I have always enjoyed the Can You Spot the Difference photos you came across in magazines as I grew up. Two pictures that on the surface look identical. Yet, there are a fixed number of subtle and, some not so subtle, differences. I always tried to find them all. I would get frustrated when it said there were six differences and I could only find five of them and then there was no answer photo given!
As you look at the cover of this edition, I ask you: “Can you find the difference?”
Both photos have a series of boats within them. What is different is the direction of the boats. In the darker blue photo one boat is out ahead of the flotilla and the others are following along in the same direction.
In the other photo, you have the lone red boat going in one direction and all the remaining boats heading in the opposite direction. The first is an example of team work. The second...well not exactly team work...is it?
Now I want you to apply this example to your local church. Do the leaders get out in front and have the congregation come along behind them or do the leaders get out in front and the congregation goes in a different direction?
This issue is focused on leadership. The first article makes the case for the important role of laity as leaders. The second article (which can and should be printed and given to everyone in the church!) sets out a monthly prayer calendar for the church, its mission, and its leaders. Together these two articles give a great starting point for what leadership in your church looks like and how the church can better support its leaders through prayer.
This publication is produced on behalf of the Nominations Team to help the Leadership Teams of the Holston Conference think about their respective ministries. Ideas for articles and articles are welcomed.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. Acts 2:42-45
President John F. Kennedy gave a speech early in his presidency that went something like this: "Ask not what your county can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This greatly applies to the church, because throughout church history, we have had a skewed idea of the role of the lay person. This is especially true in the liturgical churches. There is the mindset that we have a hired a priest, pastor, or minister to do this or that, so we do not have to. The typical "pew-sitter" sees their role as a spectator, so that actively engaging in the church is not deemed necessary. All that is needed is to throw a few bucks in the plate. After all, someone else has been hired to do the ministry. I experienced this many times over the years in Youth Ministry. When I would try to recruit youth leaders, I would sometimes get the response, "I thought we paid you to do that." Their thinking was I do not need to do what I pay you to do.
First of all, Christianity is not a ranch where we hire hands to work the spread. Rather, Christianity is an action-driven adventure of faith, where we each help to build one another up and cooperatively do the work that Christ gives us. Secondly, Christianity is not an individualistic organization; rather, we are a team, a "co-op." A football team cannot possibly score if only the quarterback plays while the rest of the team sits on the bench. But, this is how most Christians play out their faith and walk. It also seems that the age-old myths of division of work between clergy and the laity are confused, such as the thinking that the role of the clergy is to do the ministry, while the lay people help out if they can. Or, the clergy takes care of the flock-period. Or even that ministry only takes place in the church by the clergy and not anywhere else by anyone else. We must have a proper understanding from Scripture of the role for the people of God, and the offices we occupy. Ministry takes place by all Christians, as we are all called to do it, and the ministry takes place wherever we the Christian might be-home, work (when appropriate), shopping, recreation, even at Taco Bell. The Christian is to engage the world, not just sit in a pew expecting a hired hand to serve them like a lone Texas rancher. We are not to carry out ministry only if we get a paycheck; we are to accomplish ministry because this is what our Lord has called us to do. We can only achieve this task with the understanding of what we are doing and why we are doing it.
Why? Because of the love we have received from Christ and the grace He has given us. We are to serve out of our gratitude and love, and let our faith and passion fuel our efforts so they do not become exercises of obligation only. We need to understand our responsibility as believers. The great commission is not addressed to the clergy only; rather, it is addressed to the whole body of Christ. Gifts used to build one another up and to serve were not given to the clergy only. Christianity is a cooperative effort, a unity and togetherness. When we function within these parameters and for one purpose, then the ministry will expand. We must be disciples who know how to use our gifts to better one another and in more contexts, and not expect someone else to do it.
Our question should be how can I be more effective, not how can the pastor be more effective?
