ABC VERMONT & NEW HAMPSHIRE
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • MISSION AND PURPOSE
    • REGION MINISTRIES
    • FIND A CHURCH
    • MINISTERIAL LEADERS
    • STAFF
    • CONTACT US
  • RESOURCES
    • PASTORAL RESOURCES
    • CHURCH RESOURCES
    • MISSION PROJECTS
  • NEWS AND EVENTS
    • EVENTS
    • NEWS
    • NEWSLETTER
    • ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO >
      • 2021 ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO
      • 2022 Annual Gathering Video
    • FROST HEAVE REVIVAL PODCAST
    • IMPORTANT DATES
  • SUPPORTING THE REGION

Rev. Dale Edwards: On Leading and Being Led

1/27/2022

4 Comments

 
Picture
In the Edwards' household we have a tradition of setting up the family Christmas tree, and pronouncing it the “best Christmas we ever had.” Sometimes that is the truth, and other times it is only tradition. Offering this observation year after year I believe is more of a statement, that our family, our present state, our spiritual journey is well. This is truly the best Christmas we have ever had, because we have the gift of knowing Jesus Christ. Somehow this Christianized symbol, invokes contemplation and gratitude, even peace and serenity. Because even though the world is bitter and brittle for a few days I can sit with food, family, and Christ, and remember all is really well. 
 
Over the Christmas break I had the opportunity to catch up on reading. Now, I know this is an acquired taste, but I did some more reading into the English and Scottish Reformations. Many generations before us, people convoluted their faith with their national and ethnic identities, and not only was the cost horrible, the Gospel was also disgraced. Yet there were some leaders, both Protestant and Catholic who spoke into the miasma and came out the other side never losing sight of Christ. We really do need to ask the Holy Spirit to guard and direct even our best motives and desires, lest good motives fall prey to ego and anger. Maybe it honors God most and gives fruit to the Gospel, to simple speak of and for Christ, absent of any need to win an argument.

During the break I also reflected on Philip Yancey’s memoir: “Where the Light Fell.” How desperately we need reminding of God’s grace and mercy, lest we become what we say we abhor. I have also begun to read “Letters to a Young Pastor,” which was a Christmas gift from my son. It is a compendium of letters that the late Eugene Peterson wrote to his pastor son Eric. Like so much of what Peterson wrote, one reads, then thinks, and then reads a little bit more! And then you realize some conviction starts creeping into your own pastoral heart.

In particular, Peterson in letter #3 is brave enough to address our skewed concept of leadership, borrowed from the world of MBA training versus spiritual formation. I believe Peterson’s point is we have a deficit of healthy leadership because we are lacking in “followship”. I cannot agree more that encompassing the call to lead, is the call to follow Christ. Some years past, a rather secular person, accused me of being a pastor because that is how I “made my living.” His point was, I was obligated to be a Christian because it was the same as my livelihood. No pastorate, no Christian. I couldn’t make my explanation understandable, that if I was not a pastor, I would still be a Christ follower, and being a pastor was part of my being a Christ follower. In his secular eyes all he saw was profession and compensation, and I hope I did not abet his muddled perception.

As the new year has begun, and my calendar fills again, I know this will be another year of questions. Key questions in my world will revolve around finding new pastors, searching for new leaders. In our grasping to understand a future we did not envision well, Christian communities will search for leaders who will clarify and bring direction to this new world. I hope leadership will not be neglected with followship, or we forget the soul’s state precedes public actions and words.   

I wish everyday in my near future would be the “best day I ever had.”  I know that will not be true. But I do know that Christ is the best Shepherd who I can every follow. We only lead, because we are led.

In Jesus name,  Dale
4 Comments
George Faul
2/3/2022 02:58:04 pm

Thank you Dale! Peterson was / is right the church needs shepherds not MBAs. We can only hope and yes, pray that we / all church leaders will let the true Shepherd led. Again thanks for sharing!

Reply
John Babson
2/3/2022 10:33:39 pm

Dale'
So well said! Thankyou for your observation about Eugene Peterson's example and the need for local congregations to intentionally raise up servant leaders who understand Christ's theology as well as His way for modeling how to
train disciples to replicate Jesus's passion for experiencing God's love to those still outside His fold.
Stay well!

Reply
Deborah Dickerson
2/4/2022 01:35:07 pm

Yes and amen.

Reply
Kathy Benger
2/12/2022 12:22:41 pm

"We really do need to ask the Holy Spirit to guard and direct even our best motives and desires, lest good motives fall prey to ego and anger." Excellent way to put this. We pray asking God to keep us aware of the spiritual battle we are in, mindful of our enemies and their tactics, and relyi on God and the weapons he has given us to fight the Good Fight.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    News

    Read what's happening all around the Region!

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • MISSION AND PURPOSE
    • REGION MINISTRIES
    • FIND A CHURCH
    • MINISTERIAL LEADERS
    • STAFF
    • CONTACT US
  • RESOURCES
    • PASTORAL RESOURCES
    • CHURCH RESOURCES
    • MISSION PROJECTS
  • NEWS AND EVENTS
    • EVENTS
    • NEWS
    • NEWSLETTER
    • ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO >
      • 2021 ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO
      • 2022 Annual Gathering Video
    • FROST HEAVE REVIVAL PODCAST
    • IMPORTANT DATES
  • SUPPORTING THE REGION