Who leads the church?

We talk a lot about leadership in the church. We talk about those who are called to lead, those who are equipped to lead and those who are chosen to lead. We even question leadership in the church - is he capable? does she "get it"? are they actually leading?  As Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonian church, he talks about how leaders are to be assessed and treated. To get a full picture, we must first look at the makeup of leaders themselves. The responsibility of leaders, according to Paul, is to be examples to the believers in Christ Jesus. Imitators of Paul and his brother church planters would declare only the Gospel of God in Christ, keeping far from error or impurity or attempts to deceive. This is the core of "servant leadership" the only model that Jesus gave His followers. Leaders who have been "approved" by God and "entrusted" with the Gospel are not to please men - but to please God alone - to serve Him. It makes the job really tough. To never seek glory from others is the trap of leaders, particularly those who are often flattered with words designed to sway the leader away from placing Jesus first. Paul points to his own behavior among the Thessalonians, describing his behavior much like a mother to a child, in other words, much like a servant. He goes on to say that as leaders they were ready to share not only the Gospel, but themselves. Hmmm...how many leaders among us can honestly say the same? The struggle we have as leaders and as those who are led is the sense that all is well as long as we get our way - but as soon as it doesn't go our way - well... the church becomes something other than a place of joy, prayer and thanksgiving. Friends- as those who lead and those who are led we must remember only the model of Jesus and His disciples. Our Lord said these words in Matthew 20:25-28:

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as ransom for many."

This is the leader that shall be honored by those led - the one who garners "respect" because God's Word comes first. The reason? Simple - so that the people of God will remain at peace with one another. Leaders who serve by the power of the Word of God - lead by a Word that "admonishes" "encourages" and "helps" with "patience" for all. As the church leaders seek to do good to all, so all those who choose to follow must trust that the leaders will serve God first and men second. This, friends, will be the only way a church can "rejoice always" living lives of prayer and thanks to God  - this is the only way Spiritual gifts can be lifted up for the sanctification of soul and body. Servant leaders and Servant followers are one in the same - those touched by the Gospel and called to the one eternal faith - life in Christ Jesus!