Continuing the Tuesday conversation on Total Church, today we discuss the chapter “Discipleship and Training.” This chapter got at many wonderful truths I fully agree with: the importance of baptism, teaching people the Gospel, teaching throughout life, training in non-traditional ways as well as church discipline, but I was greatly encouraged by a section called “Shepherds Who Are Sheep.” Here’s what the authors write:
It is important that leaders see themselves and are seen by others as part of the church. Professionalism is always the enemy of authentic gospel leadership. Leaders are not a special class set apart on their own, having to face burdensome responsibilities and forced to endure a lonely existence. Leaders cannot be detached. They must be visible believers who live their lives openly in the midst of the believing community. (p.123)
I think we [leaders] are plagued by a pride that we are above the congregation. This professionalism manifests itself in many ways, but I seek to guard against this in my pulpit ministry. I was told about someone in my church who was speaking to someone in another church and the other person was bragging about how holy that pastor was. The person in my church responded with something like, “How do you know he’s holy?” To which other responded, “He tells us so in his sermons.” I want to guard against this and help those entrusted to me see how much I am striving for holiness along with them. I haven’t arrived. There is much in my living of the Christian life I am still working to figure out. It relates to humility, as well, as I pointed out yesterday. May God grant us grace to be the examples He has called us to be among those dearest to us.