A comment in response to the Russia Mission

Question: "What is Christian leadership?"

Answer: What is Christian leadership? What should a Christian leader be like? There is no finer example for Christian leadership than our Lord Jesus Christ. He declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). It is within this verse that we see the perfect description of a Christian leader. He is one who acts as a shepherd to those “sheep” in his care.

The Christian leader is a feeder and a nourisher of the sheep, and the ultimate “sheep food” is the Word of God. Just as the shepherd leads his flock to the most lush pasture so they will grow and flourish, so the Christian leader nourishes his flock with the only food which will produce strong, vibrant Christians. The Bible—not psychology or the world’s wisdom—is the only diet that can produce healthy Christians. “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

The Christian leader comforts the sheep, binding up their wounds and applying the balm of compassion and love. As the great Shepherd of Israel, the Lord Himself promised to “bind up the injured and strengthen the weak” (Ezekiel 34:16). As Christians in the world today, we suffer many injuries to our spirits, and we need compassionate leaders who will bear our burdens with us, sympathize with our circumstances, exhibit patience toward us, encourage us in the Word, and bring our concerns before the Father’s throne.

A final word on Christian leaders comes from the article “Wanted: A Few Good Shepherds (Must Know How to Wash Feet)” by John MacArthur:

“Under the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Church leadership is ministry, not management. Those whom God designates as leaders are called not to be governing monarchs, but humble slaves; not slick celebrities, but laboring servants. Those who would lead God's people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness. Jesus Himself gave us the pattern when He stooped to wash His disciples' feet, a task that was customarily done by the lowest of slaves (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has a right to think of himself as a bigwig.”

God seems to be headed in wonderous ways through us

God seems to be headed in wonderous ways through us. Since moving to Montana and becoming involved in a new church home, we have already had a youth meeting/bonfire here and we went with the youth on a mission trip to the Whitefish area for a week.

We are working on getting permits to extend our garage, in our home. It will be half for my car and storage and the other half will have two sleeping rooms, two shower rooms, and a good size gathering room overlooking the river.

We also will be getting an old mobile home from the church property (next to free) which we will fix up. We have purchased an outhouse (I can't believe that one!) and are putting together an outdoor solar shower with propane backup.

All of this is in preperation for youth camps - first one should be this winter.

Also our pastor has a heart for ministering to other pastors and their families when they are hurting, burned out, tired, etc. We will have the capability of housing pastors and their families or we will care for children while they are working on their marriages, etc.

Not to mention our place will also be one to teach kids river safety, etc.

The list just goes on. We could never have imagined, although we did have some ideas of what it might be.

WOW! God is so so good.

With much love,

Judy and Wayne Leach