How many of you remember, on August the 5th, the bus crash that killed two people and injured band students on both buses? The news reported the 2 buses, with high school band students, were going to an amusement park when they slammed into a freeway wreck that happened right in front of them, crushing a pickup truck and killing its driver and one of the students.
This wreck near Gray Summit, about 40 miles west of St. Louis, happened when a pickup truck rear-ended a semi cab that had slowed down because it was nearing a construction zone, state police said. The first bus, which was carrying female band members from John F. Hodge High in St. James, slammed into the back of the pickup, and then was launched on top of it after it was rear-ended by the second bus.
Highway Patrol Cpl. Jeff Wilson said the driver of the first bus moved into the passing lane to give a distressed vehicle in the shoulder more room. She was checking her rearview mirror while returning to the right-hand lane when she noticed the first impact but could not stop in time, hitting the pickup. The second bus then rear-ended the first, vaulting the first bus onto the top of the pickup, which was crushed.
Wilson said it was too soon to say if any of the drivers would face charges.
Now I haven’t heard anymore about this tragedy, but I would like for us to listen again to what was recorded from the officer “the first bus moved into the passing lane to give a distressed vehicle in the shoulder more room. She was checking her rearview mirror while returning to the right-hand lane when she noticed the first impact but could not stop in time, hitting the pickup.”
Have you ever done something you believed to be exactly correct and then have someone question your ability or maybe the authority or accuracy of your decisions? You’ve done everything by the book and yet people still question if you could have done more?
I know a pastor who tells a story of his young journey into the ministry. The story goes like this… upon returning to church after a weekend retreat that spiritually moved him to the core; he had a new found enthusiasm and love for God that wasn’t shared by the rest of the church. This person was so grateful for the forgiveness he had found and the understanding that he, himself, was the main obstacle to God’s grace in his life; he promised God he would do all he could for everyone, and he meant everyone: the addict, wife beater, murder, sex offenders, trailer trash, you name it and he wanted to use his home church to reach far out, far beyond the norm. This would mean having a since of urgency, though, and surprisingly to him, it was met with opposition! This lay person, at the time, during a church board meeting, stood up and boldly shared that he would no longer tithe to the church, instead he would spend his money separately in ministry through the church. Then no one could say what would or wouldn’t be done in ministry because of the fear of losing or spending their precious money! Ironically, this very lay person just a few short years later became their pastor. God definitely has a sense of humor! I believe we Methodist’s call it Sanctifying Grace! Jesus said the first shall be last and the last shall be first, meaning to be a leader you must be a servant!
Read Acts 15: 36-40
So you why did I pick the character of Silas? We read in scripture Silas was a leader in his church, but when he joined Paul; he became a servant and a subordinate. So the reason I picked him is to answer a question presented to me about my position on staff here at St. Paul and my loyalty to Sister Mary.
Scriptures tell us Paul had a falling out over John Mark, so, when Silas was presented, we have no record of Paul questioning his authenticity, desire or dedication. I believe scripture affirms that Paul was a Spirit led man, prayerfully seeking God’s guidance, giving God credit for every idea, acknowledging that God is in control. I have to believe Silas’s arrival wasn’t a surprise for him. I would assume it was answered prayer, acknowledgment of God providing, but definitely, not a coincidence. I, too, do not believe in coincidences. It isn’t by chance that I’m here with you today or serving you in the roles that I do. No more than is it a coincident that Larry Berry is our lay leader, Paul Overstreet our SPRC chair, Jeff Roberts chair of Administration Council, Sister Mary, our Senior Pastor, and all the roles each of you do. Paul and Silas give us a model that shows, only when a group of leaders is willing to be used by God and unified in following His vision, will exciting things happen. Paul and Silas were unified in their ministry and in their prayer life, in their authenticity, their desire and dedication. We, too, must seek this same unity!
Unfortunately, through my years in the church, many congregations act more like corporations which cause them to encounter the same problems. This is evident when they pit the leaders against one another to justify their means, as if, we have a bottom line to measure against instead of being what God called us to be; a complex entity, made up of staff and volunteers whose diverse opinions are waded, prayed over, taken into context, and used to build upon our ultimate purposes and to see which is the best way for achieving them. (Mission Statement) Are we doing that?
Silas’ great job, in our introduction to him, is to carry an acceptance letter to the new gentile converts into Christianity. My job, here, with Sister Mary, as her subordinate, is to carry the acceptance letter from Christ to those who are broken, hurting, lost and in search for spiritual change and/or growth.
