Growing into Christ (6)

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mothercherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2.7, 8

The Elder and His Work
David Dickson (18210-1885)
“Much of our usefulness will lie in not only knowing the wants, natural and spiritual, of our people, but in our having that heart-sympathy with them which will make us open our hearts to them, and will lead them to open their minds and hearts to us in return.”

Good shepherding begins in relationships of mutual love and trust. Our Good Shepherd set the example by knowing us, His sheep, and by leading us to know Him, our Shepherd. Leaders must lead in establishing such relationships, opening their hearts to those they serve, so that the Lord’s flock might be open and honest with them as well. This can be treacherous ground, given our sinful, selfish bent. But Jesus walked it, and He has set us in His flock to take the same risks as He. For the payoff, when the Spirit blesses such heart-to-heart living, is love and peace and joy in the Lord. Here is where the love of Christ can flourish, and out of that love, all the fruit of the Spirit and gifts for ministry that go to building-up the Body of Christ. The harder we work at knowing our sheep and being known by them, the greater the benefit will be to the whole congregation.

Such relationships take time. How much time do your elders, deacons, or leaders spend getting to know the people in their charge?

If Men Will Pray
Paul explicitly declared that men everywhere should lift holy hands in prayer, so that the Gospel could flourish (1 Tim. 2.1-8). So how is it with the men of your church? Are they men of prayer? Do they take no rest, and give God no rest, seeking Him in prayer? Men at Prayer provides resources for you to use in enlisting, equipping, and encouraging your men for prayer. Watch this brief video, then begin developing a strategy for leading the men of your church to take their place on the wall, seeking the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening in our day. If you need helping thinking this through, or you’d like to talk about this effort, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations are from David Dickson, The Elder and His Work (Dallas: Presbyterian Heritage Publications, 1990).