Leadership

Leadership is a blessing... I think.  Our leadership at New Covenant works tirelessly to make sure the congregation never goes without.  Phones are answered at all hours.  The sick and afflicted are visited.  Preparations for births and funerals are made at a moments notice. Prayer needs are met immediately.  From toilet scrubbing to pest control, New Covenant's leadership does it all for us.  As a congregation, we are so blessed by them. 

But I'm left to wonder... who is blessing the leadership?  For 7 years Pastor Ben Britt and his wife Alethea have met the needs of many, without complaint; and often go without the benefit of acknowledgement.  It is sometimes a thankless job, answering the calls, prayer needs, and meeting the Pastoral duties of a church.  The monetary reward is small.  The parsonage, no mansion.  Many people could say the satisfaction of doing the Lord's work is reward enough, but sometimes it doesn't mask the worry of putting food in the refrigerator, or diapers on the baby.  Why do they do it?

Here's our answer:

Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

This commitment was made by our Pastor to his congregation.  To oversee the flock, and feed the church of God.  That's it.  No guarantee of payment, no promise of blessing.  So why does he do it?  Because the Lord commanded him to.  It was not a suggestion, not a polite request.  He was commanded.

1 Peter 5:2   "Be shepherds of God's flock, the believers who are under your care. Serve as their leaders. Don't serve them because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That's what God wants you to do. Don't do it because you want to get more and more money. Do it because you really want to serve."

See?  Our leadership in the church has one purpose.  To SERVE.  There will be no guarantee of a giant house, or fancy car or even a salary each week.  How many of us would take a job with no guarantee of pay?  How many of us would ignore the Lord's commandment if there was no promise of reward?

Pastor Ben and Alethea, you are a blessing to us.  We pray that in your servitude you are in turn blessed with the knowledge that you are preparing hearts for a relationship with Jesus.  We pray that you know how much your acceptance of the Lord's commandment to serve has prepared the way for many of your flock to receive Jesus.  We pray that the blessings you have provided us will return to you many times over, and that you will continue to be encouraged and uplifted in the Lord's work.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will continue to do. 

We will be honoring Pastor Ben and Alethea in the coming weeks.  If you would like to send a thank you note, or an offering of love and gratitude directly to Ben and Alethea, you may drop it in the collection plate during service, or the lock-box in the vestibule or you may send directly to:

1212 Fulcher Lane, New Bern, NC 28562. 

Please visit us for worship! Sunday School, 9:45.  Praise & Worship 10:45.  Visit and friend us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/New-Covenant-Church-New-Bern/275225152968.

Thanks, and God bless!