How do we get things right in the Church of Jesus Christ? How can we get things right in the Church of Jesus Christ, and in other walks of life and business too? We tend to swing from one extreme to the other and in Scotland in particular we have suffered from this quite a lot! In Psalm 73 Asaph, the writer shows us how we might be able to get things right, although we must admit that is seldom easy.
There are places in Scotland where people who come to every Service and Prayer Meeting, but who, because they have taken membership vows, they dare not touch the bread and wine, and there are people who only appear when it what is called Communion Sunday.
Wine
That may apply to other nations and countries too.
Some over analyse their lack of fitness and unworthiness, and others appear when the bread and wine are going to be served without much thought being given.
Presbyterianism in some forms is all about pulse taking, which can emerge in self-condemnation, and in certain Pentecostal and Charismatic circles, I have met so much superficiality. How can we get a Biblical balance? It will require strong, very strong, authoritative and sensitive leadership. Let me illustrate.
There was an incident many years ago in St Giles Church, Edinburgh, Scotland. There was that famous occasion concerning the brilliant Scottish Hebrews scholar and Old Testament Professor, "Rabbi" Duncan. He was administering the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, in St. Giles, one Sunday, and he noticed a woman quietly sobbing near the front of the church. She let both the bread and the wine pass by her without taking the elements.
He got up, took some bread and wine from an elder, took it to the woman, and handed it to her. "Take it, woman. It's for sinners." It was for the likes of her Jesus Christ died. Who knows what crisis she was facing through her tears? Now, there was strong bold spiritual leadership, and the principles can be applied to various walks of life.
Of course, there is the opposite where leaders pronounce, "Peace, peace, where there is no peace" and where there is an absence of true godly sorrow, and shortcomings, failures, failing, and sins are lightly regarded.
Psalm 73 has much to teach us on this whole area. It can provide a sound solid foundation on which we can reliably build, and we learn vital lessons on basic leadership. Asaph give us profound insights which are missing from the various business and managements schools, and if this aspect is not right then many other aspects will not be right either. Wise men will pay great heed to what this writer has to teach.
Good leaders and sound solid leadership can provide effective and fruitful balance, and this is seldom easy. Such leadership, however, is greatly needed in these present days, and it is very scarce. Can you offer and provide qualities of leadership which will inspire and motivate and be an example to others?
Sandy Shaw
Good Worthy Reliable Leaders and Sound Solid Leadership Can Provide Effective Productive Balance
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
Sandy Shaw
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