Loyal Leaders

This last month I’ve been writing about the Four Faces of The Bridge. We took last week off because it was Christmas weekend. But we’re back to finish the series this week.

We first talked about the Spiritual Seekers, those who are looking for the truth and want to know about God, but have not yet made the step of giving their lives to Christ. We’re glad you are here and are praying for you! We then talked about Distracted Disciples, the professing Christians who have become distracted from their commitment to Christ by things that will not matter a hundred years from now. Two weeks ago, we talked about Faithful Followers, those Christians who make the church what it is.

Finally, we have Loyal Leaders.

The Apostle James warned Christians to be slow to accept leadership roles because leaders are held to a higher degree of accountability. Yet someone has well said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” We have much to be thankful for here at The Bridge with our elders, deacons, and staff who faithfully fulfill their responsibilities. We appreciate your example and guidance in our church and your respective ministries.

Leadership is not easy. As James wrote, with leadership there is greater responsibility and greater accountability. By being a leader, you draw a target on your back. In most circles the easiest people to shoot at are those in responsible positions. It’s popular in our society to show as little respect as possible, and instead, backbite and complain about the boss, the parents, or the politicians. Sadly, this happens in churches as well. One person said, “It’s hard to be a leader these days – you don’t know if people are following you or chasing you!”

Some of that is deserved. Many leaders seek positions just for the fun of recognition or the pleasure of power. Leaders in all venues have let us down with their moral failures, arrogance, or lack of judgment. When we put others on pedestals, it doesn’t take long before we realize our mistake.

But recognizing their full humanity, I would like to express appreciation to the finest collection of leaders I have ever known. Our leaders at The Bridge show every evidence of loving God supremely and loving people sincerely. They love each other, they love ministry, and they love us as people. They have set a wonderful example for us and have proven that they are worthy of our loyalty and respect.

Let’s communicate to them how much we appreciate how seriously they fulfill their leadership responsibilities. They have demonstrated worthiness of the respect the author of Hebrews instructs us to give them (Hebrews 13).