Pastoral leadership is inherently endearing.
This means that Christian leaders are servants who hold their fellow Christians
in highest esteem. This is demonstrated by the language one uses to identify
the body of Christ. I am fascinated by John the Apostle’s use of two terms in 1
John chapter 2. He designates his readers as “My little children,” and “Beloved.”
“My
little children”—what a winsome way to refer to his fellow Christians. The
assumption is that he is referring to fellow believers who are young in the faith. Either John himself or
another apostle or strong Christian leader has most likely led these believers
to their lifetime commitment to Jesus. I wonder what difference it would make
if all of us who are Christian servant-leaders viewed others in the body of
Christ for whom we have a spiritual stewardship as our “little children?”
This
implies a tender feeling and response to their tenuous, early attempts at taking
their early steps in the Christian walk. “My little children” falter and wobble
in that step, and yet we rejoice because they are taking one step after another
trying to follow Jesus.
“Beloved”
is the other winsome way that John refers to his fellow Christians. This is a
fascinating word because it basically means being in the constant state of
being loved by someone. And that state of being loved never changes. The one
who is beloved can never become un-beloved! Interestingly, in Ephesians Jesus
is identified with the same term as “Beloved.” Being a recipient of God’s
gracious love and mercy stamps one as being “Beloved.”
This
implies an acceptance our part of one another, even in spite of our sinful
selves. Cracked pots and warts-and-all define us in our humanity. Though we
feel such insignificance and unworthy to be loved, Christian servant-leaders
demonstrate love and acceptance toward others as always being “Beloved.” No
mistake, no sin, no injustice, can erase the fact that we all stand beloved in
Christ.
What
a way for Christian servant leaders to live! This winsome way of seeing fellow
Christians as “our little children” and “beloved” radically changes the
fundamental vision and practice of fellowship in the body of Christ. These are spiritual terms of endearment. May
we see others this way to the glory of God!
In Christian love, Curtis
