23rd Sunday after Pentecost – 12th November 2017

Two weeks ago in the Old Testament reading we stood with Moses at the border of the new land to which the people of Israel have been travelling since fleeing their enslaved lives in Egypt. The writers of Deuteronomy celebrate Moses for his 40 years of God-inspired leadership.

Moses made it to the border but could only look to the future of his people knowing that he would not be part of it. How must that have felt for Moses? Does Moses worry about passing over leadership? Is he reluctant to do so? Does he question the ability of others to take up leadership? Does he find it hard to realize that he will not be able to finish what he started?

These are questions in my own mind as I prepare to retire from full time ministry

But what is it like, as a follower (lay or ordained) of Christ, to take on a leadership role? How does it feel to stop being the leader and offer space for others to take on leadership? Think of times you have had a leadership role or think of leaders you  have known in your life. What made that leadership worthwhile? As each leadership  came to an end what were your feelings?

We remember that there are two great imperatives in the gospel – the first is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Christian leadership is, therefore, a leadership of love.

Pray that all members of our congregation will feel the movement of God’s unfolding story pulsing through hearts, souls, minds, and bodies; embodying their stories into Spirit-centred fulfilment… whatever their role within the community.