Embracing Godly Leadership for Church Unity and Peace

Summary

Today, we gathered as a family of faith, reminded that God is always on the move among us. We began by celebrating the unseen and often underappreciated work of those who serve behind the scenes, and we lifted up in prayer those who are weary, asking God to grant them rest and renewal. The heart of our time together centered on the call to recognize, honor, and respond to the leadership God has established within His church, particularly the role of the pastor as shepherd.

Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, we explored the biblical pattern for church leadership. God, in His wisdom, has designed the church as a body—diverse in gifts, backgrounds, and experiences, yet united in Christ. Each member brings a unique “shape” to the body, and when we function together in our God-given roles, the church thrives as a living organism, not just an organization. Leadership, especially pastoral leadership, is not about status or privilege, but about sacrificial service, spiritual oversight, and loving guidance. The pastor is called to shepherd the flock willingly, not for personal gain, but as an example, always mindful that Christ is the Chief Shepherd.

We reflected on the importance of recognizing and appreciating the labor of those who lead, understanding that their calling is both a privilege and a burden. The pastor is among the people as a brother and friend, but also over the flock as a spiritual father, appointed and anointed by God. This dual role requires the congregation to discern when to relate as friends and when to submit to spiritual authority. We are called to hold our leaders in high regard, to love them deeply, to pray for them, and to support them, not just in word but in action.

Admonishment and correction are difficult but necessary aspects of pastoral ministry. When given in love and received with humility, they protect the unity and health of the church. The result of honoring God’s design for leadership is peace—true, spiritual peace that brings harmony and unity to the body. We are challenged to reject the spirit of rebellion and division that so often marks the world, and instead, to embrace the way of Christ: mutual respect, loving regard, and joyful cooperation. In doing so, we become a church where God’s presence is known, His people are cared for, and His peace reigns.

Key Takeaways

- The Church as a Living Body
God’s design for the church is that of a living, interconnected body, where every member brings unique gifts, experiences, and personalities. When each part functions in its God-given role, the church becomes healthy and effective, reflecting the unity and diversity found in Christ. This understanding calls us to value not only our own contributions but also those of others, recognizing that we are truly one in Christ. [55:25]

- Pastoral Leadership: Among and Over
The pastor is called to be both among the people as a fellow believer and over the flock as a spiritual shepherd. This dual role requires humility from the leader and discernment from the congregation, who must know when to relate as friends and when to submit to spiritual authority. Recognizing this balance is essential for a healthy church, as it fosters both closeness and respect. [01:08:30]

- Honoring and Supporting Spiritual Leaders
Scripture calls us to recognize, appreciate, and hold in high regard those who labor in spiritual leadership. This means more than polite words; it involves active support, prayer, and a willingness to stand with our leaders, especially in times of difficulty. When we honor those God has appointed, we participate in the blessing and peace that God intends for His people. [01:13:59]

- The Necessity and Challenge of Admonishment
Correction and admonishment are difficult but vital aspects of spiritual leadership. A faithful pastor must sometimes rebuke or correct, not out of a desire for control, but out of love for the flock and obedience to God. Receiving correction with humility is a mark of spiritual maturity and a safeguard against division and discord within the church. [01:18:10]

