Evening Prayer 2-2-11

The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of our Lord

Reading:
Titus 1:1-2:6


Our readings switch tonight since we finished 2 Timothy to that of Titus.  St. Paul opening chapter deals with qualifications of elders.  It is difficult being in the leadership of the Church.  Whether we like it or not people are watching the leaders step.  Always under the microscope by people outside the Church waiting for you to mess up.  St. Paul states that we are to not only have ourselves under control, but our family (wives and children) also must give a good witness to the faith.  So many times leaders will try to put the mask on and make their lives look perfect because we don't want anyone to see what is going on.

People outside of the Church are always going to look for any reason to stay outside the Church.  So most will discuss the issue of hypocrisy and they will point to one leader or another who missed the mark as to why they will not come back to the Church.  I am always amazed by this.  The Church is the place where sinners go to receive forgiveness.  If we could do this on our own, we would not need the Church.  Even inside the Church our leaders are often "forced" into some mask of perfection.  This should not be the case within the body of Christ.  We are all fallen and in need of the Savior.  We all have our problems, our sins, our stresses and strains, and leaders have the needs of the congregation placed  upon them as well.  This all means that our leaders are prime for attacks from Satan.

Remember Satan does not want man to have successful Church leaders.  He wants scandal to rip the Church apart.  The Pastor job is not to be perfect, it is to be the representative of Christ in the Church to bring the Words of grace and forgiveness and to bring the people the Sacraments to strengthen them.  His job is to point not to himself and his "righteousness", but rather to point us to Jesus Christ, who is our righteousness.  His job is to bring us the Word of comfort from God that we are forgiven on account of the work of Christ and to administer the grace filled Sacraments.  Our leaders need our prayers and support.  Don't look to them to be perfect, you will not find it unless you are looking to Jesus.  Our Pastor's are fallen like us and the need the Savior like us.  They are great men, but they have their flaws, don't let your faith be rocked by them not being perfect.  It is God's Word and promises in Jesus Christ that are the sure foundation and where our hope and peace truly lie.