Peter said, "Lord, did you tell this story for us or for all people?" The Lord said, "Who is the wise and trusted servant? The master trusts one servant to give the other servants their food at the right time. Who is the servant that the master trusts to do that work? When the master comes and finds that servant doing the work he gave him, that servant will be very happy. I tell you the truth. The master will choose that servant to take care of everything the master owns. But what will happen if that servant is evil and thinks that his master will not come back soon? That servant will begin to beat the other servants, men and women. He will eat and drink and get drunk. Then the master of that servant will come when that servant is not ready. It will be a time when that servant is not expecting the master. Then the master will punish that servant. The master will send him away to be with the other people that don't obey. That servant knew what his master wanted him to do. But that servant did not make himself ready or try to do what his master wanted. So that servant will be punished very much! But what about the servant that does not know what his master wants? The servant does things that deserve punishment. But he will get less punishment than the servant that knew what he should do. Any person that has been given much will be responsible for much. Much more will be expected from the person that has been given more." -- Luke 12:41-48 (ERV)

"Be ready! Be fully dressed and have your lights shining. Be like servants that are waiting for their master to come home from a wedding party. The master comes and knocks. The servants open the door for the master. Those servants will be blessed when their master comes home, because he sees that his servants are ready and waiting for him. I tell you the truth. The master will dress himself for work and tell the servants to sit at the table. Then the master will serve them. Those servants might have to wait until midnight or later for their master. But they will be happy when their master comes in and finds them still waiting. Remember this: If the owner of the house knew what time a thief was coming, then the owner would not allow the thief to enter his house. So you also must be ready! The Son of Man will come at a time when you don't expect him!" ~ Jesus, Luke 12:35-40 (ERV)

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." ~ Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14 NRSV

"But it will be bad for you Pharisees! You give God one-tenth of {everything you own}--even your mint, your rue, and every other little plant in your garden. But you forget to be fair to other people and to love God. These are the things you should do. And you should also continue to do those other things--{like giving one-tenth}." ~ Jesus, Luke 11:42 (ERV)

One of Satan’s greatest tactics that he uses against us is distractions.  If he can keep us distracted, he will keep us from fulfilling our purpose and our mission here on earth.  We must recognize this tactic and overcome it.

Click and listen to this encouraging message by Rev. Greg Johnson, founder of LGF.  It will tell us how we can overcome distractions and fulfill our purpose and mission in life.

God is not far away.  He is not an absentee father.  He is much closer than you may realize.

Click and listen to this encouraging message by Rev. Greg Johnson, founder of LGF.

by Rev. Sean Lawrence

1 Thessalonians 2:4-7 & 4:9-12  Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives--God is our witness-- and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others. Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.

About brotherly love: you don't need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.  (eSword HCSB © 2005)

Paul says that it is not leadership, but the church as a body, that is about God’s business.  This defies the conventional model that tells us that leadership is the church and the rest are but laborers.  It is the body that indeed defines the church, not a handful of managers.  If it is a cult of personality, known only by its senior pastorate, then it is honoring self, not God.  That would make such a model [potentially] a pagan worship center with a false god at its helm.  Avoid this.  Do not be tempted.

One concept of the new church model is the upside-down pyramid with the base (now the top) being made up of the body.  Another approach would be the hub and spoke model where leaders are at the center and the body radiates out like spokes.  Either way, the burden of the church is born by the body, where the real strength is, not by a handful of designated leadership types.  Our strength is in God, not men.

Primary mission:  pleasing God, not men, as Christ’s disciples.

Paul speaks to the activities, and the examples of the body, more than he ever discusses leadership.  There is a good reason for that.  Leadership in the Christ-like model serves and does not glorify itself above the body.  Christ pointed to God, not to Himself.  We would do well to remember that deliberate focus.

Yes, leadership has the distinct duty to direct and facilitate, and has a specific calling to help mobilize; but they are also held accountable for that calling.  Such a calling is not for everyone, but everyone has a specific calling.

Paul suggests:  love one another, be gentle, strive to please God not men, do not be greedy, lead a quiet life, tend to your own business, work with your hands, walk the walk, and do not be a burden to others.

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Rev. Sean Lawrence is a credentialed minister with Loving God Fellowship.  He ministers and resides in Middletown, Ohio, with his wife Rebecca.