The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
(Presbytery pastoral reflections continued)
Fourth, don’t be overly Presbyterian in the same way as Ecclesiastes warns you not to be overly righteous. Presbyterian government did not fall out of heaven; it did for the Israelites and they still messed things up. Government needs godly men who implement it. Be holy men and don’t use the polity to grind other men down or get your way. Rather, overlook sins and be patient with each other. Build the kingdom and let Jesus have the final say. Don’t get distracted with legal issues; church ‘wanna be lawyers’ are very discouraging!
Fifth, stay out of elected politics. You are already a politician as you trump the kingdom of Christ. Remember that good laws don’t change hearts, but love and worship and God’s word does. So focus on leading your people into God’s presence weekly, feeding on Christ in faith, and practicing the commandments of Jesus as taught by you and your church’s leaders. Focus on the joy of life in Christ; that’s what changes a culture. A society becomes what it worships.
Lastly, love your wife. She is your helpmeet and brings wisdom to the table. So pick her brain as your personal Lady Wisdom. God gave her one to help you. Of course, she also is your closest friend, being one body with her. So date her weekly, romance her, and set up the date yourself by getting a babysitter, etc. Lead! Practice love by serving her. She needs you up close and personal; make the time. Also take her overnight at least once a year, just the two of you unless you have a nursing baby. Be creative; expensively or cheaply, but do it. Most men leave the ministry over sexual issues or because of bad kids; don’t join them by loving the one you’re with! (2 Timothy 4:1–5; 2 Corinthians 2:16–17)