ASLC Devotions - Friday

1 Peter 5:1-5 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you ²to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. ³Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. ⁵In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for
‘God opposes the proud,
   but gives grace to the humble.’

I wanted to give you this whole extended passage today to read. It provides a vision of what leadership and community look like in the church. There are leaders in the church (today we call them pastors and Church Council members, etc). Those who are called to lead are called to do so as examples, not using power for power's sake, not "lording it over" anyone to get their own way.

The key part to me and the way leadership works in the church is in the final verse: all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another. Does humility mark your dealings? Would people describe you as humble? I pray for God's gift of humility for all of us.

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

Men's Breakfast meets tomorrow morning at 8 am. Worship Sunday at 8:30 and 11 with Education Hour at 9:45.