When we function as a body of Christ effectively, then we can break the bonds of dependency on professional ministers only. As a pastor, I see my role as recruiting and training people to do primary care and ministry because I cannot do it all personally. In Youth Ministry, trained people are needed to help in various roles such as worship, personal contact, small group leaders, drivers, chaperones, and activity planners, etc. The minister cannot be everywhere teaching all the small groups, but they can train other people to do it and be their coach. Their role actually is to train and equip the lay person to do the bulk of the ministry. The pastor is normally considered a performer of the sacraments of baptism, marriage, funerals, and pronouncement of the Word, and this is true. The minister is also a trainer of the lay people and an equipper, not a solo act. They may need to perform the sacraments by themselves, but the rest of the church functions must be a cooperative effort. If it is not, the outcome is a dysfunctional church that is going nowhere.
A Team?
Can you imagine the greatest receiver in football history on your team? What about a team of just great receivers? Who would block, or pass the ball to you so you could receive it? We cannot have an effective relationship with Christ by ourselves, nor can we be a witness to the non-Christian as a solo effort. For us to know Christ and make Him known, we have to have a love for the church and its purpose, not just a love for our own whims and plans.
We cannot have a vital impact on our community without that connection with the body of Christ. We cannot do it alone. Billy Graham has a team of hundreds who prepare for a crusade, with the cooperation of most of the local churches before the event is even advertised. If Billy Graham would just show up unannounced in a community without the cooperative efforts of other Christians, the attendance and impact would be minimal, even given the track record and greatness of Billy Graham. He cannot do it alone, so why do other Christians think they can?
God works through people; He works through us. We must believe this and we must live our lives allowing this. Else, we could become just like the proverbial person who refuses to work, but buys lottery tickets, hoping their ship will come in. Friends, your ship is not coming in! You have to build it yourself with the tools and the supplies and even the empowerment that God gives you to do it. When we have the attitude in the church that we need to wait for our ship to come in, we are, in fact, making an excuse for not doing anything, like a kid trying to get out of their chores. We are just sitting on our rear ends, accomplishing nothing for the Kingdom of God. We need to realize how much this grieves our Lord, just as parents grieve for the child who refuses to go to school, refuses to work, or just sleeps all
day and does nothing. That unfocused laziness and total lack of ambition becomes their child's life, not just for a short time, but for years. We must see the wondrous joy that comes from serving the Lord and the wonderful plan He has for us! It's a lot better then "pew sitting."
What does your Church see of its Lay People?
The ironic attitude of small churches is that most of them, but not all, refuse to help out the pastor as Christians are called to, since we are all ministers together. And, when the pastor tries to train and send out the lay people, he is confronted by frustrated and angry individuals who say, "we pay you to do that, why should we...?" The pastor's job is tough. He must be able to communicate the truth and wisdom of God's Word with the key political movers and shakers, and to transform their thinking from selfcentered to God-centered. At the same time, he must convince the congregation that the Bible calls us to make disciples. A tough job indeed. It may sound easy, but most Christians are stubborn, and may verbalize acceptance but will not practice it. Maybe Blackmon's article is correct indeed.
It's not so much that Christians are lazy; it is that we get comfortable and familiar with what we know, and the ability to go beyond our experiences and knowledge can be scary and disconcerting. So the Christian, or any person for that matter, will resist and fight change even though it is to our best interest, and even though this is what God calls us to do.
The cross replaced the old way of the church, and the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom to lift up our Lord and the church became poured out by the Spirit to us, the body. Thus, the ministry and responsibilities became real and relevant to all rather than to just a handful of priests. The experience of the church was for all, and the ministry for all believers became our call.
The Temple veil separated the priests and the holiness of God from the people; it protected God from our sin, and protected us from the wrath of God. The veil has been lifted, or actually torn in two, because Christ paid that debt, and we now have access to God without fear of retribution. The division of responsibility of the specific chosen priests also has been muted for the most part. God still chooses people into the ministry as a call and vocation, and their responsibility is to administer the Word and Sacraments. They are responsible to equip and train the lay people, and do the priestly things of marriage, burial, the Lord's Supper, and proclaiming the Word.
