The Call to Community
Something that many people often forget is that church leaders are regular people, too, just like the rest of the congregation. They’re fallible, human people who acknowledge that they need a Savior just to help them put one foot in front of the other day after day. Church leaders, especially pastors, are often held up on a pedestal before the congregation, whether the people of the congregation (or the pastors themselves) realize it or not.
The Burden of Ministry
In Exodus Chapter 18, we see that Moses was held up as such a leader before the Israelites after leading them out of Egypt. He was the judge and shepherd of the people, resolving disputes and making known the will of God. In Exodus 18:17-23, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro tells him that doing it all alone is not a good idea—Moses is bound to burn out if he keeps shouldering the weight of the people’s concerns all by himself. Jethro tells Moses to gather trustworthy people around him, people who will help him bear the burden of leadership and ministry, people who fear the Lord.
The same concept needs to be applied to church leaders. Shouldn’t we encourage them to seek out support from fellow leaders, even if those leaders aren’t from their specific congregation? Many pastors burn out or fall off their proverbial pedestals because they don’t recognize their need to surround themselves with fellow ministers who can help them accomplish the mission of the Church with honesty and integrity. The burden of ministry is too heavy for any one man or woman to bear alone. We were never meant to lead like this.
Exodus 18 wasn’t the only time or even the first time that Moses had to learn this lesson. In fact, the Lord showed him this truth the chapter prior in Exodus 17. When the Israelites fought the Amalekites, Moses held up his arms with the staff of God, and when he did this, the Israelites were winning the battle. But Moses’ arms grew tired, and whenever he would lower them, the tide of battle turned in favor of the Amalekites. So he got his brother Aaron and his friend Hur to hold up his arms for him so the Israelites would win the day.
Even pastors and church leaders need to have their weak arms strengthened (Isaiah 35:3, Hebrews 12:12). Everyone who ministers before the Lord needs help. Not every pastor or church leader asks for or receives that help, though. As a result, they risk falling into sin, leading their congregations astray, or exhausting themselves spiritually trying to do right by everyone.
Let’s Build Community. Together.
Leadership in the church doesn’t have to be lonely. These needs can be addressed and attended to.
Our seminaries and pulpits are full of people on fire for the Lord. They’re ready to step up or keep pressing forward, no matter the cost. There are many who have heard the calling of God upon their lives to be leaders, to build ministries and legacies that will point people to Christ.
It’s because of the needs of pastors and church leaders that we at Lead Deep are hosting the first ever Lead Deep Conference! This event isn’t your average church conference, though. It’s a time to network with fellow church leaders, ask the tough questions, and receive truth in return. It’s a time to gather in cohorts, learn interactively with other pastors and lay leaders, and participate in Q&As.
The Lead Deep Conference features two Growth Tracks: the Leadership Development track and the Spiritual Formation track. These two learning paths will provide leaders with the opportunity to receive the tools they need to press forward into the call, to discuss what it means to be a spiritual leader in this increasingly complex and spiritually needy age, and to spur one another on in faith and good works. We will break bread together, drink lots of coffee together, and grow as a result of the ministry of presence.
The Lead Deep Conference will be held at Lynchburg First Church of the Nazarene, from 12:30 PM on Thursday, September 30, until noon on Saturday, October 2. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in the Lynchburg First Church of the Nazarene 2021 Revival series during the evenings of those three days, as well as join the congregation for Sunday morning worship. And there will, of course, be plenty of food (not just the spiritual kind!). If you have any questions or are an LFCN member, please contact Stephen Willis (stephen@lynchburgnaz.com) or Mike Lyle (mlyle@lynchburgnaz.com) prior to signing up. Register today, and get ready to experience the work of the Lord breaking new ground in your heart and in your ministry.