointing someone as an elder if they have not been involved in leading a successful home Bible Study group and have been appreciated as a leader in that context.  There is no better training for future church leaders.  It is in the home group that future elders will hone their skills.

There was a pentecostal Bible College in South America that required those who wanted to be admitted to the college for training to have already founded a church!  That may be too high a standard but such are the sort of church leaders we need in the United Kingdom.  A different but very important standard is to know whether a candidate has been the means of leading someone to Christ and how they did this.  If they have not done so in the past it is unlikely that they will in the future.

It is very clear that if those going into training do not already have these nascent attributes they will be most unlikely to find them later.

Should a person want to be an Elder?

Ambition is in-built into most of us so it must be a God-given characteristic.  What matters is what we are ambitious for.  To be ambitious in your work, home, sport or hobby is attractive but for some reason to be ambitious for God seems to unspiritual for some.  Yet the apostles were clearly very ambitious people and they wanted church members to be ambitious too.  Thus Paul could write about his ambition to be effective for Jesus,

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in christ.  To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:28-29

Peter also recognised that if a christian is to be effective for Christ they will inevitably have to work very hard in order to become so:

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will prevent you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8

So becoming a mature, effective Christian will mean a lot of hard work.  Yet the church also needs some to stand out as leaders.  This is an honourable role to undertake.  It is important to stress that being a church elder is primarily a job and not a status.  Paul wrote at the beginning of a section about the characteristics that should be seen in elders that eldership is a ‘task’,

“Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.” 1 Timothy 3:1

Paul begins by stating that these words are ‘trustworthy.’ He used this phrase in the Pastoral Epistles before giving an axiomatic quote. This phrase is also used in 1 Timothy 1:15 and 4:9, 2 Timothy 2:11 and Titus 3:8 and each time it is to emphasise a particular point.   Good ambitious church leaders are always urgently needed.

Although the Greek word used for ‘Whoever’ is neuter the rest of this section describing the elders needed always uses masculine form.  All of the following pronouns in this section are specifically male, with qualifications including the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2) and managing his own household (1 Timothy 3:4).

Just as a person can have aspirations in our careers and in relationships so they are need in our christian lives.  Yet how many Christians seem content that they have reached their goal when they become Christians?  It appears that many think that all God wants is an appearance in church, to believe the right doctrines, join in the singing and have friends among the faithful!

For our churches to have the right quality of leaders in the future surely such people need to be trained.  We need to train both men and women in ministry but passages such as this in I Timothy 3 do state clearly that the senior roles in churches should be filled by men.  I have read suggestions that Paul might have written so definitively on this subject because of a particular problem in Ephesus where authoritative cult prostitutes from the temple of Diana might have joined the church.    Yet there is no mention in the letter that Paul is only talking about problems in Ephesus, on the contrary he specifically says he is talking about the universal church,

“. . . you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in Christ’s household, which is the church of the living God.” 1 Timothy 3:15

Elders in the Bible

God’s chosen people have always needed leaders.  Jewish synagogues were first established when the Jews were exiled to Babylon.  By the first century these synagogues were led by a group of elders and the early churches followed this model.

In the early church, elders were selected by an apostle, such as Paul, or more usually by an apostolic delegate such as Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete.  These apostolic delegates were usually elders within their own churches who had a wider role.  In the generation after the apostles these regional overseers became known as ‘bishops’, a title that had originally been used of all local church elders.  The elders were commissioned or ordained either by an apostle or by an apostolic delegate or by a council of elders.  Thus Timothy was told,

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands upon you.” 1 Timothy 4:14

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” 1 Timothy 5:22

The involvement of the apostles and elders from other churches had the benefit of preventing isolated churches going their own way, out of harmony with other churches.  This lack of unity has been a major problem in many non-conformist denominations.  It also means that these elders can be recognised and serve in various churches.

Role of Elders

At the end of John’s gospel, Peter was commissioned by the Lord Jesus to shepherd God’s people.  He was charged,

“Feed my lambs” John 21:15

“Take care of my sheep” John 21:16

“Feed my sheep” John 21:17

The word ‘pastor’ is the same ‘shepherd’.

Many years later, at the end of his first letter he passes on this obligation,

“So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder . . . shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight . . . being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:1-4

Paul used a similar analogy when speaking to the Ephesian church elders,

“ . . . pay careful attention to yourselves and all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to care for the church of God which he obtained with his own blood.” Acts 20:28

This shepherding language clearly comes from the Old Testament.