The problem we run into is that most churches have forgotten that the veil has been torn, and expect the pastor to perform everything while they sit as spectators. Therefore, they do not have to fulfill their responsibility and call. We must ask the question do we have a healthy understanding of the purpose and mission of the church and the role of the lay person versus the pastor? In the years since the end of World War II, the church has finally but slowly adopted more of a role for the lay person, and a mentality that the ministry is not the sole responsibility of the pastor. Calvin and Luther clearly taught the ministry of all believers, and the Catholic Vatican II of 1962 also has a similar proposition to it.
We still have a deep rooted sense of ministerial obligation to the paid professional, and this is good, as long as it is a respect for the office the pastor holds, and we yield to our responsibility. But, when we lift the pastor up as the only available and willing caregiver, we will have a lot of hurt and wounded people in our church. The pastor cannot do it all, especially when the congregation puts on the bathrobe of laziness instead of the armor of Christ.
The local church must place a high value on the lay person to be the feet of the ministry. The church leadership needs to take the ownership that they are not there for the sake of the meeting, but for the sake of the Lord, and to release the gifts and power of the congregation. Then, the church can assess the gifts, and train and equip the people for the Lord's service, with ongoing encouragement and training. When we fail at this essential task that Calvin and Luther spoke of so much, then we have a failed church and a stressed out and over-worked pastor.
Lay People Need to be Equipped
The lay person must be continually trained and supported by the pastor and church leadership to carry the ministry burden of the church. We are all called to be participants, not spectators. Ministry is not to take place solely in the church; remember, we are the church, so wherever we are, there is the church. When someone is sick at home, the lay person can give comfort and care to that person as well as prayer. The ministry of the church takes place in the context of the need, not just the location; wherever people are in the world, there is the need. If we venture out of our planet some day, then the ministry would take place there too. The body of Christ needs to keep the focus of its call to Christ, of one another, and of the world. Ministry no longer takes place by the few chosen priests alone; it has been franchised out to the rest of the Christians who are equipped with the various gifts and abilities for doing the Will of God.
The questions that the priest or the pastor alone had were how can I minister effectively to my neighbor in all of life's situations? How can I live out the truths of Scripture and God's will in society? What is my role and what are the gifts in my life? How do I please God with them? What are my responsibilities to my local church and the neighbor across the street? The baton has been passed-not the role of head equipper and minister of the Word and Sacraments, but the baton of the responsibility to care and to live out our faith effectively to one another. These are the questions we must all answer diligently with the Word of God, and then follow through with our will to conform. Christianity is no longer a spectator sport; we are not Monday night couch quarterbacks. We are the people of God, called to do His will.
Lay people Need to be Encouraged
When we start to function as a cohesive group, we will be amazed at the impact we have and the incredible, increased effectiveness in the building of the Kingdom of God. God's Word tells us that we have "diversity," yet in it all, we also have "unity." We are not to allow the diversity to be our focus, but we need to embrace it, train it, and direct it to the call, goal, and purpose our Lord has for us. We will have a healthy form of codependency and cooperation, filled with encouragement and love. Bitterness, strife, and the unhealthy codependency that ruins lives instead of building them up will no longer consume the ministry.
We all have different gifts and abilities given to us by the Lord for His purpose and glory. "Doing ministry" means we are to exercise the gifts that we each have received to accomplish His purpose. And, until the Lord calls us home or comes back, we are to keep plugging and persevering on.
Got problems in your church, then pray, have a great pastor? Then pray more…
Do you desire to fire your pastor? Perhaps you should fire them up instead! Do you want to leave your church? Perhaps you should be the one to build it up!
