The Call to Lead

I buried a friend last week. A West Virginia, Ohio steel mill worker who for 40 years impacted the kingdom of God by faithfully serving alongside a line of pastors in a local church. I was privileged to have been one of those pastors.

In my wife’s words, he had always been the pastor. Those of us paid to do ministry there simply joined him. Not that he lorded it over people. He simply shepherded the flock. He was a faithful leader. In his local church they will feel the loss, not just in grief but in ministry impact.

What do leaders do when one of their own dies in their midst. They look to the rest, to the others left behind and wonder, will another rise to the challenge of the task? Will another be raised up to shepherd, to lead? The Holy Spirit will nudge others, tapping them on the shoulder. Will they respond to His call? It’s your turn now.

Leaders lead, and when their day is done, others will need to shoulder the task. When your turn comes, when you hear His voice urging, will you rise and lead?