Acts 14:23

Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Paul’s first missionary journey is incredibly impressive. Having been nearly killed in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went on to Lystra where the situation went from them being adored to Paul being stoned so badly that some people thought he was dead (vv19-20). However, he summoned the strength to go on to Derbe where he and Barnabas preached and got a wonderful response. Then with massive courage, they headed back to Lystra and Iconium in order to strengthen the believers and appoint elders. They knew that, if these young churches were to flourish, they would desperately need leadership.

As we read about the amazing growth of the early Church, there is no question that leadership was an integral part of God’s plan. And the Church today it is no different. Good, godly, leadership is vital in every age and so it is important to reflect on what it should look like. It is all too easy to assume that it is the same as the leadership that you might find in a business or sport. No doubt there are some elements in common, but Christian leadership is distinctive in that we are called to be servants of the living God. Jesus modelled this. He told the disciples that their earthly leaders exercised leadership by dominating those they led and then said sharply: “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43–45).

Christian leadership is always incredibly rewarding but immensely tough. There can be nothing more wonderful than to work for Jesus and to base one’s life on him but, at the same time, it shouldn’t surprise us if we face the pain of rejection just as he did.

Question

What are you able to do to support Christian leaders?

Prayer

Loving God, thank you for the gift of leaders in your Church. Help me to love and support them in their demanding work. Amen