Old Testament leaders

The ancient Greek author Homer once said,

“All kings are shepherds of the people.”

There are however good and bad shepherds.

Many of the heroes in the Old testament had been real shepherds before being called to lead God’s people.  Moses had spent many years as a shepherd, as had King David and the prophet Amos.  Many of the nations in the ancient Near East  used the idea of shepherding as a metaphor for leadership.  In Psalm 23 David describes the Lord God as his shepherd,

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters., he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3

Kenneth Bailey made a telling point about the way a good shepherd leads his flock.

“The good shepherd “leads me”; he does not “drive me.” There is a marked difference. In Egypt where there is little open pasture land I have often seen shepherds driving their sheep from behind with sticks. But in the open wilderness of the Holy Land the shepherd walks slowly ahead of his sheep and either plays his own ten-second tune on a pipe or (more often) sings his own unique “call.”

The sheep appear to be attracted primarily by the voice of the shepherd, which they know and are eager to follow. It is common practice for a number of shepherds to gather at midday around a spring or well, where the sheep mingle, drink and rest. At any time one of the shepherds can decide to leave, and on giving his call all his sheep will immediately separate themselves from the mixed flocks and follow their shepherd wherever he leads them.”

Ezekiel had some strong words to say about the leaders of the remnant of Israel who had failed to lead God’s people as God required.  They had failed to teach people the word of God, that is always how God’s people are fed.  They used their status for their own benefit but failed to care for the people for whom they were responsible.  They had not cared for the less fortunate or brought those who were lost back into their family, instead they had ruled selfishly.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves!  Should not shepherds take care of the flock (ESV feed the sheep)?  You eat the curds clothe yourselves with the wool, and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the sheep.” Ezekiel 34:2-3

“You have not strengthened the weak, or healed the sick, or bound up the injured.  You have not brought back the strays, or searched for the lost.   You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” Ezekiel 34:4

On the other hand, weak leadership will result in a failure to draw people together as an effective team.  Ezekiel continued,

“So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts.” Ezekiel 34:5

A good shepherd will always be concerned to enlarge the part of God’s kingdom that he is responsible for,

“ . . . the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought . . . my sheep were scattered over the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.” Ezekiel 34:4,6

Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred to Adolf Hitler and leaders like him as bad shepherds or “mis-leaders.” Bonhoeffer gave a speech just two days after Hitler’s election that proved prophetic. He said that if a leader did not understand that his authority was derived from God, and did not use his position and power to serve the people, then “the image of the leader will pass over into the image of the mis-leader, and he will be acting in a criminal way not only towards those he leads, but also towards himself. . . . He has to lead the individual into his own maturity.” Bonhoeffer proclaimed Hitler a mis-leader before his regime had even been fully formed. But one does not have to be a Hitler, or one of Ezekiel’s blatantly evil shepherds, to be a “mis-leader.”

New Testament leaders

Teachers

Paul recognised that church elders feed their flock by teaching.  He introduced the term pastor-teacher to designate this role,

“ . . . some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service.” Ephesians 4:11-12

This verse has been translated in the ESV,

“ . . . some to be pastor-teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV

The only gift that is essential in an elder is that they are “able to teach’’ (1 Timothy 3:2).  This does not mean that all elders must have ‘up-front’ preaching gifts as later in the same letter Paul writes,

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17

It has been a widespread tradition in most Christian denominations that the elders should preside at Communion services as they are the ones who are responsible for leading God’s church.  It should be stressed that this eldership is not the same as being ordained into a particular denomination.  There have been many problems in denominations where only one pastor has been recognised by the denomination to lead a church and they do not have all the gifts needed to do this.  A plurality of elders does help to prevent such problems.

Carers

Just as Ezekiel berated the elders of his day for not caring for those facing difficult times.  It is so easy for church elders to focus on pleasing the affluent, healthy and socially powerful.  Paul charges  the Ephesian elders,

“  . . . pay careful attention . . . to all the flock of God.” Acts 20:28

In particular, Paul said,

“ . . . help the weak.” Acts 20:35

This doesn’t mean that the elders should do this all themselves but it does mean they are responsible for ensuring that it does happen.  They are the leaders of a church of ministers.