The best way to build your church and fire up your pastor is to be involved and pray for them constantly and continually! If you really what to put your faith where it is needed the most, commit yourself to support your Church and Pastoral Staff, and realize that God loves us all, and we are still in His Hands. Pastors and church leaders face many opportunities and challenges each day. They balance the stresses of ministry while they are researching and writing the sermons, managing the affairs of the church, going to countless meetings and counseling others significant problems. They wear many hats as the pastor, priest, counselor, preacher, teacher, manager, organizer, visionary, administrator and janitor all rolled into one with little to no free time. As well as dealing with the stresses of modern life with their family all under personal attack and usually doing life with a lower salary and an ungrateful congregation who expects them to be perfect. They need your help, they need your prayers! When we commit ourselves to pray for our pastors and church leaders, we will have no need to bicker, gossip, slander, withdraw, place blame, or seek to usurp our will as God's (Rom. 8:28, 8:33-34, 37-39). For our confidence in the fact Christ is our Sovereign Shepherd and He is in complete control of our church and staff, we are in His Hands and all will work out. Our pastors and leaders are here to serve, but they need our prayers and support to make this work! When we pray and come together tighter, we will have no need to fear or stress or remain in our hurts. We can come together triumphantly as a caring, loving community powerfully for His glory impacting our community (Isa. 6:1-12; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Pet. 3:12)!
Praying for your church is like filling a balloon with helium, the more it is filled, the more it will soar and not sore! For us to grow not just numerically, but in what is much more important, spiritually and in community to one another, requires our discipline and passion to pursue Christ more and ourselves less. We have to grow in Christ in a cherished, intimate growing relationship with Him as LORD over all and LORD over us. We are called to become purpose driven with His purpose at our helm of leadership and lives so that our trust and intimacy is rooted in Him and not in our personal ideas or distractions (1 Chron. 16:11; John 3:30;Eph. 6:16; Col. 2:6-8).
Use this prayer guide to pray daily for your church. Take one point each day of every month, and as you grow more in your discipline of prayer, double up by taking two or more.
First, praise God and thank Him for His blessings and goodness in all He has bestowed, even if you do not feel or see them. Remember your walk with Christ is all about Him working in and through us so your faith and love flourishes!
WEEK Number 1
Day 1.Pray that we realize that our inheritance and hope as a church family is in God's incomparable and incredible great power which is available to us (Gal. 1:12; Eph. 1:18-19; Phil. 3:10).
Day 2.Pray that our Church, Leadership and Pastoral Staff becomes more surrendered and poured out to Christ, so they can have spiritual breakthroughs by seeking the fear of God and the mind of Christ and the Spirit's leading (1 Cor. 2:16; Gal. 2:20-21).
Day 3.Pray that your Church and Pastor have and continue to take hold a growing, consistent walk with Christ with a devotional life and prayer that is steadfast. Pray that they realize and allow Christ to work and use them as they grow closer in their faith, spiritual formation, maturity and love (Psalm 16:8-11; 73:28; Rom. 8:31; 2 Pet. 1:5-7).
Day 4.Pray that all of the leadership exhibit good Christian character and integrity with all of their relationships and dealings in life (Micah 6:8).
“A day without prayer is a day without blessing, and a life without prayer is a life without power.” Edwin Harvey
Day 5.Pray that your Church leaders and Pastors families will be cared for and respected and receive good consideration, so they can to grow too, as they are usually misunderstood, under -appreciated, and ignored or overworked. Pray that all the staff be committed to their families with authentic love and care, that they will be strong and learn in the midst of trials, their homes a refuge and haven of rest and not be condescending or withdrawing from their own families (Psalm 91:9-15; Phil. 4:19; 1 Peter 2:23).
Day 6.Pray for discernment in exposing any plans of the enemy against our Church or attacking our pastors and staff. Ask Christ to protect us as we wage spiritual warfare against the enemy on behalf of our Church (Eph. 6:11-12, 16; Col. 2:6-8; 1 Pet. 3:12).
Day 7. Pray for an increase of vitality, renewal and vision that is from God for the pastors and leaders personally and collectively so that the church can be galvanized then take a hold of, and then be revitalized as a caring committed community for His Kingdom and purpose (Isa. 61:3; Rom. 12).
