While reading through the gospel of Mark the last several evenings, I’ve been amazed at how Jesus went about leading others in the way of the Father. In many ways, one can actually see Jesus redefining who the Father is to a people who made God into their own image. The way he shared the Father’s love with the broken, marginalized, despised re-presented God to the masses; that God wasn’t an abstract idea limited to the legal experts, but that he could be touched, heard, petitioned, trusted.

In our day and age, especially in the modern church, we oftentimes derive our model of leadership from so many places other than the life of Jesus. Granted, there are numerous helpful principles to learn regarding leadership from corporate execs, nonprofit organizations, etc. But at the heart of “Christian” leadership has to be the life and ministry of Jesus – a life lived under the influence and power of the Spirit. And it’s this Spirit-led leadership that is essential in expanding God’s Kingdom amidst this war-zone of a world.

In the gospels, such leadership is flexible enough not to be insensitive to the ever-changing challenges persons face. Yet, it’s not without purposeful direction and inflexible resolve. Taking priority is the love of the Father being shared by the power of the Spirit. We do well to face up to the reality that the Spirit-led, Jesus-like leadership that we need in the church will stand over against those who are not about the Father’s business. A broken, worldly system no doubt has leaders that spearhead movements that go with the current of selfish ambition. However, among those living under the reign of Jesus are brothers and sisters who cry out for the Spirit’s empowerment to lead others in the ways of God in a manner that doesn’t undermine the message they proclaim.

These leaders may not make the covers of magazines or win the applause of many; yet, they lead people in a new way of life – real life – where they discover what it means truly to be a human being. And the only way that we can show others what true humanity looks like is to look at the life and ministry of Jesus who is the first fruits of a new humanity. He shows us what it means to be genuinely human. His relationships with others help us understand what it means to do the will of the Father and lead by the power and presence of the Spirit.

Well, Dee has completed the written portions of her comprehensive exams.  She is relieved to say the least, even though she doesn’t know her score as of yet.  Overall, she feels pretty good about the tests.

Since we visited Georgia this past week, in order to be with Grandaddy who had a heart procedure, and given the fact that Dee’s exams pushed her into study overdrive, we are still in the process of unpacking, rearranging, etc. in the new house.  Things are coming along quite well; just taking a good bit of time.  And lil’ Oz (our Yorkie, of course) is adjusting.  I think he likes the new place much better.

I’ve tried to dig into quite a bit of reading here lately.  On the menu for the next several weeks is Justification (N.T. Wright), Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony (Richard Bauckham), and re-reading Theology of Hope (Jurgen Moltmann).  I’ve still got to finish People of Bread (Vondey) and Satan and the Problem of Evil (Boyd), but my teachings at the church have pushed me into the previously mentioned works at the moment (to finish the latter two in the not-too-distant future).

These last few weeks I have been pondering the call of God regarding ministry.  What does it mean to be “called to full-time ministry?”  Are all Christians called to such?  How has professionalization affected our understanding of the call of God to minister to others?  Is our ordination processes in accordance with the biblical witness?  How does one decide which organization (denomination) within which to serve?  How does the church safeguard brothers and sisters from venturing into areas of ministry that may not be a good fit?  Amongst others…

I recently spoke with a young man who is stepping into a new place of ministry.  He was explaining to me how he had so many differing opinions from folks in his life concerning his upcoming ministry move.  Yet, I could tell that his deep desire was to hear the voice of God amidst the many voices.  And it’s not to say that God doesn’t speak through others.  We referenced Proverbs 11.14 – “Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (ESV).  However, it is to wonder how God deals with certain people and reveals to them their purpose.  A shrub ignites for Moses; a theophanic vision engulfs Isaiah; a confrontation from Christ blinds the apostle Paul.  So many throughout the Scriptures seem to have overwhelming manifestations of God’s presence and direction.  Yet, what of today?  From time to time, we hear of momentous encounters with God experienced by our sisters and brothers.  But is there room for subtle, intensifying calls?  If so, how do we discern such?

Peace,

Shannon

Our church is undergoing a pastoral change this month.  Our current pastor is retiring (after almost 9 years at this particular church).  So this past week, we interviewed three candidates for the position of lead pastor.  One thing is for sure; this process has definitely been a learning one for Dee and myself.  This is the first pastoral transition of which we have been part.

