Joshua 1: Encouraging the New Leader

"They answered Joshua, 'Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.'"

Joshua 1:16

Yesterday, my church's new pastor gave his first sermon as our official leader.  It was one of encouragement and calling.  He spoke of the direction he wanted our church to go - further on the same path that our previous pastor was leading us - being better individuals, a stronger body together, and a more meaningful ministry to our community and the world.  The same message God has given us since the beginning of Genesis.

During his sermon, I was reminded of my reading because the end of Deuteronomy and beginning of Joshua is the first time we really see this kind of leadership change in Israel.  The Israelites affirmed their new leader because he was a follower of the Lord, was close to their previous leader (Moses), and was leading them on the same righteous path they had already started on.

I've been in other churches during their time of transition between leaders.  I've known others who've told me about their churches in similar situations.  My own sister is a Presbyterian minister who is now at her second church, and has seen this transition process firsthand.  Ultimately, there are four possibilities with a change in leadership: 1) a struggling church could get worse, 2) a struggling church could get better, 3) a prosperous church could get worse, 4) a prosperous church could get better.  I'm proud to say that Trinity Baptist Church of Madison, AL, seems to have made the fourth option a reality - just as Israel did when Joshua took over after the death of Moses.

Question of the Day:

Which path is your church body on?  Are you on the path to righteous growth, or the downward spiral toward despair?  What role do you play in your church's future?  How can you help your church members grow individually and as a group?

Prayer of the Day:

Lord, continue to guide my church during its fragile time of leadership change.  Thank You for giving us a strong backbone with which to continue in the absence of a leader until now.  Lead our new pastor as you led Moses and Joshua. Lead our church body as You led Israel.  Continue to make us grow and prosper through our servitude.  Amen.