WEEK Number 2
Day 8.Pray for the willingness and ability to authentically confess and repent of any wrong doing, false dependencies, misplaced ideas and loss of spiritual passion (Luke 13:1-3; Acts 2:38-39; Rev. 2:5-6).
Day 9.Pray that you and your church commits to follow the biblical mandate to support and encourage the leadership of the church (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 Pet. 5:1-2).
Day 10. Pray against gossip, negative criticism, false expectations, unhealthy burdens, strife and weariness that will seek to invade our church family (Psalm 91:5-6, 11; Luke 10:19; Eph. 4: 17, 32-5:1).
Day 11. Pray that your church be a community of grace and forgiveness. That your church has an atmosphere of encouragement by being grateful for Christ's work in them that enables the congregation to be inspired to give genuine hospitality to all who comes though your doors (Rom. 15:4-6; 2 Thess. 2:16-17).
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:16 (ESV)
Day 12. Pray that your church commits to a healthy understanding, wisdom and accounting and handling of its stewardship and Finances to better receive God's blessings (Prov. 3:9-10; 1 Cor. 9:15-18)
Day 13. Pray that your Church and Pastor will have the strength and endurance that they need to serve with excellence by the power of the Spirit and the support of the congregation (Philippians 4:13).
Day 14. Pray for healing, forgiveness and reconciliation for any misplaced expectations, criticism, ungrateful attitudes, flawed thinking, grief, hurts, and abuse (Isa. 61:3; Mark 11:22-24, 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 4:32-5:1; Phil. 4:19).
Week Number 3
Day 15. Pray that your church would receive God's direction and vision. That the congregation gets nourished from the substance of His Word and the needs of the congregation are met (Psalm 119:9-12; Matt. 18:20).
Day 16. Pray that our church becomes real authentic disciples of Christ who are learning, growing and making Fruit and in turn making more disciples (Prov. 19:23; Mal. 3:11; Matt. 28:18-20; John. 15:16; Gal. 5:22-23)
Day 17. Pray that the spirit and practice of Humility is utilized and practiced in and outside of your church, and that false humility does not take root (1 Pet. 5:5-7).
Day 18. Pray that pride does not set in with our Leadership and Pastoral Staff (Psalm 10:4; Prov. 8:13).
Day 19. Pray that our church commits to place our focus on the Supremacy of Christ and be dependant upon Him (Gal. 6:14; Col. 1: 15-17)!
Prayer does not equip us for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
Day 20. Pray that our Church and Pastor give real biblical help and Counseling from God's wisdom and Word to those in need (Isaiah 61:3).
Day 21. Pray that our church family will give Christ real authentic adoration, praise, impassioned worship and glory in private and collectively as a Church. That worship is never to be a show, entertainment or talent focused, rather God is the audience to our praise (Gal. 6:14).
WEEK Number 4
Day 22. Pray that our Church and Pastor take accountability seriously and each be protected and have people they are accountable too. Also, that each would cultivate and pursue healthy relationships (Gal. 6: 1-10; Eph. 5:21).
Day 23. Pray that the Word of God will never be compromised, cheapened or dumbed down; rather be delivered in confidence with power, conviction, clarity, boldness, with love and in truth (Acts 6:4; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:15).
Day 24. Pray for discernment to seek God's leading and direction for the leaders and pastoral staff, that they seek His ways and not trends, traditions, personal agendas or anything that is not from the Spirit and Word. Pray that they can discern and prioritize what is important and precious and what is not (Isa. 6; 2 Cor. 11:14; 2 Tim. 3:5; 1 John. 4:1; Rev. 4).
“Get on your knees and ask for the blessing of the Lord. Then stand on your feet and do what you are asked to do.”
Gordon B. Hinckley
Day 25. Pray that God protects our Church, Leadership and Pastoral Staff from sin and misdirection and they have the wiliness and boldness to flee and confront sin (Prov. 19:23; 1 Pet. 1:16).
