Note: As you may know, I have had the privilege of serving as the preaching pastor at New Life since the church began in March 2009. This summer, I’ll be taking a sabbatical – a time of extended rest that is designed to replenish me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Because I am filled with gratitude for New Life, I thought I’d share a series of reflections on why I love our church. This post is the second in a series of five. I hope you enjoy them!

I love reading about leadership. One of my favorite books on the subject is especially relevant right now, because it shows Paul’s exemplary leadership in the final chapters of the Book of Acts. I love this quote:

According to Christ, then, the truest kind of leadership demands service, sacrifice, and selflessness. A proud and self-promoting person is not a good leader by Christ’s standard, regardless of how much clout he or she might wield. Leaders who look to Christ as their Leader and their supreme model of leadership will have servants’ hearts. They will exemplify sacrifice. (MacArthur, The Book on Leadership, V)

When I think of faithful service, people like Jim and Trudi Askew come to mind. Even a year before our church started, Jim and Trudi were serving behind the scenes – organizing meals, helping with set-up and tear down, leading and hosting a Life Group, and serving in the preschool. We have many other members just like them who serve faithfully but receive little credit for all they do.

When I think of sacrifice, people like Cale and Jessie Gardenhire come to mind. When they graduated and got married shortly after we planted New Life, they could have moved to pursue more lucrative careers and to enjoy the amenities of a larger city. Instead, they stayed in our community and pursued job opportunities here so they could make disciples at New Life. Many other couples and singles in our church have a similar story, and we would not be where we are today without them.

And when I think of selflessness, people like Emily Green come to mind. Anyone who knows her recognizes that she counts others more significant than herself in humility (Phil. 2:3). If someone has a need, Emily is usually one of the first to respond. She is a godly woman who puts God first, others second, and herself last.

I believe one of the reasons we have such wonderful leaders at New Life is because we have such faithful elders. The author of Hebrews writes, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7) I am forever grateful to God for the men who shepherd New Life along with me.

A church cannot be healthy without leaders who serve, sacrifice, and put others first. By the grace of God, our church is filled with these kinds of leaders. And that’s yet another reason I love New Life so much.

 Written by New Life Preaching Pastor, Allen Duty