Introduction
Today is a very special day in the life of our congregation as we prepare to commission a new Elder, a servant-leader who will join others in guiding, shepherding, and building up the body of Christ. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and recommitment to the beautiful and sometimes challenging work of leading and supporting the church.
Church leadership is not a task for the faint-hearted. It is a divine stewardship. It is also a partnership between leaders and the people they serve. Today’s sermon is not only for the one being commissioned but for all of us. It is about understanding the weight and wonder of leadership and how we, as a congregation, can actively and prayerfully support those who lead us.
The Divine Design of Church Leadership
Leadership in the church is not modelled after worldly systems of power or control. It is rooted in the servant-leadership of Jesus Himself. In Matthew 20:26-28, Jesus said: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus redefined leadership. He demonstrated that true leaders stoop low to lift others up. They wash feet. They weep with the hurting. They go ahead of the flock but never forget to care for the weakest sheep. Church leadership is a holy calling that reflects the heart of our Saviour. The Apostle Paul emphasized this divine structure when writing to the Christians in Ephesus.
Ephesians 4:11-13 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Leadership is a gift to the church – not an ornament, but a tool for growth. Leaders are not above the congregation; they are part of the body, given by Christ to help others become mature in their faith. The goal is the spiritual development of the whole church so we might all reflect the fullness of Christ.
Biblical Example: Moses
Consider Moses, a man called by God to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt and into the Promised Land. His leadership was marked by humility and dependence on God. In Numbers 12:3, we read, “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” Though often misunderstood, criticized, and burdened by the complaints of the people, Moses continually interceded on their behalf. He did not lead for personal glory but to fulfill God’s will. He sought God’s presence above all, once saying, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15). His example reminds us that godly leadership is not about charisma but about communion with God in our service of others.
The Seriousness of the Charge
Hebrews 13:17 “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
To be a leader in the church is to accept responsibility not only before people but before God. Leaders are shepherds who will answer to the Chief Shepherd for how they cared for His flock. In his first letter, the Apostle Peter said, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”(1 Peter 5:4 ) This is not about prestige – it’s about accountability. Leaders must make difficult decisions, navigate conflict with grace, and prioritize spiritual health over popularity. Their service is not fuelled by ambition – it is always fuelled by obedience. The Apostle Paul describes the seriousness of this stewardship when writing to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
The requirement is faithfulness. Not perfection. Not charisma. Not cleverness. It’s about faithfulness – day in and day out. Our leaders are called to walk with God, listen for His voice, and serve His people with integrity. The leader’s role is not glamorous. It can be lonely, demanding, and spiritually taxing. But it is deeply rewarding when done in the strength that God provides.
Biblical Example: Paul
Paul exemplifies this kind of faithfulness. In 2 Corinthians 11, he details the trials he faced: beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, and constant danger. Yet he never gave up. In Acts 20:24, he says, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Paul’s endurance was not fuelled by ego but by calling. His life was poured out in service to Christ and His church. This is the kind of leadership we honour and pray for in the church today.
The Privilege of Following with Joy
Just as leadership is a holy calling, so is the call to follow and support our leaders. Church health depends on this sacred partnership. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us again, “Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Our attitude toward our leaders can either lighten their load or weigh them down. A joyful, supportive church makes leadership a joy. A critical, divided church makes it a burden. Let us ask ourselves: Do we pray for our leaders regularly? Do we assume the best in them, or do we jump to conclusions? Do we encourage them, thank them, and bless them with our words? Let’s hear Paul’s charge again:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”
This is the biblical vision of a healthy church: one where leaders love sacrificially and members follow joyfully, all united in Christ. The partnership between leader and congregation is one of mutual care, trust, and love.
How We Can Support Our Leaders
Supporting leadership is more than showing appreciation now and then. It is rather a whole lifestyle of encouragement, accountability, and prayer. Let me highlight four things we can do to support our leaders every day.
Pray Consistently: Paul often asked churches to pray for him. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1, he wrote: “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you.” Pray for your Elder, Pastor, Deacons and ministry leaders. Pray for wisdom, purity, courage, and protection. Pray that they would not grow weary in doing good. Pray that they would lead from a place of overflow, not exhaustion.
Encourage Generously: Leaders face discouragement more often than we realise. A handwritten note, a thoughtful text, or a kind word after a service can have a profound impact. Proverbs 16:24 says: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Don’t assume your leaders know they are appreciated. Tell them. Show them. Encourage them in public and in private.
Serve Willingly: Church leadership is not meant to carry all the weight. Ephesians 4 tells us that leaders equip others for ministry. When we serve, we lighten their load. When we are participators instead of spectators, we strengthen the whole body. Romans 12:4-5 reminds us: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Be Patient and Trusting: Leadership often requires long-term vision. Decisions may not always make immediate sense to everyone. Trust your leaders. Give them space to seek God and lead with discernment. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, we are reminded: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Allow your leaders to move according to God’s timing, not just human urgency.
A Charge to the Leader and the Church
To the new Elder being commissioned today: you are stepping into a sacred trust. Shepherd the flock with compassion, humility, and truth. Lead as Jesus led – washing feet, lifting burdens, and pointing always to the cross.
1 Peter 5:2-3 “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
To the church: you need to receive this leader with joy. Pray for him, walk with him, encourage him. This is your spiritual family, and when the leaders flourish, all the people flourish. Let us remember that we are all ministers in our own way. Some are called to lead from the front; others lead through serving, praying, giving, and caring. All are vital.
Conclusion: Following Christ Together
In the end, both leaders and followers look to the same One – Jesus Christ, Who is the Head of the Church. Hebrews 12:2 calls us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” He is our ultimate Shepherd, our perfect example, and our eternal hope. We do not lead or follow in our own strength but in His. And one day, when we stand before Him, may we all hear the words we long for: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
May our church be a place where leadership is taken seriously, where love flows freely, and where Christ is honoured in all things. May our leaders lead with purpose, and may we follow with joy – until the whole body grows up into Him Who is the Head, that is, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15).