1 Thessalonians 5:13 encourages the church to esteem its leaders. The word means to “go over in your mind all the qualities of a person and to have admiration in the Lord of them”. They were to value them “very highly” for their works sake. The truth is that any church that functions well does so because of the leadership! When we allow God to place people in positions of leadership the result is always a healthy church in Christ.
These servant’s should serve with nothing to gain as if they had nothing to lose! If you can’t admire those that God has placed over you in church then either your heart needs to change or you need to change where you fellowship.
Saints, we can all find reasons why we don’t like a particular church and reasons why you shouldn’t make a certain church your home church.
•A lot of those reasons are based upon personal preferences….you want a church where they do only Hymns …. You want a church that only does contemporary music.
•Some of those reasons are doctrinal….you want a church that believes exactly the same way that you do with regards to the “non-essentials” of the faith.
•Others are cultural…..you need to be in a church where you understand the language….or the culture needs to be in a way that will facilitate spiritual maturity.
But with that said the importance of finding a local fellowship must have as its end not a place where you can COME….but rather a place that encourages you to GO! Based upon the New Testament letters the early church was designed to equip believers to GO and utilize the gifts and talents to reach a hurting and dying world with the great news that Jesus can transform lives. Every church leader must realize three truths about the church they serve in:
•I’m certain that we are not a fellowship that pleases everyone that comes
•I’m certain that we will do things and say things that not everyone will agree with all the time.
•I’m certain that those that lead this fellowship have two great loves and demonstrate it every day: The Lord, and His people!