Leadership
In case you’re not familiar with the custom of the Middle-Eastern marriage arrangement, let me acquaint you with it. First, it is the responsibility of the groom’s father to choose the bride. Second, the groom then goes to the bride’s father and pays a ransom for the bride. Once payment is made, the betrothal period begins and the marriage is binding. Third, during this time the bride remains under her father’s roof. The groom remains in his father’s house and prepares the bridal chamber. Forth, the groom comes unannounced, sometimes a year later, picks up his bride and they live in the bridal chamber. Lastly, the families and the community celebrate the marriage feast. This feast could easily last two or three months.
Let me give you the parallel. The Father has chosen us (Ephesians 1:3 – 5). Jesus paid the ransom (Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6) and is now preparing the bridal chamber (John 14:1 –3). He will return unannounced (1Thess. 4:13 – 18) and “pick us up ” to be with him. You know this better as the Rapture. The marriage supper will be celebrated in the millennial kingdom (Rev. 19:7; 20:4 – 6).
In case you’re wondering what this has to do with leadership, allow me to make the correlation. I mentioned earlier that after the ransom is paid, the marriage is legal but the bride stays with father. What I did not tell you is there are certain responsibilities that have been passed to the groom from the father. But if the groom is away taking care of the bridal chamber, and it’s not the father’s responsibility, then who is taking care of the bride? The groom turns to his most trusted male friend to take care of the bride until the groom returns to retrieve her. This man is called the bridegroom’s friend. If the bride needs food, clothing or other material needs, the bridegroom’s friend is to supply it. If she has spiritual needs, the bridegroom’s friend must fulfill them. He is to give even his life for her. Sad is the day when the bridegroom returns to find the bride has not been properly cared for.
Even today, there are many bridegroom’s friends. We call them pastors, overseers or elders. If you’re in this position, guess what, it’s your responsibility to care for the church (“bride”) until Jesus (‘bridegroom”) returns. Here’s a microcosm of your position and what you should be doing:
1. You were placed in your position by the Holy Spirit – Acts 20:28
2. You are responsible for the church’s nourishment through the teaching and the preaching – 1 Timothy 5:17
3. You preach and teach Scriptures correctly so that you aren’t found guilty of cheating the church out of its hope – Romans 15:4
4. You should have some training – 1 Timothy 1:5
5. You are to tend to the church with a mother’s care – 1 Thessalonians 2:7 – 8
6. You are to help the church reach spiritual maturity and teach the church to do ministry – Ephesians 4:11 – 16 (See my article, “What’s next?” June 16, 2006)
Folks ask why I take things so seriously and why am I so passionate, especially when I am not a senior pastor. I give them a simple answer. I am a bridegroom’s friend. He expects me to take care of his bride until he returns. That’s why I try to help those who think they are only called to preach. Preaching is just a small part of the picture. It’s like a cherry on sundae. If you’re a leader in your congregation or ministry, the bride’s well being heavily depends on you. Sad is the day when Jesus returns to find the church has not been properly care for.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1186 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Valentino Clemons or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1186 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.