THE GOOD SHEPHERDS AMONG US

Church elders are a unique sort. Their mixturious traits can clearly be found in extremes. Some are tender while others are grumpy. One can find those of faith and others of withering fear.

Good shepherds are a true glory to God. From experience I find the effective ones live in glass houses and know it. They care for us because they insist the Good Shepherd be merciful to them. The poor leaders deny their own stark lack.

I have been blessed to have several good shepherds along the way. None of them pretended I was ideal and perfect just as they also assumed such was not true of themselves. Humility is the entire difference.

I often reference moving to Memorial and doing my best to work among philosophically poles-apart leadership with an immediate eye on the elders I'll have fifteen years from now. This congregation thrives due to the four we have at present.

Their secret? The same as the good ones all through the years. Sheer, adamant, intensely- aware-of-their-own-flaws humility. Is that not the example of the One Shepherd?

The good shepherds among us believe us into goodness. They bless us with what they need themselves; confidence in Jesus that we can position ourselves alongside God to accomplish kingdom life overflowing.

Good shepherds aren't perfect. They are highly aware that they are not. Ah, humility once again. Furthermore, they are acutely aware that we are not. They may correct and even rebuke. The good ones do so with ideal understanding for their feet are also fragile clay.

If you should be a shepherd reading this post, I encourage you to diminish the need to control and increase your power to believe in your flock. Your congregation has incredible talent, skill, and faith willing to break out in a glorious contagion. It does not need your approval nor your permission. It could use a clear signal that you believe they are intelligent, shrewd, and profoundly effective.

Great things don't get done in congregations because the elders weigh, vote, and endorse. Great things get done because they believe faith is a powerful force and the shepherds urge the flock to get on with its hopes and dreams.

My four good shepherds' motto is Stay out of the way! While they receive some criticism for this, the lavish content of fruit cannot be denied.

To the good shepherds among us, thank you. Thank you for trusting God with us when you hit so many points of not knowing just what to do next. Your love and freedom are showing.