- Peace as the Fruit of Godly Order
When the church embraces God’s pattern for leadership—recognizing, loving, and cooperating with those He has placed over us—the result is peace, unity, and harmony. This peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of Christ’s order and blessing. It is a testimony to the world that we are truly His disciples, living differently from the culture around us. [01:25:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:21] - Staff Appreciation and Announcements
[18:20] - The Birth of 9 to 9: A Day of Prayer
[19:29] - Prayer Cards and Open Worship
[20:56] - Letting God Disrupt Our Day
[22:51] - Scripture Reading and Offertory
[45:57] - Introduction to Church Leadership
[48:04] - The Pain of Division and the Call to Family
[51:15] - Unity in Christ: One Body, Many Parts
[53:09] - Spiritual Gifts and the SHAPE of the Church
[56:22] - The Shepherd’s Calling and Example
[58:54] - The Challenge of Submitting to Leadership
[59:40] - Personal Testimony: Pastors Who Shaped My Life
[01:05:32] - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: Recognizing Leaders
[01:09:52] - Appreciating Labor and God’s Appointment
[01:13:59] - The Church’s Covenant with Its Pastor
[01:18:10] - The Role and Difficulty of Admonishment
[01:22:20] - Holding Leaders in High Regard and Love
[01:25:14] - Peace as the Fruit of Godly Leadership
[01:30:28] - Supporting Your Pastor: Holding Up Their Arms
[01:31:07] - Prayer and Blessing for the Church
[01:38:30] - Testimonies, Offerings, and Closing Blessing
[01:38:57] - The Aaronic Blessing and Dismissal

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Honoring God’s Design for Church Leadership

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### Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV)
> We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, what are the three main responsibilities of church leaders mentioned by Paul?
2. In the sermon, what analogy did the pastor use to describe the church and its members? [[52:02]]
3. What does the pastor say is the result when the church follows God’s pattern for leadership? [[01:25:14]]
4. How does the sermon describe the dual role of the pastor as both “among” and “over” the congregation? [[01:08:30]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul instruct the church to “esteem [leaders] very highly in love because of their work”? What does this reveal about the nature of spiritual leadership? [[01:22:48]]
2. The pastor shared that admonishment and correction are difficult but necessary parts of leadership. Why might receiving correction with humility be important for the health of the church? [[01:18:10]]
3. The sermon emphasized that the church is a living body, not just an organization. How does this understanding affect the way members should view their own roles and the roles of others? [[55:25]]
4. What does it look like, practically, for a congregation to “be at peace among yourselves” as a result of honoring leadership? [[01:25:14]]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor mentioned that leadership in the church is about sacrificial service, not status. In what ways can you show appreciation for those who serve behind the scenes in your church this week? [[13:21]]
2. Think about your own “shape”—your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences. How are you currently using these in the church? Is there a new way you could serve or encourage someone else’s gifts? [[53:09]]
3. The sermon challenged us to hold our leaders in high regard and to support them in action, not just words. What is one specific thing you can do this month to support your pastor or another church leader? [[01:13:59]]
4. When was the last time you received correction or admonishment from a spiritual leader? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[01:18:10]]
5. The pastor shared that peace is the fruit of godly order in the church. Are there any attitudes or actions in your life that might be contributing to division or unrest? What step can you take to pursue peace and unity? [[01:27:18]]
6. The sermon encouraged us to pray for our leaders, especially when they are weary. Who is one leader you can commit to pray for this week, and how will you let them know you are supporting them? [[01:31:07]]
7. The pastor described the pain of people leaving the church as similar to a family experiencing divorce. If you have unresolved issues with a church leader or member, what would it look like to seek reconciliation this week? [[48:04]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for the pastors, leaders, and volunteers in your church, asking God to give them wisdom, strength, and encouragement. Pray also for unity and peace in your church family.

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing and Honoring Spiritual Leadership
God calls us to recognize and honor those who labor among us and lead us in the Lord. Pastors are both among the congregation as fellow believers and over the congregation as spiritual leaders, appointed by God to shepherd His flock. This recognition is not about elevating a person above others, but about appreciating the hard work, spiritual oversight, and sometimes difficult admonishments that come with the pastoral calling. When we appreciate their labor, respect their God-given appointment, and accept their guidance—even when it is corrective—we help create a healthy, vibrant church body. Consider how you can show appreciation and support for your spiritual leaders, knowing that their role is for your good and the good of the whole church. [01:09:52]

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV)
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can show appreciation or encouragement to a spiritual leader in your life this week?

