Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

I have long been impressed by the organization, or you might say, lack of organization, of the New Testament Church. Later Paul writes to Timothy that an elder “must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6) He may have written that from painful experience, because all of the “elders” chosen at this point were new believers! However, Paul and Barnabas didn’t have any other options, so they moved forward and trusted God. We tend to put in all sorts of humanistic requirements and “qualifications” for church leadership, seemingly forgetting that the Church, and each local church, belongs to Christ and not to us. Today there are many churches that have lost connection to Christ, even though they are still in good standing with their denominations, because the leadership has stopped trusting in the Lord they say they serve. Recently Tucker Carlson, hardly considered a “religious leader,” has given some speeches that were far better sermons than some that are proclaimed in pulpits! We look for academic credentials and the like, instead of looking at fruit the way Jesus told us to do. (Matthew 7:15-20) The Church needs to follow people who are genuinely following Christ, just as Paul did, (1 Corinthians 11:1) instead of people who are following their own ambitions or prideful thinking.

It has always bothered me that some denominations require academic examinations be passed before someone is given the title of Pastor. Japan is very academically minded and tends to relegate things to “experts,” so I can see how it happened, but I can’t see that it’s a good thing. After all, someone becomes a shepherd by taking care of sheep, and that’s precisely what “pastor” means. Lots of things about being a shepherd you can’t learn until you start doing them! I feel it’s a lot like marriage. No one has the maturity for it until they get married! Right now many people, myself included, are wondering who my successor will be in this church. What gives me peace is that there already believers in this church who have produced solid fruit, and there are others associated with us who are likewise fruitful. God already has several “candidates” lined up! I need to trust God myself and keep my eyes open for others who likewise trust Him, knowing that the church belongs to Him and He will provide everything necessary.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that I’ll be out of town this weekend, giving the believers a chance to taste the reality that the church belongs to You and not to me. May we continue to grow and move as You desire and intend, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!