Day 26. Pray we all draw near to Christ and seek holiness and His presence with more prayer (Acts 1:14; 1 Thess. 5:17; Jas. 4:7-8).
Day 27. Pray that we as a church family remain faithful and good stewards, so the financial needs are met (Psalm. 91:15-16; Phil. 4:19).
Day 28. Pray that negative thinking, stress, being overwhelmed, the ways of the world, the tyranny of the urgent, being overcommitted, over busyness, fatigue, compromise, pressures, overworked, under-appreciated, misunderstandings, and stress to not get in our Spiritual Home and take over (John 14:1; Acts 6:2-4; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 4:17).
“Let the little ones come to me, and do not keep them away.” Matthew 19:14 (BBE)
WEEK Number 5
Day 29. Pray that Unity infuses your church so that your congregation is binding to Christ in love so the work of the Kingdom is promoted (2 Chron. 30:12; Psalm 133:1; Rom. 15:5).
Day 30. Pray that congregation is willing and able to come and support the church and staff with grateful hands and words. That you all realize that the pastors and leadership are necessary and called and accountable to God (Matt. 9:37; Acts 14; 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 10-15; 5:22-23).
Day 31. Pray that our church community commits to pray for our church, pastors, staff, missionaries, those in need, community and issues powerfully every day (Acts 1:14;16:16;1 Thess. 5:17).
It is God's call for all of us to Pray for our Church and Pastor!
Print this out and pass it to those in your congregation and watch your church grow closer to Christ!
By this time of the year, you have either completed the Nominations process for your local church or you are right in the middle of that process. Let me offer some things for you to think about as you seek to nominate persons for local church leadership roles.
1.) Does the person know Christ?
2.) Does the person engage actively in the life of the church and its ministries?
3.) Does the person show signs of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives?
4.) Does the person exhibit strengths, talents, or abilities that would make them especially suited for the role for which they are being considered?
5.) Does the person exhibit Christian maturity?
6.) Is the person known to be a leader in the church or the community?
7.) Is the person able to work well in a team setting?
The following are Microsoft Co-Pilot (AI) suggested questions:
1.) How does the person handle conflict or criticism?
2.) What leadership roles have the person held in the past, either in church or elsewhere?
3.) Are they willing to commit time and energy to this role? What might hinder that?
4.) How do they handle disagreements or tension within a team?
5.) How would they balance church responsibilities with family and work?
6.) Are they familiar with the expectations and responsibilities of this role?
7.) What role does prayer and Bible study play in their daily life?
“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been."
-Henry Kissinger
You receive this publication because you are a leader. You may be the chair of a leadership team or you may be a member of a leadership team. Each of you play your role in the leadership that the team makes to equip Holston Conference to be a place where passionate spiritual disciples are made and passionate spiritual leaders are formed.
This quote from former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, is a challenge. It talks about two locations: where we are and where we have not been. I dare say that we are all too good at figuring out where we are. Unfortunately, we still think we are at the place where we can live from our past glories believing that at any minute we are going to be just like we were back when. I challenge you. Stop looking at the past. All the past is good for is to show us where we were and maybe to remind us of some of the mistakes we made along the way that we do not want to make again. I challenge you to look for that land to which we have not yet been. I challenge you to lead your teams into places of ministry of which you have only dreamed.
If you want to change the future. You start today. If you want to see the Promised Land, then you need to start heading in that direction. If you want to experience God moving in great and mighty ways then go to those places that need to have God’s power and might displayed!
Go to where people are homeless. Go to where people are hungry. Go to those that are sick. Go to those that are in prison. Go to the least and the lost! They need God’s love! Lead your team to someplace that it has not been. In doing so, you might find that God is already there waiting for you to make the journey and become the hands and feet needed to minister in great and mighty ways.
Just to be honest with you, I am not sure where those words just came from because they were not what I meant to write. I was going to be pedantic and say: “It’s fall and it’s time to get your team together if you haven’t already done so.” You do need to do that by the way. Get the team together and go where you have never been.
