Pastor Jacob on Partnership & Pastoring

At my core, I’m a reluctant leader. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not serving out of compulsion (1 Pet 5:2), but the responsibility is what my nature tends to recoil from. Can you relate? I can identify with Moses on some level – he was fearful, rash, dodged responsibility, unsure of what to say, prone to errors in judgment, sometimes a bit whiny (it’s all true and you can read about it in Exodus and Deuteronomy).

I’m not trying to disparage a hero from the bible; but every human hero we read about seems to have serious flaws. Don’t you love how real and raw scripture is? What seems universal about these leaders, at least the better ones, is that they eventually submit to what is in front of them and to the will of God. I’m finding that there is a wonderful paradox in play, both for Moses and for me as a pastor. As I maintain weakness and submission to God, he can do amazing things.

In other ways, my situation is not like Moses. He had to put up with grumbling, open rebellion, a coup attempt, war, plague, etc. The people I get to serve and pastor are wonderful. You increase my joy greatly (Heb 13:17). I feel cared for, prayed for and entrusted with the care of people. I won’t deny there are moments of difficulty. But, as I press in and do that which I’m called to do, I get a greater sense of joy and a greater sense of the work of Jesus our chief shepherd. And, He was NOT reluctant.

“...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right had of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)

As I follow our chief shepherd, Jesus, He said I should not expect to escape anything that he didn’t experience (John 15:20). He experienced pain, suffering, ridicule and pure joy as he headed for the cross. As a leader, I can experience joy in the most difficult of circumstances and suffering. Christ is the One who makes me no longer reluctant. And, I will likely never have to do anything close to what Christ did……..Of course, I haven’t yet tried to lead you all through the desert to forage for food.

I’m so proud to serve and co-labor alongside you and the other leaders at the Village Church.

With Great Joy in Partnership,

Jacob