Last night I was part of the regular monthly meeting of the leadership team. Our staff, elders, and deacons meet to receive training, report on their work, and plan for future projects. I currently work with a great group of people seeking the Lord’s will for our Church. Each of us has flaws and things we overlook; that is why it is vital for us to work together for the good of the kingdom of God.

In this meeting, we make decisions based on hours of prayer, research, and personal experience. Not every decision we make is perfect, but we are trying to move the Church forward in the best ways we know how. Not all decisions will be popular or understood; they all will come from a place of faith and desire to see the best for our Church.

The letter to the Christians who were raised in the ways of the Old Testament is called Hebrews. Those early believers struggled to follow Jesus and trust the Church’s leaders. Most of the book is dedicated to them getting their theology correct, but the writer addresses the leadership in the final chapter. There it says, “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.” (Hebrews 13:17 – NIV 2011)

Church leaders are people who have willingly decided to accept responsibility for the flock of God. They are attempting to keep watch over people by shepherding them in the way of the Lord. They pray, teach, donate resources, manage people, deal with difficult situations, and make decisions. The writer says, “Why would you make their work a burden by not listening to them?”

One of the biggest reasons it is hard for me to find people to step into leadership roles in the Church is because they have seen the ugliness people have brought on previous leaders. They want no part of the headache and heartache. A congregation that does not have confidence in its leaders will suffer from never having good leaders. Whining and complaining may seem okay, but it is a long-term recipe for disaster. So what does it benefit you?

Those Churches who love their leaders and express their appreciation for their work make their lives a joy. And that is a benefit to everyone.