Handling those tough moments of leadership

David Bowman Nov. 23, 2019

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Pastor Appreciation Month is over. Hopefully, you received the attention and affection you deserve all year long. Hopefully, you even received a nice gift or two, were treated to meals and given notes filled with kind words. 

Unfortunately, I know some of you got a nice pat on the back and a brief, “Thanks, preacher!” Some of you did not even get that. 

I still remember how humiliated I was when a guy in one church I served said to the congregation, “Let’s all stand and clap for our preacher.”

I once heard an evangelist preach from Acts 7 about Stephen. As his opposition shook their fists in his face, Stephen “full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, ‘Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!’” (Acts 7:55-56 CSB). 

The evangelist said that is how Jesus welcomes home his preachers. Now I wouldn’t build a whole theology around that statement, but I love the sentiment. 

Only Jesus

Only Jesus knows the time you lifted a bite to your mouth only to have the telephone ring and have to leave for the hospital because someone was at death’s door. 

Only Jesus knows the times you were awakened in the night by suicidal church members. 

Only Jesus knows about the telephone conversation you had with the man who was on his way to murder his wife. 

Only Jesus knows about all the terrible, awful secrets you keep.

Only Jesus knows about all the hate mail.

Only Jesus knows about the blame placed on you because of someone else’s bad decision.

Only Jesus knows.

Only Jesus.

This reminds me of one of my favorite verses from one of my favorite scenes in the Bible. Jesus, Peter, James and John are on the Mount of Transfiguration. All the drama happens. Then comes the summary statement: “Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus,” (Mark 9:8 CSB).

Only Jesus. 

Jesus never mocks. Jesus never sends hate mail. Jesus never belittles you. Jesus never blames you. 

Jesus loves you. 

Look who’s standing

I have every confidence that no matter how shabbily you are treated as one of his preachers, one day Jesus will stand in your honor. On that day you will experience what John did on Transfiguration Mountain and again when he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” (Revelation 1:10). 

When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.~Revelation 1:12-16 NLT

Only Jesus.

This is who you live for, who you serve with all your might. This is who you pour out your heart to in prayer. This is who you seek to honor and to please. 

He knows. He loves. And he does not have to be asked to stand and applaud. 

Live with his brilliance ever before you. Reflect his glory to everyone you encounter. Know that he who called you is faithful to the end and forever. 

In the words of Pastor Max Lucado, live for the applause of heaven. 

Photo source: istock 

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David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More »

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