"Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
Let's face it, as church leaders committed to following Jesus, sometimes we run into scriptures God gives us that may at times seem difficult to obey. But they are in the Bible for a purpose. We encourage you to pray and ask God to reveal his will to you specifically about your pastor and your local church. By way of testimony, I know God has sovereignly placed me in this spiritual tribe called the Church of the Nazarene. God calls us to love the church and serve the church, even when it is imperfect.
If the church needs to change, we are to be positively involved in helping that process, not be the kind of people who sit back and criticize. If you are leading some kind of change or doing something innovative, at times you may be criticized by good people. Individuals who serve alongside you may not understand your efforts to bless the community and bring people to Jesus.
People may question your motives and your intent. At times you may even feel rejected by the people you love and serve. So did Jesus (Isaiah 53:3, John 1:11). In the Garden, all of the disciples Jesus had gathered around him, for a time deserted him and fled (Mark 14:50). But what was Jesus’ response? The Bible says that the vision of Jesus for the church was so strong that he focused, not just on the present but on the future. The vision Jesus could see was thousands of gathered groups of redeemed people worldwide – in spiritually contagious churches! Jesus could see local churches operating in unity (John 17:21), blessing their community, bringing people to himself and becoming Christlike disciples who followed him.
The vision of Jesus was so powerful, the Scripture says Jesus "gave himself up for the church” (Ephesians 5:25). Are we following Jesus’ example and doing what he did? No healthy ministry or highly effective church is built unless we sacrifice and "give ourselves up" just like Jesus did. Thank you for your commitment to be loyal to your pastor and to your local church. It is the right thing to do. Submit to those God has placed in authority within your church. Do you best to make their work "a real joy" through their contact with you. Make your attitude positively contagious. If you do, God's promise is that you will find this a great "personal benefit" (Hebrews 13:17).
This is such an important habit and attitude that spiritually healthy leaders have. Thanks for all your church is doing to take positive steps forward by focusing on the basics of what the Lord has revealed to us for a healthy future:
mobilizing everyone in unity
blessing your community
bringing people to Jesus
becoming Christlike disciples
We are also leaning in together, participating in the selection of our next superintendent. Make sure you reach out to a District Advisory Committee member and give your feedback. We have wonderful days ahead on the CCD. You are loved.
Larry McKain, Superintendent
Chicago Central District
Church of the Nazarene