And, You're Out

As I left church yesterday after service, my mind was transitioning between reflecting on the sermon and figuring out the final preps for the birthday party in our family. There have been many variations on the statement "as goes ____; so goes the ____". Family, nation, etc. So, here's what I felt the Spirit drop in...

"As goes the Shepard, so goes the flock"

There's any number of reason, theologically that one of Christ's titles is the Good Shepard, but as I thought about this yesterday, I realized that humanity for all its faults and failures and evil tendencies would recognize no other way, then unless God came down in human form and set the example for how we should live in a way that brings glory to God. Furthermore, Christ set the example for what a healthy relationship with our Heavenly Father looks like. No other person would accomplish what Christ accomplished, unless God Himself set out to do so. Which is exactly what happened.

Fast forward through the day. The birthday party was great. Everyone had a great time. And by nights end, I was exhausted falling asleep during an episode that my wife and I were watching on Netflix. Clearly, it was time to crash. Of course, upon crawling into bed, I was partially awake again. One last scroll through Facebook, and a friend comments on praying for Perry Noble and his family. Recognizing the name, I thought "hmm, wonder what that's about." Sure enough, seconds later, there was the article. Alcohol abuse and a strained marriage, and he has been relieved of his pastorate in the megachurch that he started. The church had made a statement announcing the decision; which in and of itself, has caused some controversy as to how it's been handled and communicated.

My heart sank. At a time in our society when we need healthy churches, healthy congregations and healthy pastors to make the most of their impact in the communities and the impact of a church such as this, now has this challenge on the forefront of their minds and at the top of their list, of having to navigate. What a difficult and challenging place to be; not only in dealing with Noble and his family, but now the aftermath and the effect this will have on the congregation and the community as to keeping proper perspective and keeping the faith to continue in ministry.

To all this, all I can say is, this is why, God kept prompting me to get serious about this website. We don't know what our church leaders are going through, often until it's too late. Or it's late enough that the only way to deal with it is for something to transpire as what this megachurch is going through; as well as churches of all sizes and denominations have experienced in the past. Lord, we need your help. Today!

Pray, this #seniorPastorMonday, for Pastors, and for this leader and his family. Pray for the long road to recovery they face as a family and that he faces as a man of God. Pray for grace and forgiveness to permeate their home, as well as the church and that they would experience new found freedom in Christ through His love and the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray over the process of healing and restoration; that God would guide their steps for whatever He has planned for them next, as they overcome this battle in their lives. Pray for the congregation and community, as the commentary has already begun about whether the church leadership and media has done right in handling and even reporting on this matter (as we prayed yesterday on the element of criticism, timely as it was). May God guard the hearts of the pastors of this church, who now are moving forward in this ministry; may He grant to them wisdom, understanding and compassion as they lead this church closer to the presence of God. Pray the enemy would be unsuccessful in his attempts to use this as a means to gain ANY ground, whereby he might get a foothold on this church, to cause disruption and discord.

May the church bind together
As we #pray4pastors
In the name of Jesus Christ
For the glory of God, in ALL things.

- PNC