Warners

Just as in Ezekiel’s time, weak leaders fail to warn people of very real dangers.  Jesus was forthright in warning his followers that false teachers will infiltrate into churches and mislead God’s people.

“Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15

Later he again emphasised this danger of false church leaders,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10

“The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.” John 10:12

Paul set an example to the Ephesian church elders by warning them what would happen in the future,

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth . . .” Acts 20:29-30

This is not easy as weak leaders will find it hard to confront false or poor teachers.  It is all too easy to want to be accepted by everybody and so fail to confront what is unhelpful for the flock.  So many false teachers are terribly pleasant.  Paul emphasised this need to stand up against those who do not emphasise the message of the apostles when he write to Titus about the qualities of an elder,

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9

In Psalm 23 the Good Shepherd has two tools, one for the forcible defence of his sheep and the other to guide them.

“Your rod and your staff comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

The scholar Ken Bailey has explained what these implements mean:

“The Hebrew word here translated “rod” (shbt) has a long history. Its meanings include rod, sceptre and weapon. It does not refer to a “walking stick.” Rather it is the shepherd’s primary offensive weapon for protecting the flock from enemies, be they wild animals or human thieves. The instrument itself is about two and a half feet long with a mace-like end into which heavy pieces of iron are often embedded. It becomes a formidable weapon.

…… The shepherd’s staff is not for defending the flock from any external threat, but for caring for the sheep as he leads them daily in search of food, drink, tranquility and rest. These two instruments are a pair. The first (the rod) is used to protect the flock from external threats. The second (the staff) serves to gently assist the flock in its daily grazing. The sight of these two instruments comfort the sheep.”

Good shepherds today must also be willing and able to stand up against the enemies of God’s people.

Searchers

Ezekiel had taught that bad shepherds,

“ . . . have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost,” Ezekiel 34:4

So today there are far too many who call themselves elders who seem to have no interest in winning people for Christ and his kingdom.  Good shepherds are not satisfied with just the sheep in their fold, they are also concerned for the ‘lost sheep,’ just as Jesus was.  Evangelism matters very much to the Lord.

BVP

Jesus Warning for Church Leaders

The temptations facing church ministers and elders can be immense.  Kong Hee was the Senior minister of a very successful Assemblies of God church in Singapore that had over 23,000 attendees.  In 2015 he and five others in the church team were convicted of being involved in Singapore's biggest fraud case concerning the misuse of charitable funds.   There were irregularities in the diesribution of at least $23 million in the church's funds, which were used to finance the secular singing career of Sun Ho, Kong Hee’s wife.  There had been a concerted effort to conceal this movement of funds.. An appeal judge described Kong as ‘coloured by greed and self-interest’.   How easy it is for power within churches to be abused and used for the leaders benefit and it is then simple to justify these wrongful actions.

Jesus taught that being a Christian is not simply a matter of holding to correct theology but involves continued godly service.  He said:

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.  Luke 12:35-38

Jesus was clear that he will be returning to his world at some time in the future and he expects all his people to be ready for this.  Jesus’ return to judge ‘the living and the dead’ is a constant theme in Scripture, it is not a minor theological footnote but a major doctrine.  There are one hundred and sixty chapters in the New Testament and Christ’s return as judge comes three hundred and eighteen times.  Some Christians are greatly reassured by this doctrine, their judge is also their Saviour, and they are looking forwards to meeting him face to face.  However, unfortunately some have become sceptical; ‘We have waited two thousand years and nothing has happened’, they think and this will affect how they live.  Most are somewhere in the middle.  They recite the credal statements about Christ’s return ‘to judge the living and the dead’ but this has little significance for their lives.

Jesus is again stressing that he really will be returning and it is vital that his people are living in the light of this.

In the popular television series ‘Downton Abbey’ the opening scenes depict the maids, cooks and butlers all scurrying around, busy in service.  The reason is that Lord Grantham, (played by Hugh Bonneville) is returning.  Everything must be ready because their Lord is returning.

The phrase in this passage, translated ‘dressed ready for service’, is literally ‘with loins girded’.  In those days people in the middle East tended to wear long clothes that hung down to the ankle, so, if a person wanted to run and avoid tripping, they would have to pull up the lower hem of their clothes and tuck them into their belt.  This would free the legs for running.  The image is clear.  The Lord expects his followers to be running about serving him.  They are also to keep their ‘lamps burning’ which probably means, ‘Keep shining for the Lord Jesus by what you do and say’.  Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Christians are meant to be active in society with the clear intention that others will recognise that this is done because they are Christians so that they too may come ‘to glorify your Father in heaven.’