Now there are a lot of things that can be said about Silas, but boring isn’t one of them. This is one trait I share with Silas, for I’m never boring. I guess in fairness, it is suffice to say I’m not luke warm. When I discuss something with someone, you will know without a shadow of a doubt whether I’m hot or cold, but luke warm, I’m not.
We all know that any time we are doing God’s work there are great snares about. Silas faced these with Paul and the truth is I’ve faced them not only as a pastor, but as a lay person, as well. My point being, if you truly serve God, you may be hot or cold at times, but your life will never be boring!
Silas suffered with Paul, whether guilt by association or choice. Silas suffered in prison and other hardships for the Kingdom of God. I, too, am willing to suffer with Sister Mary, especially if we are promoting Christ. The Bible reminds us that the world will hate us, but to take heart (John 16:33).
Silas, like me, came into a subordinate role as a leader, yet was willing to navigate the obstacles one will face to capitalize on the opportunities which seem beyond one’s reach. Trust me, there are obstacles to serving in this capacity, but my objective hasn’t changed… to impart spiritual guidance, disciplining, and encouraging holy habits and Christian goals in and for our lives. What Paul and Silas demonstrated for us is partnership. Partnership is a significant part of effective ministry.
So how does this apply to you? Well, most of us are not the boss at work. We are in some pecking order from the top. So, in reality all of us who aren’t the boss are leading from the second chair. Let me give you a definition: This is anybody in a subordinate role whose influence with others adds value throughout the organization. Now you may not be the boss, but you still can make a difference. You see, even though I’m the associate pastor of this church, I still believe I’m to make a difference in this church and change the world. But it can’t start in my state, or my county, or my neighborhood, or even on this street, until the change starts with me knowing who I am, and where God wants to use me.
Remember what John the Baptist said when he was asked if he was the Christ? He said “no!” It is important for us to know who we are and it is also important to know who or what we are not!
Silas came to believe that God’s will for his life was better than his own. This helped him to work through the paradoxes that come from submitting himself to Paul as an assistant. You and I must come to believe the same if we are going submit our will and care over to God.
Silas displays in his obedience to God through being a subordinate to Paul, that obedience to God will often mean giving up our security blankets. Coming here as an associate pastor/youth leader was giving up my security blanket. It wasn’t the first time and I’m sure not the last. My first time was when I accepted God’s forgiveness. If you are like me, we have a tendency to let the things that have injured us become our security blankets. I had to let that go before I could forgive myself for all the lives I murdered emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and financially. Once this was gone, I could see and feel God’s love and His forgiveness. What is your response today? Has your security blanket become an obstacle to you for seeing and feeling God’s love and forgiveness?
Silas models that submission to another person isn’t “less leadership”. He modeled that being Paul’s subordinate wasn’t beneath him or that this role was to narrow for him. He shows us that his role didn’t mean giving up his identity or individual and corporate dreams for the Kingdom.
Do you believe that Christ is the head of the church? If you do and you believe that the Holy Spirit is guiding the UMC, then I have to believe that Mary Susan’s authority is by His hand and I/ we are to pray for her asking for the infilling of the Holy Spirit in her decision making and leadership. If Christ is the head of the church, then theoretically, friends, we are all trying to lead from the second chair. Our partnership is a must if we are going to be effective in ministry. This is why, I believe, Silas is so important.
My question to you is this, are your dreams God’s dreams? If not are you willing to adopt His dreams for your dreams?
Friends second chair leadership, as we have defined it this morning, is biblical; this is exactly the style of leadership that is modeled by Jesus and repeatedly taught in the New Testament.
Read Mark 10:35-45
Submission is the essential attitude of a second chair leader. You and I are going to be called upon, as we follow God, to make some hard decisions and face challenging moments. Jesus’ submission wasn’t a loss of authority, but recognition of His source of authority.
If we are going to model Christ to the world, we must be willing to be under the authority that God has established. We must have a submissive heart!
So I ask you to check your heart this morning and answer this question, do I help make this church effective in achieving the goals of Christ? Are we good at what we do? How can I be a solution instead of adding to the problem?
I’m delighted to be here in the role of second chair, serving gladly and humbly! Are you?
Christ is still here in the subordinate role, He is full of wisdom, gladly willing to serve you and humbly help you achieve the great things God has in store for your life.
Alter call!!
