Have you ever thought about how lonely it is to be a superhero? Ducking into the closest telephone booth to change into your elaborate costume, making sure no one witnessed your transformation? Hiding out in a bat cave with maybe a single sidekick there to admire your extravagant getaway car? Weaving webs in and out of people’s lives feeling there is not time to stop and chat? Usually, we envy the strengths, passion, and power of such characters without thinking about the sacrifices they make separating themselves from the “normal” world. However, their willingness to “save the day” does require them to stand apart. So it often is with our Church leaders, leaders who stand boldly preaching to thousands crowding a football stadium, or who pray humbly as they hold the hand of an ill neighbor, or whose dramatic movements lead choirs in worship, or who weekly greets strangers with a handshake and a promise to remember their names.
It’s often easy to look to our great teachers, preachers, and worship leaders as superheroes. Most of us will never be great orators like Billy Graham or Charles Stanley, and aren’t gifted musically like the Gaithers or Chris Tomlin. Our books of ideas will most likely never hit a bestsellers list like the works of Oswald Chambers or Rick Warren. These are common thoughts among those of us who admire great Christian men and women serving God in very obvious ministry positions. But we as a congregation (to our local church bodies and to the Church as a whole) must remember that, like those superheroes stripped of their fancy outfits, these remarkable leaders are human, too.
These ministers we admire get weary, and confused, and frustrated, and, more often than we probably realize, lonely. Sure they look confident on that podium or in front of that praise band or teaching that lesson, but, just like the rest of us, there are times, ordained by God or not, they simply come to God with burdens they can’t find the words or thoughts to pray about, hardships so overwhelming that peace is not easily found in their scriptural studies. Who would we go to with such problems? Our church leaders, right? But we don’t often consider whose counsel they seek.
The Old Testament book of Exodus offers us a perfect picture of our roles as a congregation of supporters for our church staff. Moses is one of the greatest leaders of all time, guiding the Israelites diligently for many years. Though his faith in God was tremendous, there were still times during his ministry where he needed assistance from his followers:
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT)
When Moses was no longer strong enough to stand before God on his own, Aaron and Hur were there supporting him physically and emotionally. Though he was a righteous and wise man, he was not able to complete this challenge without the aid of these other men.
When we understand God’s intention for fellow believers to support one another, then maybe we’ll be more aware that our spiritual leaders aren’t really superheroes, but men and women effectively serving God with the assistance of the entire church body. And once we start standing on the hill alongside our pastors and leaders holding their hands high, we too will see overwhelming victory in Christ’s name.
Of course, physically holding up our pastors is a bit impractical; however, God has given us a tool much more powerful than any other thing we can use for our church leadership: prayer. We often make the mistake of claiming. “well, if nothing else, at least I can pray for them” when we should realize that above all else, we should be praying for them. It’s the most important and effective way to assist anyone, including our spiritual leaders. Paul, a missionary and preacher of immense influence for Christ, reminds us in the New Testament that he, like all our leaders, continually needs the encouragement and strength found in the prayers of the church body:
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NLT)
prayer
Father God, I thank you for talented, knowledgeable, and hardworking leaders who love you. Your Word claims that without a vision, the people perish, and those you have placed to minister in our churches play a vital role in determining and praying for the church’s vision. I pray that you continue to humble our leaders, teaching them to rely on you solely and to strip them of prideful thoughts which may hinder their message. Help them to find comfort in the prayers of their congregations, and help us be faithful support. Amen.