Embracing Community: Supporting Leadership and Living Faith
Summary
In a recent message delivered at the Quitman First United Methodist Church, Reverend Thomas Harper emphasized the collective responsibility of the congregation in the life of the church. He outlined three primary roles for the congregation: supporting the leadership, nurturing relationships within the church community, and embodying the church both within and beyond the walls of the building.
The first role highlighted is the support of the church leader. Reverend Harper candidly addressed the humanity of leaders, acknowledging that they, too, are prone to mistakes. He encouraged the congregation to hold him accountable in a constructive manner, fostering an environment of encouragement rather than criticism. He shared personal experiences from his ministry, illustrating how criticism can sometimes be more reflective of the critic's personal struggles than the actions of the one being criticized. Reverend Harper also differentiated between guilt and shame, explaining that while guilt can lead to growth and a deeper understanding of one's need for grace, shame is paralyzing and not of God. He reminded the congregation of their identity in Christ, free from shame.
The second role involves the congregation loving and supporting one another. Reverend Harper urged the members to get to know the people they worship with, serve with, and live beside. He stressed that the church is not a place one simply attends but a community one actively participates in. This includes being present for each other during both triumphs and trials, holding each other accountable, and growing together in faith.
The third role is to be the church, both inside and outside the church building. Reverend Harper shared an anecdote from a mission trip to Costa Rica, where a church sign read "now entering the mission field" at the exit, reminding the congregation that their mission begins as soon as they step outside the church. He emphasized that the church's mission is to love God, love one another, and love the community they are a part of. This mission is fulfilled through the diverse gifts and passions of its members, who are encouraged to use their unique talents for the betterment of the church and its outreach.
Reverend Harper concluded by inviting those who are new or seeking to deepen their faith to engage in conversation with him, signaling his openness to guide and support individuals in their spiritual journey. The message was wrapped up with a call to worship, scripture reading, and a reminder that the congregation's love for one another is a testament to their Christian faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The support of church leadership is crucial, but it must be done with grace and encouragement. Constructive feedback can be beneficial, but it should always be delivered with the intent to uplift rather than tear down. This approach not only strengthens the leader but also fosters a positive and nurturing church environment. [34:25]
- The church is not merely a location for weekly gatherings but a living community where members are called to actively support and care for one another. This means being present in each other's lives, sharing in joys and sorrows, and helping each other grow in faith. The strength of the church is found in the quality of these relationships. [46:27]
- Each member of the congregation has unique gifts and talents that are meant to be used in service to the church and its mission. It is through the diverse contributions of its members that the church can effectively minister to the needs within and reach out to the community at large. [44:26]
- Being the church extends beyond the physical walls of the building; it involves living out the principles of the faith in everyday life. The true mission field begins the moment one leaves the church, and every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate the love and teachings of Christ. [45:46]
- The concept of shame has no place in the life of a believer. Understanding the difference between guilt, which can lead to repentance and growth, and shame, which seeks to paralyze and condemn, is vital. Believers are encouraged to live in the freedom of their identity in Christ, free from the burden of shame. [42:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Peter 4:8-11 (ESV)
> "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 4:8-11, what are the specific ways we are instructed to love and serve one another?
