Hey Gang,

We live in a world of comfort, insurance, and hopefully no pain or problems. In this culture of “take it easy,” moving into a position which promises pain is not popular. Some ignore the warning in the Word and are shocked when pain occurs. The Scripture is sure that pain is the constant companion of leaders in the Kingdom of God. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 and see some of the pain Paul felt in his leadership. In verse 28 he said: “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure (or burden) on me of concern for all the churches.”  If you read the whole passage, Paul paints the picture of pain that is external and pain internal. He lived with pain.

Lets look as some of the pain we each face:

1. Pain of making decisions.  As leaders the Lord gives us His vision for His Church.  We have the responsibility of leading the Church to follow and achieve this goal. Paul had started several churches and he cared for each one. You may lead only one church or small group or ministry, but you have a vision and you want to  see it happen.  It is a constant pain you live with.  We must do it with passion.  Remember the definition I gave last week: “Passion is what we are willing to endure to accomplish the goal.”  We must have great passion to see His will accomplished.

2. The pain of rejection and criticism. Every leader has felt this sting in his or her ministry. I can’t count the number of people that have walked out the door, never to return. It is a painful part of leadership. There is no way around this.  Remember we have the commission of leading to the vision that God has given; we have no choice but to please Him and not people.

3. The changes we have to make.  As we grow and are used as leaders, the Lord will prune us.  Jesus speaks of it in John chapter 15. Many times the pruning or changes the Lord makes in us is painful, but it is essential to achieving our potential.

Remember the Disciples after they had been beaten by the religious leaders: “They went away rejoicing because they were considered worthy to suffer for the Name of Jesus.” To become a leader you will experience pain - it will be your constant companion.

What do you think? Have you felt it?

Yours to count on,

Pastor