[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"\u002Farticles\u002Fmake-their-work-a-joy":3,"\u002Farticles\u002Fmake-their-work-a-joy-surround":62},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"bibleBooks":8,"body":12,"columnName":44,"date":45,"description":18,"extension":46,"image":47,"meta":48,"minRead":49,"navigation":50,"path":51,"postType":52,"publication":53,"publicationUrl":47,"seo":54,"stem":55,"topics":56,"__hash__":61},"blog\u002Farticles\u002Fmake-their-work-a-joy.md","Make Their Work a Joy",{"name":7},"Dave Faust",[9,10,11],"Hebrews","1 Thessalonians","1 Timothy",{"type":13,"value":14,"toc":40},"minimark",[15,19,22,25,28,31,34,37],[16,17,18],"p",{},"Does a \"caution light\" go on in your mind when you read Hebrews 13:17? \"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.\"",[16,20,21],{},"Why a caution light? Because some leaders don't deserve our trust. Most of us know someone who's been burned by an unqualified or unhealthy spiritual leader. The Bible warns us not to follow false teachers who twist the truth, manipulating others for selfish ends. Like wolves in sheep's clothing, they leave people wounded and disillusioned. Jesus said, \"By their fruit you will recognize them.\"",[16,23,24],{},"Those who've been hurt are understandably wary about submitting to church leadership. But while it's wise to be cautious about whom we follow, we shouldn't become so cynical that we won't follow anyone. What about all the honest, godly people with pure motives and sincere hearts who lead the church, not because they're hungry for money or power, but because they truly want Jesus' name to be glorified and his work to flourish? What about all the wise, caring servant-leaders who sacrificially shepherd God's flock? How do we treat them? Are we making their work a joy, or a burden?",[16,26,27],{},"In healthy churches, you don't find a suspicious \"us versus them\" mentality, but strong bonds of trust, respect, and mutual accountability based on love for Christ and for one another.",[16,29,30],{},"Elders, preachers, teachers, and other leaders have rewarding but difficult jobs. Keenly aware of their accountability to God, they also sense the expectations of church members who see them as direction setters, problem solvers, Bible expositors, caring counselors, example setters, spiritual mentors, burden bearers, team players, and hope givers all rolled into one. The load can seem heavy indeed—a job often rewarded with more criticism than accolades.",[16,32,33],{},"As a result, some good leaders become discouraged. Instead of picking up the towel of service, they simply throw in the towel and quit. Other potential leaders are frightened away before they even start. Why should a bright young man consider devoting his life to ministry if his parents dine on \"roast preacher\" for Sunday dinner every week? Still other leaders labor at less than their full potential, frustrated by uncooperative followers who seem determined to press their feet firmly on the brake pedal whenever the church begins to move forward.",[16,35,36],{},"Respect for leaders isn't a manmade policy dreamed up at a board meeting. The Bible tells us to hold our leaders in the highest regard because of their work (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13). If they work hard at preaching and teaching, give them double honor; rebuke them if they sin, but protect them against false accusations (1 Timothy 5:17-20). Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7). We need to support them with our prayers, our appreciation, and a cooperative attitude that seeks what is best for the whole body of Christ instead of promoting our own agendas.",[16,38,39],{},"Nobody benefits if we make our leaders' task more burdensome. Everybody benefits when we make their work a joy.",{"title":41,"searchDepth":42,"depth":42,"links":43},"",2,[],"From the Editor's Desk","1998-05-17","md",null,{},3,true,"\u002Farticles\u002Fmake-their-work-a-joy","column","The Lookout",{"title":5,"description":18},"articles\u002Fmake-their-work-a-joy",[57,58,59,60],"Biblical Theology","Church Leadership","Spiritual Formation","Intergenerational Ministry","ITu1PW7_0MA84qYcN1oDN0flr-3POvAR3RNIxQmX-XU",[63,68],{"title":64,"path":65,"stem":66,"description":67,"children":-1},"Mad at Death","\u002Farticles\u002Fmad-at-death","articles\u002Fmad-at-death","Recently a friend at work received a phone call from his mom, who lives in a distant state. She had bad news. Her husband (my coworker’s 59-year-old dad) had died suddenly of a heart attack.",{"title":69,"path":70,"stem":71,"description":72,"children":-1},"Malled to Death","\u002Farticles\u002Fmalled-to-death","articles\u002Fmalled-to-death","The apostle Paul wrote, \"If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that\" (1 Timothy 6:8). Personally, I find Paul appealing and the mall appalling."]