"Servant Leadership"

Call to Worship (Psalm 72, 2 Corinthians 5)

The Holy One, defender of the poor and needy, calls us to gather now. We come, thankful to be a part of this family of faith. God knows us well and calls us by name. We hear our name and respond to God’s call. The love of Christ urges us on.

Opening Prayer (2 Corinthians 5)

God of every thought and reality, the holy, prophetic sustainer of community, we gather here today as your people, children of the good news. Assure us of your presence once again, that we may trust the mystery of life and growth, as we gather in the name of our Savior, who is Jesus, the Christ.

Invitation to the Offering (Mark 4)

These summer days, the earth produces of itself, first the stalk and then the full grain. We celebrate the abundance of our loving God, and offer up a part of that abundance now.

Prayer of Preparation (1 Samuel 15, Mark 4)

Holy God, we want to be like Samuel, ready to change course when you call, ready to do our part even when it isn’t quite what we expect. O glorious Spirit of Surprise, open our hearts to your word in fresh, new ways. Amen.

1 Timothy 5:17-18 New International Version 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”

Introduction:W.E. B. Du Bois spoke about the black pastor in his classic book, The Souls of Black Folk when he wrote:

“The preacher is the most unique personality developed by the Negro on American soil.”1

Du Bois continues his description of the black preacher by saying:

“He early appeared on the plantation and found his function as the healer of the sick, the interpreter of the Unknown, the comforter of the sorrowing, the supernatural avenger of wrong, and the one who rudely but picturesquely expressed the longing, disappointment, and resentment of a stolen and oppressed people. Thus as bard, physician, judge, and priest, within the narrow limits allowed by the slave system, rose the Negro preacher, and under him the first Afro-American institution, the Negro church.”2

These statements by Du Bois serve two roles for the observance of the Pastor’s. First, they set the position of the black pastor in a clear historical framework that is different from the role played by any other religious leader of any other ethnic community in the United States. Second, they make clear that pastors within the African American church are far more than preachers. They are teachers, counselors, political advocates, community organizers, comforters at the hospital bedside, and consolers at the cemetery graveside, all the while realizing that they are ministering to persons birthed in the crucible of oppression who daily still face oppression.

Yes, I know that there are preachers who do not represent a continuation of the historic role that has been the hallmark of this position for over three-hundred years. Yes, I know that in this era of heightened prosperity theology, there are preacher/pastors who are more focused on personal enrichment than they are on servant leadership in the roles discussed by Du Bois. However, the average preacher does not serve for pay, pastoring no more than 200 to 300 members, and many pastors are bi-vocational to make ends meet.

Part Two: Biblical Commentary I Timothy 5: 17-18 is set in the context of the Apostle Paul reminding a young man named Timothy concerning the role of and the importance of leaders in the life of the Christian church. Much like David attempting to tell his son Solomon what it would take to be an effective king (II Samuel 23: 2-4), what Paul is doing, especially in chapters 3-5 of I Timothy is setting forth what constitutes being an effective minister - elder - pastor in the church. In the third chapter Paul writes of some of the qualities expected of a leader within the church, whether it be the bishop (ordained clergy), or the deacon (ordained lay leader). For the office of the pastor it includes such things as living a moral life, possessing a gentle spirit, not exhibiting a great interest in money, maintaining an orderly family life, being well thought of by persons outside of the congregation, and being above reproach when it comes to relationships within the congregation. In the fourth chapter Paul addresses some of the challenges that await anyone who assumes the office of a pastor or minister. These would include the work of safeguarding the faith against false doctrine, the challenge of living a godly life before the people, and the responsibility of rigorously employing the spiritual gifts that Timothy possessed, and the authority he received from Paul as a result of his ordination. In the fifth chapter Paul focuses upon church organization and administration. While the issue he discusses is that of the care of widows, the larger issue is being sure that the church is organized so that certain areas of need are met, certain standards are established regarding who should and should be helped, and so that others in the congregation and in the community assume their responsibilities relative to caring for one another. As with the creation of the office of deacons in Acts 6, following the complaint about an unequal distribution of resources between the Palestinian and Greek widows in Jerusalem, Paul is urging Timothy to be sure that these administrative details are properly handled, and to do so without losing sight of those assignments that are uniquely his; especially preaching and teaching. The idea of ruling well, now called administration or governance, should be understood in light of the sense means, one who runs or oversees the running of a household. Here, the household is the church. Paul’s writings would suggest that the work of governance is just as important, if not more so than the work of preaching. This is an important point to make in churches where so much attention is given to the “top ten preachers” who have oratorical prowess. While the gift of preaching certainly deserves to be celebrated, the reason we observe the Pastor has just as much, if not more, to do with their equal effectiveness in the work of governance. The idea of “double honor” is based on the Greek word time(pronounced as tee-may) which equates to compensation/payment; in short some an additional monetary expression is warranted.3 The word honor does not simply refer to prestige or status within the community. Rather, it implies some compensation above and beyond the norm in recognition of a job well done. This is no small point for two reasons. First, it frees up the church to celebrate those pastors who have done an exemplary job. Second, it challenges those pastors who want to be the beneficiaries of an observance to be careful to do the work of good governance. It is in response to that level of pastoral effort that an observance of the Pastor’s should take place.

Preaching is proclaiming the Word of God and confronting listeners with the truth of Scripture. Teaching is explaining the truth in Scripture, helping learners understand difficult passages, and helping them apply God’s Word to daily life. Unfortunately, however , we often take them for granted by not providing adequately for their needs or by subjecting them to heavy criticism. In verse 18, Paul refers to a passage from Deuteronomy 25:4 which says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Paul uses this same passage in I Corinthians 9:9, and in doing so he makes the point that just as the ox ought to be provided for while it is hard at work for its owner, so too should those who labor well in the service of the Lord be allowed to enjoy some reward for their good work. Paul also uses a statement from Jesus found in Luke 10:7 which concludes with Jesus saying, “for the laborer deserves his wages.” When taken together, Paul is not only saying that pastors should be provided for by those among whom they regularly labor, but those who serve especially well should receive “double honor.”

Faithful church leaders should be supported and appreciated. Too often they are targets for criticism because the congregation has unrealistic expectations. How do you treat your church leaders? Do you enjoy finding fault, or do you show your appreciation? Do they receive enough financial support to allow them to live without worry and to provide for the needs of their families? Our ministers deserve to know that we are giving to them cheerfully, gratefully, and generously.

Celebration In conclusion, Thank God for pastors who pour out their hearts, their energy, and their spiritual gifts in service to the Church. The work of pastors is among the most significant roles played by anyone in the community. It is often a relentless, lonely, and overwhelming job that is too often performed for moderate or low pay without a pension. I therefore, joyously honor all pastors for work well done and remind them as an old song says, “Serving the Lord, show will pay off.”

Benediction (2 Corinthians 5)

Life is a mystery. We walk by faith. God calls us when we least expect it, inviting us to be in Christ. Walk out into the world, knowing that you are part of God’s life-giving new creation. Life is a mystery. We walk by faith.Now may“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”—Numbers 6:24–26 Amen.