1 Timothy 5:22

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. – 1 Timothy 5:22

Dear Jesus,

Oh, how many mistakes are made when we do not practice discernment before giving leadership in the church to people!  God give me a patient and loving eye that sizes up the potential leaders for my congregation.  Help me to be cautiously optimistic as I think through who is best for what job.  Keep me from just looking for warm bodies and people to whom I can delegate things I don’t like doing.  If someone has disqualified themselves as a leader, make me brave enough to remove them and loving enough to support them as they rehabilitate.  Help me to remember to grant forgiveness and to keep grace separate from temporal consequences.  And help church leaders everywhere to protect their flocks from the wolves that creep in and devour the saints with scandalous living, bad teaching and selfish agendas.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

Responsible leadership in the church is the reward for sincere faith working itself out in love.