Several really sad things have happened with people in leadership at other churches lately and it has led to my next thoughts.. my plea actually..
Let’s remember to daily lift the leaders of our church up in prayer and ask that the Holy Spirit covers them and protects them.. and let’s be responsible for nurturing our own spiritual health by being deliberate and prioritizing the time that we individually spend with God!
We have all been guilty at throwing the first stone at those very people that have some role in showing us how to grow into deeper more meaningful relationships with God… but the bottom line is leaders are people too and they miss the mark as much as anyone else…. they need our prayers not our judgement..
One of the things that really attracted me to VCNP was the health of the marriages that all of our pastors on our staff have.
It is a beautiful and very rare thing.
Are they perfect? Of course not !! But I promise you they take a lot of time and care praying together, praying for each other, and keeping each other accountable as only people who lead so many can do as well as they do..
They know and model the value of putting their marriages 2nd only to their relationship with Christ. This very thing is what we need to pray… that their marriages are protected because the enemy wants them to fail!!!!
We have a FANTASTIC Marriage Ministry that we offer for FREE at the church.. Marriage takes a lot of work, and sometimes even healthy marriages could use a bit of help and direction from these seasoned and trained volunteers and leaders.
Never feel alone in your struggles, but get the help and fellowship that God has for all and that is readily available for you at our church. Know that you are never the only one to have made a mistake or the only one who may need to have a hand in figuring out your next steps. The enemy is tricky and will lie to you to keep you separated from his body!!!
Join a small group and be deliberate in meeting new friends who wouldn’t normally be in your normal every day life. It will change you forever!
As a church it is our responsibility to pray for our leaders and thank God for the dedicated people who lead it tirelessly and with out a lot of thanks week after week… Let’s not take that for granted but rather feel very blessed by this.
Thanks for letting me share my heart!
Rebecca Turrigiano
Those were great encouraging thoughts, Rebecca. I really appreciate the integrity of our pastoral staff. That is rare, although it shouldn’t be.
You are totally right about praying for the ministry leaders and families. They need to be covered daily by our prayers of protection.I for one will daily pray for our leaders and I encourage you all to do the same.”Again, I will tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matt 18:19-20.
Thank you, Rebecca, for reminding us to “pray instead of judging” and that our wonderful leaders are human beings who need our prayers.