October 26, 2011
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The Best Small Group/Ministry Team Leader
Over my years attending churches/fellowships/retreats I have had many different small group leaders and ministry team leaders over me. Some of them I felt helped me grow so much. Others I felt extra loved from. And others were simply frustrating, causing me to wish the leader would act like other leaders I had enjoyed, or even to wish I would be able to change leaders.
But in retrospect, I’ve realized that I grew a ton from each and every leader, ESPECIALLY the ones who frustrated me. It was through those leaders that I eventually learned humility, submission, and honor. And as God would get my heart and spirit right under them, I would come to appreciate those leaders so much more. And I would realize that more than having a leader who would make me feel comfortable or would teach me some cool thing about the Bible, what I really needed was having a leader who could reveal my heart issues and enable me to learn what true honor is… a truly honorable person is one who gives honor to others no matter how they treat them. To honor those we like but dishonor those we don’t does not make us an honorable person. Honor to all in the faith is what makes a truly honorable person.
And so now I am a pastor at my church and help oversee the small group ministry and ministry teams at my church. And I laugh at times when I see certain people who are assigned to certain leaders and experience friction. Nearly every time I can tell that the leader, no matter what their weaknesses or imperfections are, is just the right leader for them. In fact, usually the best leader a person could ask for is the leader who is currently over them. It often takes swallowing your pride and choosing to show honor before you can understand that truth.^^
God is good. Amen?
