Behavior 101 - leaders and followers

This week, we are looking at rules for Christian behavior. Prompted by my view of a local church that has split because of disharmony and disunity, we are looking at guidelines for believers' behavior. These guidelines will be valuable for our lives, whether we are looking at a church setting, at our families, or any other time that we interact with other human beings. (Grin) Tall order, huh?

The most important reason for looking at and adhering to some Biblical guidelines is that we will be more effective. More effective in leadership, in following our leaders, and in living godly lives that will point others to our Savior.
I'd like to ask that you take a break from reading here and find I Thessalonians in your Bible, and read chapter five.....
We'll wait here till you get back!
Our focus passage will be verses

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.  (I Thessalonians 5:11-25)

Paul gave us some simple but effective guidelines for living in the Spirit. Many years ago, an acronym became popular -- K I S S. I believe it was the Navy that first used it, but I'm going to change it up a bit. I think it stands for Keep it Super Simple. And that is what Paul has done here.
Let's dive in!

The first Super Simple Rule here in Behavior 101 is for those who have leadership roles. "Oh, well, you aren't talking about me now."
Yes I am!
No matter who we are, we can be leaders. It doesn't matter if we work full time or work in the home. It makes no difference if we are "just" a member of the congregation in the local fellowship, or if we have a title and a role that we fill each Sunday. It's our responsibility to provide godly leadership. We all have that duty. There might not be as many people who look to us for guidance as are following a pastor, or a ministry leader -- but we are still responsible for those who seek our guidance aloud, and for those who simply watch us and emulate our attitudes and actions.
What's basic, 101 behavior for us as leaders?
Looking back at verse 12, we see that Paul mentions that leaders "work hard." The root there means "toil, strive, struggle, and grow weary doing so." Wow. No shade tree action here. This is roll-up-your-sleeves-and-smile, work-even-if-it's-100-degrees action.

Those who work their land will have abundant food,    but those who chase fantasies have no sense. (Proverbs 12:11)

 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them? (Ecclesiastes 3:22)

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 30:35)

We are to be willing to labor to the point of being sweaty and tired if need be; we should rejoice in the opportunities to work for Him until we are weary.  We need to look at work as our opportunity to serve - rather than to be served. Godly leaders will work hard.
Next, verse 13 mentions that godly leaders will be worthy of respect. This includes some pretty important stuff: how we treat our families, how we work, how we treat others. It also includes whether or not we are welcoming, humble, and caring in our attitudes toward those we influence.
Lastly, we as leaders must correct the wrong kinds of behavior that we see in those we lead. Paul mentions caring for and admonishing others. Whether we are leading in a family setting, or in a church setting, we must be sensitive and compassionate - while we also correct those who have gone astray. Oh, that's not fun. But somebody's got to do it!

The flip side of that coin is that at the same time we are leaders, we are probably followers. Let's face it, there's always someone higher up the chain of command, right? (Grin)
So, we first need to make certain that we respect our leaders and communicate our appreciation for them, whether in words or deeds. We need to encourage them, too.
And another fact of life is that we are not always going to agree with decisions they make, but we are still supposed to respect -- and cooperate with them. In Ephesians 4, Paul talks about the different roles that we all have. We should strive to fill those roles and use our skills and gifts to do so. When we are corrected, accept it graciously and strive to do better.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

It's important that if we're blessed to have leadership roles, that we do our best to rely on the Spirit and provide godly guidance. When we are in "follower mode," we need rely on the Spirit to be gracious followers.
We'll explore this passage further tomorrow!