Just A Thought
Topic: Church Leadership (Hebrews 13:17)
Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
I believe this passage is speaking of proper respect. Let me make this clear: I am not complaining about a lack of respect for myself. Every leader faces some lack of respect, and every leader is typically in a position to recognize those disrespectful moments and attitudes.
Romans 13:1-5 tells us that one's assigned position and authority comes from God alone. To question it as a mistake of God is to question His power to make things happen. The authority given someone comes from God. To rebel is to rebel against God.
It does not mean that you have to agree with your authority. It does mean that someone does not have to earn or be worthy of your respect to respect the position God has given them. If you disagree, disagree respectfully, like the three Hebrew children did in Daniel 3, and Daniel did in Daniel 1.
Hebrews gives warning to those who do not follow the spiritual leadership, “…for this would be unprofitable for you.”
We are to let our leaders shepherd us with joy and not with groaning, otherwise their labors of love are to no advantage to us. Grudgingly obeying our leaders does not sharpen our hearts; it hardens them.
First Thessalonians 5:12-13, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
My pledge to you: My goal is to seek God in all of my leadership and realize that God often speaks to the pastor through the voices of His people. I will pray to God about everything you ask me to, and many things that you do not ask me to pray about. I will certainly pray for you.
My goal is to love you, appreciate you, respect you and find a way you can serve the Lord in joy.
I ask you to uphold the New Life staff and deacons of New Life with respect and the honor God has called for; pray for us, and encourage all who serve at New Life.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem