Title: What is the Mission of a Leader?
To commemorate TLCC’s 10th anniversary this coming July, we are going to install deacons and deaconesses in TLCC. Deacon refers to a congregation who serves. In a narrow sense, a Sunday school teacher, a worship leader, a treasurer: as they are serving in various ministries, they can be installed as deacons and deaconesses. But in a wider sense, as we are all called to serve, all the saints can be installed as deacons.
Each church can decide how they want to operate with deacons and deaconesses. So, this year TLCC is also going to give a deaconship to a certain congregation.
Eldress-Deaconess is a female deacon. However, Eldress is not a female elder or the wife of an elder. The accurate word for Eldress is Exhorter. Thus, eldresses’ main job is to look after the congregations: to check whether they are ok in physical and spiritual manner, and if any congregation needs support or daily counselling, eldresses are to offer such support.
Elder is not a hierarchy or a higher position than others. Elder means responsibility and wisdom. If we look at Acts 6, it explains that Early Churches were growing and there were too much works to do. So, the disciples decided to install 7 ordained deacons to be entrusted with the church works so that the disciples can devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:1-4).
The ordained deacon developed to Eldership in Presbyterian system. It is not that a pastor doesn’t have a responsibility or cannot take care of the church work. But if there are elders and if they are working properly, then the pastor is released from the church works to the elders and be able to focus on the ministry.
Regardless of what title we may have, we are all to serve God and we are all God’s servants. What shall we do as God’s leaders and His servants?
- Leaders must refine themselves (1 Cor 4:1-2)
The Bible says that God is looking for trustworthiness from His servants. How can we be found trustworthy?
Although we want to be used by God, if we are not prepared to be used, we cannot be used. A leader does not become ready just because he or she has been appointed or received any position. He has to refine and polish himself just like a knife has to be sharpened to be good. So, the moment we receive the title is not the end point but the beginning of refining ourselves so that we can be used by God repeatedly day after day.
A rotten knife is not only useless, it is also deadly and poisonous. Let’s not become a rotten servant to God or to His church but be cleansed and sharpened so that like it is written in Mat 25:21, may we hear our Father God saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you are faithful with things I entrusted to you, I will put you in charge of many things and enter into the joy of your master.”
- Leaders must bear others’ weaknesses (Rom 15:1)
While we are having a church life, we sometimes hear good news about others, but we will also hear bad news about others. In the secular world, we may try to find out who is responsible for the matters and things. Somehow, leaders must bear others’ weaknesses. Even if you heard bad news, we shouldn’t circulate or reproduce those bad news to others. Rather, we should pray for their weaknesses
Of course, there could be times like one really turned against God and the church and keep making damages to the church, excommunication would be the only option to go forward. However, before we use the extreme solution, we should try to bear each other’s weaknesses and reconcile with one another.
We know that Judas Iscariot sold Jesus to the religious leaders with 30 silvers. But, on the cross, when Jesus prayed ‘Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing’, in this prayer, Jesus included Judas Iscariot as well (Luk 23:34).
Leaders shouldn’t’ have my side and your side. There should be only one side that is God’s side (Exo 32:26). When Moses came from the mountain, he didn’t look for whoever that is on his side but look for whoever that is on God’s side.
The founding pastor explained that the reason why we should look for reconciliation and unity is because we alone cannot fight and win the spiritual battle that we will encounter in the end (Rom 8:28). He used this scripture to explain that all things must work together to bring about goodness.
Conclusion:
Leader must edify
Rom 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
Church is the place where sinners gather. Therefore, it is inevitable to see many mistakes and wrongdoings happening in the church. However, when we bear each other’s weaknesses and help each other, we can grow together to become purified and sanctified congregation (Mat 25:45; Col 3:23). Amen.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 