I MET WITH A COUPLE in their home. It was a number of years ago. They wanted to talk about the leadership of the church. You see, the list of nominated elders and deacons had come out and they were not happy. They both commented to me, “Couldn’t you find somebody better?”
A little about this couple: They were at church every week. Good and faithful members. But, one had refused to be nominated as a church officer. The other served as an elected leader in the church but had resigned. Yet, as we sat in their sunroom, they expressed concern about the new church leadership. Somebody, but not them, should step up.
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THIS MORNING as you looked at the nominees you may have mentally raised the question, “Why these?” Or just as the disciples grumbled about James and John, you mumbled something about a few families taking over the church. Perhaps you’ve already wondered aloud to others as you prepared for worship. “Surely there is somebody else.”
I know you are busy. Time is precious. That’s why grocery store online ordering and pickup is growing more and more popular. Pate and his wife, Brett, have both agreed to serve as elders. That’s not something we normally do — have married couples serve at the same time. Between them they have four children, the youngest 10 months. They both work full-time jobs in addition to their family commitments and activities.
Why, with all that’s going on in that young couple’s lives, would they agree to serve? Pate said:
“A chance to be more active. I’ve had opportunity to work on stuff like Sunday school or Bible school but never asked before to have a bigger opportunity to serve.”
Brett responded:
“I’ve been a fellowship deacon for almost three years and I just felt that I need to continue to serve the church.”
Thank you two for your commitment.
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HERE’S THE LOWDOWN. You might disagree that Pate and Brett should be elders because they are married to each other or because they’re related to me. You can’t complain about those chosen for leadership when you are unwilling to lead.
Maybe you say you’ve “had your turn.” I get that. Mike and Mark have both served on session before, several times. When I asked Mike why he agreed to serve again, he said:
“Because that is my church [40-plus years] and I see us struggling in attendance. I would hope our session will be healthier than ever. The main reason: I don’t say no to the Lord.”
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SOME OF YOU are already servant leaders in so many ways that the committee wanted others to be trained in the joy and opportunity of service. Thank you for your dedication on committees, the music ministry, teaching and other leadership roles. But opportunities go lacking. People to plant flowers. Or clean gutters. Or greet. We talk about the importance of children to the church, but struggle to find teachers. More things for kids to do, but somebody else must make sure it gets done.
Some of you, for health reasons, are no longer able to serve the church in this way. Thank you for your past leadership and your ongoing prayers and support. Some of you are still getting your feet wet in this thing called church and Presbyterians. But you’re leading where you can.
But for still others, you have been asked again and again and have said no. No to church office. No to greeting. No to teaching. No to nursery work. No to helping with the church grounds. Everyone has life issues going on. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. The issues may be different but we all have stuff that gets in the way.
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CHARLIE HASTINGS CALLED ME yesterday. He’s on session and in charge of buildings and grounds. Life is overwhelming for his family now. Blakely, their newborn daughter, isn’t sleeping at night. So, they’re exhausted and behind at home and work. He called, saying he needs a break from responsibilities. I told him to take time off. Get caught up, get some rest, let’s talk again after the first of the year.
That leaves a void in buildings and grounds. Will leaders step forward to fill the gap? (Update: Daryl Pichoff did step up after today’s 8:00 service and agreed to handle buildings and grounds until the end of the year.)
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YOU MIGHT KNOW Al and Tina. Al is an elder. Tina is a deacon. Al works. Tina had to stop working a few years back because of health reasons. She battles cancer and currently is in a trial study at UAB. I asked them to share with you, with all that’s going on in their lives, why they are leaders at Swift Church.
I’ll share with you, with permission, parts of what Tina said. Tina was extremely ill. She was in the nursing home for rehab but wasn’t sure if she was going to live or die. She wrote me:
“One of my daughters came to my bedside and, seeing how much pain I was in, said ‘Mama, I know how hard this is for you and if you are ready and you ask God to take you, I understand.’ Well, I prayed about it and I decided I wanted to keep living. I told God if he would let me live then I would serve Him in His church. I am trying to honor my commitment to God…. I know that one is not supposed to bargain with the Creator of the Universe but I did. He has more than held up His end by not only allowing me to live but He has let me walk again and has blessed me until my cup overflows. I am just trying to live out the commitment I made and He even turns that into a blessing for me.”
Thank you, Al and Tina, for your ongoing service.
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BEING A LEADER takes courage, discipline, and determination. We read in Galatians 6:9:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
— Keith Cardwell
