As of this writing, a new Pope has yet to be chosen.
While I am a Protestant pastor, I appreciate the long history of the Catholic church and its emphasis on tradition.
I wish only the best for Catholics worldwide and the selection of their new spiritual leader.
There are a few words to be said about all those who seek to lead others in the biblical texts and what is required to serve.
In the New Testament church, for instance, directives are in place to establish both responsibilities and recognition.
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”
While it seems self-evident that preaching and teaching are the majority of what a pastor or priest must do, I find a greater importance regarding the idea of doing it “well”.
To be sure, many have failed to minister well.
Some fail morally. Others become slothful in diligent study and presentation. And still others have entered the ministry to an evil end. Greed and power pollute and bastardize the central message and authenticity of Christian expression.
It is an unfortunate truism that Christian leadership has a checkered past.
However, every now and then, a new truly faithful leader emerges that influences the masses positively.
In my lifetime Billy Graham was one such character. His evangelistic crusades have had an immeasurable effect on the lives of those who listened to him.
His message was clear, clean, and convicting.
If Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, Heaven must be filled with Billy Graham adherents.
Today, I have some worry that, not only a viable, unifying, spiritual leader, has emerged in America to replace leaders like Graham, but that in the vacuum, others have sullied the good name of Christ and his good news of salvation for all that believe.
It is of interest that the Old Testament speaks of those who led well and those who did not. In fact, the book of Judges is a rollercoaster of highs and lows in spiritual influence and the consequences, good or bad, for the peoples they served.
In a multi-fractured world of information and influencers, the search is easier than ever in seeking to find authentic and trustworthy voices worthy of our time and counsel.
Sadly, an equal number of misinformed or misguided teachers share the same platform.
Determining what is true is hard, perhaps harder than we imagine, and therefore we retreat into personal philosophies and ideologies, absent the rudder of Godly leadership to navigate what is right.
My hope is that all our spiritual leaders will do what they are called to do—lead well.
For those who do not, the warning is clear.
For you, the reader, concentrate on those that teach and preach the full counsel of God.
Then, you will be well on your way to being more than okay!
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.
