Church leadership - Father's heart

One of the distinguishing features of Christian Leadership in a church is that, the man who leads must have the heart of the father. This is certainly not required in the secular leadership. But when it comes to leading God's people, this is essential. I think a man without compassion should not be a pastor. What are the essential traits of the father that we need to display/possess as we lead a group of God's children? Here's one. 

Compassion

Psalms 103:13 - As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 

The King James version uses the word pity. The father pities his children. A normal father never hates his children, no matter how bad he becomes or how much damage the son has done to the father. He never hopes for the destruction of his son or prays or hopes for retribution. In spite of all the wickedness and disobedience of the children of Israel, the Bible tells us God has compassion on them. When the prodigal son wilfully wasted all the hard earned savings of the father, the Bible tells us the father was still waiting for his return. Even when Jesus knew Peter will deny Him, Jesus said, I have prayed for you". It was compassion. The leader whom God uses, deals with the sheep in compassion.

This becomes vert difficult especially when the people you lead, speak ill of you and step you behind your back. When unfounded accusations are made by people you cared for. If you are in leadership you will experience this many times in your ministry. I am no exception. Many times its hard to react with compassion. In fact the natural reaction will be to hope for their doom. In fact I have prayed that God will punish touch people. Hmmm, so much for a self righteous leader. But if God is to use a leader, compassion is the staff which which he handles the sheep, even if he is wronged he prays for their God, hopes for their good and does them good. 

This was what separated Moses for many other leaders. Ex 32:32 - But now, please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."

What a powerful way God deals with us. Ps 103:10- He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 

In the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7, we find the shepherd leaving behind the 99, just to go and look for the one lost. He could always have said, its ok, its just one, naughty one who likes to winder off own his own. But no, that one was so precious to him, even it it had caused him pain and headache. If you want to be a pastor, you must have such a heart. Anything less, disqualifies you for the office.  The pastor's heart is the shepherd's heart.

In fact Jesus himself said in John 10:11 -  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

Treat them just as you would  treat your own children. 

That's what the father in the parable of the prodigal son did. In spite of all that the son did to him, the father waited patiently for his return. Did the father know that the son was wasting away his money? Apparently the elder son did. Yet when he returned, the father ran towards him, embraced and kissed the undeserving son. This is compassion at its best.

In his compassion, God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son so that you and I can become the sons and daughters of Him. (John 3:16, 1:12)

In other words, God was so full of grace. The shepherd who looks after God's people, need to be full of grace as well.That does not mean we condone sin. But always offer the repentant son a hand of forgiveness