This service will not be easy, it may involve long hours of service and hard work.

“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.”

In this short paragraph Jesus repeats three times, ‘It will be good’ – wants his hearers to understand that serving him will definitely be beneficial.  The reward Jesus then describes is striking and most unexpected - the master will become their servant.

“Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.”

They would recline because in those days the tables were very low and people lay on the floor, often on cushions when they ate.  The master will make himself their slave, a complete reversal of roles.  But is this so surprising?  Jesus has already ‘emptied himself, taking the form of a servant’ (Philippians 2:6-7) when he came into his world to die for us, he took the form of a servant when he washed his disciples feet in the upper room (John 13:1-5), so is it out of character for him to continue serving those who have been faithful to him?

We need to cling to this as it will transform the way we live as we wait.  When I was just seven years old I went to a boarding preparatory school.  One day I received a letter from my mother saying that she would be coming to visit me on a certain Saturday.  I still remember the excitement as I looked forward to that day.  On that Saturday there I was, waiting enthusiastically, looking out of the window, waiting for her to walk up the school drive.  Then there she was. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement.  The certainty of my mother’s promise now became a reality.  God wants all of us to know such a joy that stems from the promises of God.  He is coming back to serve us and hopefully to say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 25:21, 23).

The thief is coming

Jesus now gives another slant to his message that could be summarised as, ‘Be ready’.  He moves from certainty to uncertainty.    He refers to that awful feeling when you realise that your house has been broken into.

One morning our front door bell rang.  There was a neighbour holding a wallet and asking if it was mine, it had been found in the road.  This led to the discovery that a thief had broken into our home during the night, taken our television, removed our car from the garage having found the keys and wallet in my jacket.  My wife and I were fast asleep – we had not realised this could happen to us.  We had been given no warning, we were simply caught napping!

“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:39-40

Jesus uses this common illustration to emphasise the need for Christians to be constantly aware of the fact that the Lord will return one day.  There will be no warning, there will be no cosmological precursor events, there is no hidden code in the Bible as some have suggested might tell us the date.  Even Jesus himself did not know when this event would occur.

“But about that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

What we do know is that we must keep preparing for his return.  Jesus makes a final declaration right at the end of the Bible:

“Yes, I am coming soon” Revelation 22:20

The best way we can prepare for his return is by being active in his service, being godly ourselves and winning others for him.  In my recent book, ‘The Duty of a Disciple’ I have summarised what the Bible emphasises about the need for all Christians to be involved in and trained in sharing the faith with others.

Earlier in Luke 12 Jesus had been addressing the crowds but then he spoke specifically to the disciples.  It is no longer clear who Jesus was speaking to, when he told the parable about the need for the servants to be prepared for the return of their master.  However, Peter helpfully asked Jesus a question,

“Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everyone.” Matthew 12:41

Who needs to get ready, the masses or the disciples? Jesus replies by telling another story about a manager or leader.  Although what he was saying is relevant for all Christians, Jesus clearly intends that their leaders or managers take these lessons to heart.

The faithful and wise manager

“The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  Matthew 12:42-46

In the Downton Abbey series, it was the role of the Head butler, Carson, to lead all the others as they prepare for Lord Grantham’s return.  In Jesus’ parable the manager’s role is specifically said to be to ‘give them their food allowance at the proper time’.  Perhaps this is why there is so much emphasis in the Bible for God’s leaders to be good teachers.  When Jesus was tempted by the devil he answered by quoting Scripture,

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3

Today many church members are dying spiritually and they are dying from biblical malnutrition. Many church leaders focus on meeting physical and social needs, which in itself is good, but they neglect to feed them by teaching the Word of God. How we desperately need to raise up more and better Bible teachers.  If we are parents, children’s group leaders, home group leaders, or preachers we have been entrusted to care for people and encourage them to remain faithful to the Lord.  We can best do this by teaching Scripture and by convincing them that this really is the reliable Word of God.

Jesus again ends by emphasising that serving him faithfully will be well worth while:

“It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

The false managers  

Unfortunately there will always be managers who are unfaithful concerning their commission.

