Wednesday, 6th March

READING

1 Peter 5: 1-7

To the Elders and the Flock:

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud    but shows favour to the humble.    6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for

MEDITATION

Christian leadership is very different to so much of leadership patterns in the world.

Christian leadership is about being a shepherd: That involves protecting people from false teaching, encouraging people to stand firm in the truth.

Secondly Christian leaders must always be aware that the people they led are not theirs they belong to God.  We are to be shepherds of Gods flock.  So we teach them what God has taught us through his word. We encourage them in Christ. They are to put their confidence in Christ and not in us.

Thirdly we are to lead by example.  Our attitude and behaviour to others, to money to sex, needs to be an example of Christian humility and care.

Fourthly Leader should always be working to rid themselves of pride.  We point people to Christ not to ourselves.

We boast in the things of Christ not in ourselves

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Oh Lord please help our leaders to be the leaders you have called them to be. To be humble servants of Christ.                                                                                                                                . Help me when I work with others and when I am in positions of leadership, always to put others before myself. To always seek to point people to Christ not to myself. Lord Humble me and keep me in yourself   Amen

Prayer focus for this Wednesday:

We pray for our Bishops and all our clergy:

Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels. Send down your gracious Spirit on all Christian people, especially our bishops and other pastors and the congregations in their care. Keep them humble and may they seek to please you. May they remain faithful to the teachings of Scripture and

Pray especially for Simon, that he would take his ordination vows seriously

Pray for all the leaders of our ministries here at CCB:

May they teach your word with care and understanding.

Pray they would love those under their care with the love of Christ.

Pray that they would seek to lead by example

Pray that that would be passionate about making disciples of all nations and loving God and neighbour.

Pray against the many false prophets, pastors and leaders of churches in this nation.

Pray we would be delivered from temptation to preach anything else except that, that has been given to us in Scripture.