He Put HIM on THEM

Today, I think about who God has brought to be our House Church Shepherds and elders. I AM SO GRATEFUL!

Don Lovy, Jacob Henson, Tom Mefford

Brad and Julie Burgess, Chris and Geneva Guthrie, Jacob and Adrienne Henson, Steven and Christine Taff and Sarah and I also serve as a shepherd.

I am grateful for these men and couples. In addition to these, we have a host of other servant leaders.

In Numbers, after the fiasco with the “rabble”, the Lord told Moses to gather 70 elders.
“Then I will come down and speak with you there and I will take away some of the Spirit who is upon you and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not have to bear it alone.” (Numbers 11:17)

There are four of us elders and there are 10 of us House Church Shepherds currently.
He gave the body leadership to help bear the hurts and burdens of the people. I am so grateful for them.

This past Thursday we gathered, are a meal and we listened as each house church shepherd shared burdens and victories. What a glorious time. Then we prayed. I have never been more excited to see what God is doing.

A few lessons from Numbers:
1. One man can’t carry the burdens of the church. It’s unhealthy and unbiblical. God saw it was too much and brought help.
(See my post earlier about PTCD-Post Traumatic Church Syndrome)

2. Pastors aren’t the only ones who have the Holy Spirit living in them!
God took some of His Spirit and put Him on them! This is what happened in Acts. He put Him on them! WOW!!!!
What would it look like if we recognized and believed that the Holy Spirit lives in ALL believers. The return of Christ would be here, but we live in a way that has no power. The power of the Holy Spirit sits dormant.
Wake up! All the power you need is in you!!

2. We see Ephesians 4:11-12 played out here and with Moses father in law Jethro, the role of the lead missionary/pastor-to equip. They are not meant to do it all.

3. We need strong, godly men to serve as elders. We as pastors need these “Aaron and Hurs” to help bear the burden, help remain doctrinally sound, help give biblical wisdom and help stay on course. Men, this is a worthy cause!

4. Pray for your pastors and elders. The weight that is put on these ordinary humans is a privilege and hardship, but worth it.
Don’t put unfair expectations on these men. Don’t put them on a pedestal. Don’t compare them with the latest, greatest Celebrity preacher!
Let them lead in their strength and their gifting. Don’t make them someone they are not.

Shoutout to my church:
My gift is missionary/evangelist (Ephesians 4:11,12). I can teach, but it’s not my main gift.
When we started Church Inside Out, one of the foundational scriptures was Ephesians 4:11-12 “And He himself appointed some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and some as teachers to fully equip and perfect the saints for works of service, to build up the body of Christ.”

Our aim was to help people find their gift and utilize their gift. In this, I have been able to recognize those with the gift of teaching and allow then to teach. I still get to teach, but those who have that gift, we empower.

I get to lead out of my strength (missionary/evangelist) and empower others where my weakness lies. They recognize my strength and let me lead.

It’s a beautiful thing happening and I am grateful for my church.

Who do you need to pray for from your church as you think about who God has called to lead?
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Men, are you pursuing Jesus not to make a name for yourself, but to be used for His purpose?