1.  The first group of church leaders are simply wicked:

“But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk.  The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.” Luke 12:45-46

This Christian leader’s problems start with doubts that are not resolved - he no longer trusts the Word of God.  Instead of being fruitful for Christ he uses his status to abuse others.  Instead of feeding others he becomes a physical glutton.  This rejection of the authority of the word of God over them leads first to selfish worldly thoughts and then to downright wicked behaviour.  His perspective is only on this world – how foolish!  He still sees himself as a Christian but in reality he has rejected his master and his master’s word and, according to Jesus has turned his back on the salvation Jesus offers.

How many church leaders of all denominations have slipped from doubt into pornography, promiscuity, homosexual practices, paedophilia, abuse of their position, bullying or theft.  How the press loves to highlight and demonise Christian leaders who fall.  What is worse is that they can then advocate these practices as ‘normal for this present age’ as if God’s likings and dislikes have ever changed.  They will even persuade others to support them.  For example, there are now some church leaders who want to change the doctrine of marriage and that it must be between one man and one woman.   Even sexuality is in doubt, a person can be what they want to be and deny how they were created by God.  One teenager is told her form teacher that she felt as if she was a zebra and wanted to be addressed as such!  The reason for this fall is always, ‘Men have forgotten God’, they have turned their backs on what God has taught us in his Word as well as how god has made us.  Such wicked managers are following the example Judas Iscariot in rejecting the authority of Jesus and he warns that they will face his fate in eternity.

“The wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23

The eternal fate of such leaders, ministers or elders will be awful, God will treat them at the judgment as unbelievers for that is what they are!  Justice will be done.

“He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” Luke 12:46

2.  The second group of managers are lazy and disobedient.

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.” Luke 12:47

This manager is doing little for Christ.  He is not leading others to godliness, they are not caring for people, they are not reaching out to others with the gospel of salvation and are teaching people little of God’s Word.  Such ministers are leading the easy life.  Doubtless they will make excuses but their Lord sees through them.  They like the prestige and status of being a leader but are not leading people to Christ.

One vicar with this problem was challenged by the church trustees over his behaviour.  His response was simple,

“This is my church.  I am the vicar.  If anyone has a problem they can leave!”

Such an elder needs to remember that the church is not theirs, it belongs to the Lord Jesus; they are only the manager who will have to give an account to God for the way they have behaved.  Jesus says, ‘They will be beaten with many blows’.

Paul recognised that there were such elders in the church of Corinth who were not acting effectively and he warns them,

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Such managers or elders have not invested in anything worthwhile in eternal terms.

3.  The third group are simply ignorant. 

Many Christians in Britain or the United States have had the greta privilege of being taught the Scriptures faithfully for many decades but Jesus said that with this come great responsibilities.  Elders who have not been taught the Scriptures cannot be expected to teach it well.  It is likely that they have never had good ministry modelled to them either.  This is why the ideal is for all future elders to be apprenticed to a firm godly minister who can set them on the right path.  It is not possible to learn what is needed from books or college, people need to see ‘living for Christ’ in action.

“But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

God is always fair, his judgment will fit the facts.  However this is a salutary reminder for us who have been given so much, that God expects to see more from our service.

“. . . from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

"With great power comes great responsibility" is a phrase popularized by Spider-Man in Marvel comics and films,  and it was told by Uncle Ben when advising the young Peter Parker.  The concept however goes right back to Jesus who warns us all about our responsibilities.

A good church will therefore major on teaching and training.  People need not just to know the Bible stories but to be able to think through what is being taught and apply then this to how they live their lives in today’s world.  There are many questions that people have and they need to be shown where possible answers lie.

In the evening of 2ist June 2015, my son Andy was ordained as a presbyter or elder in the Church of England.  That morning he preached on this passage, Luke 12:35-48, and he emphasised the four options that lay ahead of him and asked people to pray for him.  Few commit themselves to being ordained as an elder or church minister insincerely, but over time doubts can arise which if not addressed can lead into compromise and sin.

What really matters?

We will all have to give an account to the Lord and explain how we have used the gifts he has given us, in whatever area of life we have moved into.  Those who opt to be church leaders must understand the seriousness of this decision.  It is easy to think that this passage is really a passage for others but it does have much to say to all of us.  However, it has much to say in particular to those who are church ministers or elders or are thinking about embarking on this course.  It is no easy option to be a church leader; we like our Lord are called to be aflame for God and this will cause conflagrations!  Jesus finished this section with these words,

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49

BVP