Day 2: The Church as One Body with Many Parts
In Christ, we are all one—regardless of background, status, or ability—but God has also made us diverse, each with unique gifts, personalities, and experiences. The church is described as the body of Christ, where every member is essential and has a role to play. Just as the human body needs every system to function well, the church thrives when each person uses their God-given gifts for the benefit of all. When we understand our place in the body and work together, the church becomes a living, healthy organism, not just an organization. Embrace your unique shape and seek ways to serve, knowing that your contribution is vital to the health and mission of the church. [55:25]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one gift, ability, or experience God has given you that you can use to serve and build up the body of Christ this week?

Day 3: The Shepherd’s Heart and the Call to Follow
Pastors are called to shepherd God’s flock willingly, not for personal gain, but out of love for the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Their leadership is meant to be an example, not domineering, and their service is to be marked by eagerness and humility. As sheep, we are called to follow the shepherd’s lead, trusting that God has placed them for our good. When the church resists or rebels against godly leadership, it leads to discord and dysfunction, but when we follow with trust and support, we experience God’s intended blessing. Reflect on your attitude toward spiritual authority and consider how you can better support and follow those God has placed over you. [57:21]

1 Peter 5:2-4 (ESV)
"Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."

Reflection: Is there an area where you have resisted spiritual leadership? How can you take a step toward trust and support today?

Day 4: The Fruit of Godly Leadership—Peace and Unity
When the church recognizes, loves, and supports its leaders, the result is peace, harmony, and unity among God’s people. This peace does not mean the absence of challenges or disagreements, but it does mean that the church can weather storms together, remain aligned, and function as one. Discord, division, and disgruntlement arise when we fail to follow God’s design for leadership and relationships in the church. But when we align ourselves with God’s order, we experience the blessing of being one in Christ, serving together, and living in unity. Seek to be a peacemaker and a unifier in your church, helping to foster the harmony that God desires for His people. [01:25:56]

Ephesians 4:3 (ESV)
"…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: Who is one person in your church family you can reach out to this week to encourage unity and peace, especially if there has been past disagreement or distance?

Day 5: Supporting and Praying for Your Pastor
Just as Moses needed others to hold up his arms in battle, pastors need the support, love, and prayers of their congregation to fulfill their calling. Your role is not only to recognize and respect your pastor, but also to actively help, encourage, and pray for them and their family. When you do this, you help your church become victorious and experience the fullness of God’s blessing. Consider how you can come alongside your pastor—not just in words, but in tangible actions—to help them lead with joy and endurance. [01:30:28]

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: Take a moment to pray specifically for your pastor and their family today. What is one way you can “hold up their arms” in the coming week?

Quotes

When people really get that and it clicks, I think it will change your mentality of church. When you understand I'm one part of this full body, and I'm in the systems and structures, and it's got hierarchy, and it's supposed to work this way, and I need to help it work this way, a church becomes functional and healthy just like your body does. [00:55:25]

A shepherd shepherds because he loves the sheep, because he loves the chief shepherd. And the chief shepherd has given him dominion to lead in a good way for the good of the flock that's been entrusted. Whatever pastor you've ever had, wherever you may be, that should be true of your pastor. [00:57:21]

Sheep don't lead the shepherd. The shepherd leads the sheep. When the sheep try to lead the shepherd, we have problems. But when the shepherd leads the sheep, it's what God has called it to be. [00:58:46]

When we submit to them, we respect them, and we follow them, and therefore our good, which we must believe God has done, good things happen. Amen. [01:04:01]

If you have not done the things that I'm going to speak of today, even if your pastor was wrong, that sometime between now and before you forget this sermon, you make sure you forgive them and you tell them you love them. Do you hear me? [01:04:30]

As the pastor, I am both. So this is a fine line. Some of those pastors I listed, I knew better than others. Some of them were more like friends. Like Jay was more like a friend, but he was still my pastor. I knew at some point my buddy became my leader. [01:08:02]