Interestingly, many of the questions and comments shared by our brothers and sisters in Christ concerning the candidates revealed the differing views of what a pastor’s primary role is within a local assembly.  Some were concerned that a pastor have his hands in every aspect of the ministry.  Others asked that the pastor be a “preaching preacher.”  The question was also raised concerning which bible translation the pastor would use.  Some desired that the pastor serve as a facilitator of empowering others, rather than attempting to do most of the work of the ministry alone.  And there were many other comments and questions, some pertaining to family, music preference, motivation for transition, etc.

For those who dare share their thoughts on this important topic, I invite your comments on what you believe is the primary role of the pastor.  Should a pastor be the primary caretaker, visitor, preacher, teacher, administrator, financial decision-maker, etc.?  If so, why?  If not, please explain a bit and maybe share your thoughts and/or expectations regarding the pastorate.  Feel free to reference scriptures, past experiences, etc. in your response.  We’re trying to get at the heart of the biblical picture of a pastor regarding local church ministry.

Blessings,

Shannon

Entering the room, I didn’t know exactly what to expect.  I knew that it was a wonderful opportunity to be able to meet and talk with some fellow ministers concerning what it means to follow Jesus Christ and lead others in this path.  Young in ministry and in my overall walk with God, there is so much of which I am unaware. Programs, leadership styles, methodologies, conflict resolution, vision casting, spiritual guidance, family nurture, spiritual warfare, biblical exposition, mentorship, communication, time management, ecumenical perspective, organizational facilitation, and the list goes on and on. So many things to consider in the direction of pastoral ministry.  

In many ways, and oftentimes, the how tends to overshadow the why. To me, the why is a given.  God loves us and made a way for persons to be restored to Him.  By faith in Jesus, we enter into a relationship with God.  This relationship is empowered by the Holy Spirit (God), so it is a matter of trust and obedience as opposed to simple will power and personal piety (although both are involved).  As we grow in this relationship, God calls us to a life of influencing others to enter his Kingdom, thereby embracing his lifeline to rescue us from eternal sin and death.  The why seems much clearer than the how.  Thus, in my mind I think I was more focused on learning the latest info pertaining to the how of ministry.  You know, that which makes things more “effective.”

And as I’m walking into the room, I see an older lady who appears sweet and hospitable, yet somehow firm and resolved.  

“Hello, my name is Shannon.”

With a gentle smile, she replies, “Hello, Shannon.  I’m Margaret Gaines.”  

My mind considers the name somewhat familiar.  However, it doesn’t fully dawn on me until we’re all seated and the meeting begins – Margaret Gaines…(trying to remember)… She is the missionary to the Arabs of whom I have heard tremendous accounts of miracles in ministry.  In a short while, Sis. Gaines is asked to share with us some things on her heart concerning ministry.

Of all the things which she shared, the one thing that resonates in my mind pertains to the simplicity of walking with God.  We must be willing to walk with God.  And in walking with God, his love draws us into a loving relationship (with Him and others).  Such a relationship entails a sincere trusting God with our lives that finds expression in faithful obedience to God’s Word.  So, beyond novel methods, models and means, the word shared was one that called us back to the simplicity of faith – as a child lays her head upon the shoulder of her father, we can trust our Father to take care of us in spite of the storms.  

Arriving home later that evening, I thought of the many wonderful things learned throughout the day.  However, some things slipped through… They slipped through the note-taking, concept-oriented rationality which is definitely a necessary component, and they began to percolate in hidden places of my heart.  No matter how well versed I am in the methods, models and means of ministry, the heart of my influence stems from walking with God.  Am I walking with God, day by day, place by place, conversation by conversation?  Have I pledged devotion to Him, even when I don’t fully understand life, death, the world, the church, salvation, sin, people, pain, etc.?  For it is in walking with God that I find myself joined hand in hand, heart in heart, gift in gift with other brothers and sisters of like surrender who know that without trusting God, we are left to our own devices.  Such a picture underlines the gravity of being disconnected from God (by sin) and the gracious redemption offered by a loving Father determined to rescue his children.

Pondering her call to walk with God,

Shannon