I have found that most church members say they stand behind their pastor, support him, and recognize him as the congregation’s leader. Yet many of those same people will question the direction he leads if it doesn’t align with their view of where the church should be heading.
Ezra was a spiritual leader of the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He was a part of a group that returned to Jerusalem some years after the initial wave of returnees. When he arrived, he discovered that things were not as they should be. Members of the Jewish community were marrying foreign wives in direct violation of the Law. Ezra, along with many others, prayed about this, confessing their sins to God.
Finally, one of the men in the group spoke to Ezra, calling on him to act to resolve this issue. But he did more than just challenge Ezra. He pledged his support, along with that of the others gathered there.
Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”
Ezra 10:4 NIV
So Ezra arose and began to deal with this violation of the covenant. And it was hard to do. It required the Jews to separate from their foreign wives and their children. That seems strange to us today. But it was necessary for them in that time and place.
While the circumstances are different today, our pastors are still often called on to make hard and challenging decisions and then follow through on them. Decisions that may well not be popular with much of the congregation. Will we trust that he is God’s man for this time in the church’s life and support him? Or will we complain and resist his efforts? How much better it would be if we all stood behind our pastor and supported him, as the assembly did for Ezra.
A word of caution, though. I am not suggesting that we follow our pastors if they act and lead in ways contrary to Scripture. Or if they are leading us to compromise with the culture around us. Instead, we should flee from these false prophets. But if we believe that God has called them to where they are, then we should support and follow them.
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)
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