I am your friend and your brother, but I'm also your pastor. So at some point, I may not have to be your buddy. I may have to be your leader. And there's a fine line that has to be done. And really, it's not my responsibility. It's your responsibility to make sure you know where that line is. [01:08:33]

It's a good work, but it's a hard work. Now I know the going joke. I don't see Randy in here. He's in the back. You're pointing. You're throwing your dad under the bus, Patrick. You're right. I do work more than one day a week. Despite the thoughts of pastors, right? And it's more than a half a day one day a week, too. [01:10:01]

There's an anointed that comes with the position. It plays out differently. I'm not saying we're charismatic. I'm not trying to get to that. But there's an anointing and there's an appointment that comes from God and God alone. All right, we need to respect that and understand that and try to embrace that. [01:12:19]

God chose pastors. God chose shepherds because I think he's a shepherd. Amen? So he chose the church to be modeled after his own heart. I want to shepherd my sheep. I'm the chief shepherd. I'm gonna give you little shepherds that are gonna shepherd you for me. [01:12:48]

Be loving and gracious to the pastor and his family. Pray for the spiritual power of his life and his work. Relate to him respectfully as God's anointed leader for this task. Support his leadership with active participation in the ministries of the church. Faithful attendance in worship. Let's just stop right there. You do all that thing, we're on pretty good ground. [01:14:05]

Talk with the pastor about personal concerns instead of talking about him to others. Say we've never seen that. You're quiet. By the way, I would add something to that. If you hear it, you shut it down. If we would do that, it would be a lot better. [01:15:06]

Admonishment is a thankless and difficult duty of the pastorate. Because usually if you're at Monash, you're not thankful. It's thankless and difficult to rebuke the behaviors of others. [01:19:08]

They're called by God, and this is a word we don't like to say, but if you go read Hebrews 13, 7, and 17, it's pretty clear that God says that you obey your pastor. Unless you're a pastor, your pastor's totally out of line. Unless it's totally whacked out of God's will, out of God's word. But if it's within the word of God and within his preview and his responsibilities, support your pastor. Amen. [01:21:52]

You have to love me. You don't have to like me. But you have to love me. Thank you. I got one person that loves me in this room. My wife wasn't the one that said that. Thank you, I love you too. [01:22:31]

Expressing that love to him. Showing that love for him. Showing that support for him. Making sure he knows this, and this is a military term, you've got my six. Come on, you Marines. Come on. You got my back. And that I know that you're there. Show me that you love me. Tell me that you love me. Love my wife, love my family. Take care of them. Pray for them. [01:23:24]

When we follow godly leadership. Now listen, there are some people in our culture that are so anti -structure and authority, they try to think like there's not even something like pastors in the Bible. That is from the pit of hell. There are pastors, and God calls pastors, and God calls leaders, and when you follow that leadership, it should be for your good, and because it's for your good, it should bring peace. [01:24:15]

If we are one, we cannot be divided. If we are one, we have peace. If we are one. [01:26:00]

There's a reason that God has given you shepherds. One is to protect you, one is to guide you, one is to correct you, and one is to bring peace in the flock. When we align with those things, the church functions the way it should. We become one in Christ, we serve through our gifts in the body of Christ, and we function based on our roles, and we relate to each other as God calls us to relate to each other. And God gives us peace. [01:28:52]

I may fail you, but I hope that's the pastor I am to you. And if I'm not, come help me become a better pastor. Amen? [01:30:08]

Somebody told me this the other day, and it goes back to the Old Testament. They were losing a battle, it was Moses, and anytime he could raise his arms, they would win. And his arms got tired. You know, he couldn't keep his arms up, and they couldn't, so people came alongside Moses and did what? Held his arms up. That's your role with me. Help me hold my arms up. You do that by recognition, and you do that by love. And then we can be victorious, and we can have peace in our church. [01:30:17]

Chatbot

What is the biblical view of church leadership?

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