2. How did Reverend Harper describe the role of the congregation in supporting church leadership? ([33:40])
3. What distinction did Reverend Harper make between guilt and shame, and why is it important for believers? ([40:39])
4. What was the significance of the church sign in Costa Rica that Reverend Harper mentioned, and how does it relate to the congregation's mission? ([45:46])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize the importance of loving one another earnestly and showing hospitality without grumbling? How does this align with Reverend Harper's message about nurturing relationships within the church community? ([46:27])
2. How can the congregation's support and encouragement of their pastor impact the overall health and mission of the church? ([38:14])
3. In what ways can understanding the difference between guilt and shame help believers live more freely in their identity in Christ? ([42:11])
4. How does the concept of "now entering the mission field" challenge the traditional view of church as merely a place of worship? ([45:46])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you received criticism. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Reverend Harper's approach to constructive feedback? ([35:19])
2. How can you actively support and encourage your church leaders in a way that fosters a positive and nurturing environment? ([38:14])
3. Think about your relationships within the church. What steps can you take to deepen these connections and be more present in each other's lives? ([46:27])
4. Identify a unique gift or talent you have. How can you use this gift to serve the church and its mission both inside and outside the church walls? ([44:26])
5. Reverend Harper mentioned the importance of being the church in the community. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate the love and teachings of Christ in your daily interactions? ([45:46])
6. Have you ever struggled with feelings of shame? How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ and live free from the burden of shame? ([42:11])
7. Reverend Harper invited those seeking to deepen their faith to engage in conversation. Is there someone in your life you can reach out to for spiritual guidance or support? ([53:52])
Devotional
Day 1: Graceful Support for Church Leaders
Leaders in the church are human and can make mistakes. It is the responsibility of the congregation to offer support that is rooted in grace and encouragement. Constructive feedback should be given with love, aiming to uplift and strengthen the community. This approach reflects the love of Christ and builds a nurturing environment for all. [34:25]
Hebrews 13:17 - "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you."
Reflection: How can you offer support to your church leaders this week in a way that is encouraging and grace-filled?
Day 2: The Church as a Living Community
The church is more than a building; it is a living community where members are called to actively engage with one another. This means being present in each other's lives, sharing in both joys and sorrows, and fostering growth in faith together. The strength of the church is in these relationships, which reflect the interconnectedness of the body of Christ. [46:27]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement?
Day 3: Utilizing Unique Gifts in Service
Every member of the congregation has been blessed with unique gifts and talents. These are to be used in service to the church and its mission, allowing the church to minister effectively to those within and to reach out to the broader community. When each person contributes their gifts, the church thrives and reflects the diverse beauty of God's creation. [44:26]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What are your unique gifts and how can you use them to serve your church and community this week?
Day 4: Living the Mission Beyond the Church Walls
Being the church does not end at the church building's exit; it is a continuous mission that extends into every aspect of life. Every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate the love and teachings of Christ. The true mission field begins the moment one steps outside, ready to embody the principles of faith in everyday life. [45:46]
James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Reflection: What is one way you can live out your faith in your daily interactions outside the church?
Day 5: Freedom from Shame in Christ
Understanding the difference between guilt and shame is vital for believers. Guilt can lead to repentance and growth, while shame seeks to paralyze and condemn. In Christ, believers are free from the burden of shame and can live in the freedom of their identity as children of God. [42:11]
Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you embrace your identity in Christ this week and let go of any feelings of shame that may be holding you back?
Quotes
1) "Your pastor just so happens to also be a human being which means human beings will make mistakes from time to time...when I make a mistake you can and should hold me accountable for that but I would ask that you do so in a way that is encouraging and uplifting rather than a way that's mean and nasty." [34:25] (Download)
2) "It's your job to be with each other in the good and the bad times...to hold people accountable as you grow deeper in your understanding of the scriptures together...to sharpen one another as a church in the ministry of all believers that we are all in this together doing church." [46:27] (Download)
3) "Shame wants to keep us there paralyzed in our guilt; shame is not from the father...remind yourself to whom you belong, you are a child of God redeemed and Sanctified and it is in Christ's righteousness not your own that you stand today." [42:11] (Download)
4) "Your job is to use the god-given talents that you have to support this church...every place that I go I pray for God to place people in Ministry alongside of me that can do the things that I just can't do." [43:42] (Download)
5) "Your job is to be the church both inside here and outside of the walls in the community...what we do in here is the ministry what we do out there is the mission and how will we accomplish the mission and the ministry of this church by keeping the main thing the main thing." [47:07] (Download)
6) "A strong lay-led Church will have a far greater impact in the community than a strong Pastor Ever Could...you are called not to come to church but to be the church." [47:49] (Download)
7) "God has placed passions within you things that light you up things that you get excited about that he is urging you towards Kingdom work with...the body is so diverse and so unique that God has brought us together for such a time as this." [49:21] (Download)
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