This week's VOICE of Washington Street

Mon 01/16/2017 11:21:37.96


This week's bulletin is now available for viewing at www.wscoc.net/voice.cfm.


God bless,

Jim Black

Spiritual Leadership for God's people

When Israel went looking for a leader their first instinct was to look for a leader “like all the other nations.”  I suppose they thought that in finding a leader who was like all of the other leaders among the nations that the nation would get the respect that they thought they deserved.  Perhaps they were seeking a place of prominence in the world.  Perhaps they were seeking power among the nations.  Or perhaps they just wanted to have what other nations had.  Whatever the case, it did not work out well for Israel.  When God allowed his chosen nation to have their first “king”—in reality a rejection of His Lordship over the nation—they learned that having a leader like all the other nations was not all it was cracked up to be.  Saul, while seemingly possessing all of the outward qualifications one might look for in a strong leader, turned out to be a disastrous disappointment for Israel.  Even though he was strong and tall and impressive in appearance and stature, his moral character or lack thereof proved to be his own downfall.  When God then chose for Israel a new king, a young man named David, He made clear where they had gone wrong… “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:7 NIV)

 On Sunday, January 8^th, our Elders put before our church family the names of men whom they believe will be a great addition to our eldership and to our deacons.  They have asked Daniel Eldridge, Rick Patterson and J.B. Cox to serve in the role of shepherd or elder.  Additionally, they have asked Perry Gates and Brent Shockley to serve in the role of deacon.  While both roles are essentially servant-leadership roles, they have their distinctive functions within the church body and both are vitally important.  When the first-century church was considering men to serve as servant leaders among them, they recognized the importance and took care not to make the same mistake Israel made.  In Acts 6 the apostles decided to choose several men from among the church “who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.”  They knew that not only wise men were needed.  They knew that not only strong men were needed.  They knew that these men must be full of the Spirit of God in their lives!  We have always sought to follow their example in selecting men among us who likewise are known to be “full of the Spirit and wisdom.”

 Lord willing, on Sunday, January 22^nd, these men will take their place as elders and as deacons tasked with leading this church family in our own walk with the Lord.  I know each of them very well, am confident of their character and am looking forward to serving alongside each of them as we all together seek to grow in Spirit and wisdom for Him.  Please be in prayer for each of these men and their families (especially their families!) and also for the other men who are currently serving us in these roles.  May God continue to bless us as we seek Him!

-Jim