Day by Day

Holy Week from the other side of the pulpit

For the first time in 8 years, I am not in the pulpit on Resurrection Sunday.  Holy week is a very demanding time for all preachers of the gospel.  I am so accustomed to planning Maundy Thursday services, participating in the seven last word ecumenical services, and trying to think of a new and inspiring way to preach about the resurrection. 

 

This year could have been very depressing for me, but I realized that for the first time in 8 years I could be on the receiving end of this high and holy week.  Instead of lamenting, I began to look around for new way to celebrate. What I have found is a banquet of spiritual delicacies to feast upon. 

 

On Wednesday, I will attend a 6:00 a.m. prayer vigil for our nation and world. On Friday evening I will attend a theatrical production reenacting the resurrection, On Thursday afternoon I will accompany a friend to an hour of power ecumenical worship service, on Thursday evening I will attend a Maundy Thursday service at the Central Presbyterian church, 

 

For the main course, I have joined a local community resurrection choir that will minister during a Good Friday afternoon service and during three services on Easter Sunday. I have also been inspired to fast this entire week and replace my meals with prayer and Bible reflection. 

 

I am almost certain that next year, I will be back in the pulpit during this sacred week, but this year, I have no regrets. I am truly enjoying Holy Week from the other side of the pulpit.  May your Holy Week experience also be  unpredictable and life giving.    

 

Spiritual Mentoring

Who are you discipling?  Leaders are called to pass on to others the experiences that they have gained as a result of being in a disciplined relationship with God.  Leaders are followed by someone.  Which of those someones have you identified as the one or several that you will spend extra time praying with, sharing your faith story with and affirming. We should all be working our selves out of of our church positions anyway. True spiritual leaders must never become too busy handling church business that we fail to bear spiritual fruit. John chapter 15 vs. 5  declares, " I am the vine you are the branches.  Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit. Because apart from me you can do nothing." 

How deeply are you abiding in the spirit of Jesus Christ?  Maybe that's the question to be asked.  This spiritual journey has not been designed to be one of self centeredness.  It is a steady flow of giving and receiving and giving. Spiritual mentoring also has many rewards for us leaders.  It keeps us focused on the things that matter most.  It gives us the extra momentum that we need to make the right decisions as we are aware that others are depending on us to do so.  Spiritual mentoring helps us to be more accountable to our committment to God and to the ministries that we are called to.  Seek God's guidance for someone to mentor you will become a better leader as you give what you have received away.