Where in the World is My Joy? #12

The Joy We Can Bring a Leader

In 1991 I drove from Borger, Texas to Lubbock, Texas to go hear John Maxwell teach about leading a church.  I did not realize on that three-hour drive that I would spend the next thirty years learning about leading not only a church, but just leading others.  I am not sure that I do everything just like he taught that day or since, but I do enjoy pasturing and leading the church in Leslie.

Many times, being a pastor is a hard job.  I read that each week hundreds of pastors leave their church or ministry.  I think maybe they forget how rewarding and good this calling can be for pastors.  I love that Paul talked about the joy he received from the people he led.  That is what I try to remember when the days get tough.  So how did the people of Philippi bring joy to Paul? Well let’s take a minute and look at it how not only Paul find joy, but I did as I lead our church.

Love that is heartfelt

My dear brothers and sisters, I love you and want to see you.                                                                                                     Philippians 4:1 (NCV)

Paul tells the people that he loves them and cannot wait to see them.  I often joke on Sundays that everyone loves to see you.  Some love to see you walk into a room and others love to see you walk out of a room.  We have to decide which one we want to be known for.  I worked for four pastors before we moved to Leslie.  I tried to be the one they could be happy to see.  I do not think I was successful.  After all, one of them fired me.  Many times, it is said you cannot let love lead you when it comes to people.  I think it would be bad to lead a group of people I did not love.  I wake up every day thanking God that I get to not only lead a church but be in a town with people I love. 

Joy and pride come from our journey together

You bring me joy and make me proud of you.

                                                                   Philippians 4:1 (NCV)

We have to realize that life is going to be a journey sometimes uphill and other times downhill.  After all we need to remember that it is not the destination but the journey that is really worth remembering.  When I think about a church of 25 or so people that took a risk on a kid from Texas my heart smiles.  We have seen so many great days and also some real throat punch days.  It is not that it has been 28 years together but about the things we have celebrated and endured that makes me have pride.  The days where we had to make tough choices and the other days when we baptized people and packed out the building have all added great joy and meaning to our journey.  I would not want to take such a meaningful journey with any other group of people.

Our dedication to God

…so stand strong in the Lord as I have told you.

                                                                             Philippians 4:1 (NCV)

The journey we are on will have bad days.  Days that make you think God is asleep at the wheel.  Those are the days that test our belief and faith in God.  Nothing can bring more joy to a leader than when we survive those days.  It is when we stay dedicated to God that joy can grow.  We do not always enjoy the rough days, but we can find joy in the day they are over.  So, Paul encourages us to stay strong in God.  He can say that because that is what he did.  He endured the bad days and celebrated each good day.  We need to realize that staying strong will lead to joy.

Our unity to make our town better

I ask Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. And I ask you, my faithful friend, to help these women. They served with me in telling the Good News, together with Clement and others who worked with me, whose names are written in the book of life.                                                                                  Philippians 4:2-3 (NCV)

There seems to be a problem between these two ladies.  Paul encourages them to find a reason to agree in what God wants to do in the church.  We have that same thought as believers today.  We need to find agreement that we are here to make our towns better for everyone.  We need to remember that we are called to share the Good News with our town.  It is when people live with the BIG goal in mind that joy comes pretty easy and often.  We have to let go of our little desires the good of all of us.  When we live together with the end in mind, the little things do not get us to stop.  That is why there is nothing better than leading a group of people who are willing to give up what is needed to change the world.

I know I am thankful and have a ton of joy because of the church and people in our town.  Thanks for being the ones that make being a pastor a good thing for my family and me.