Hands-on

Hands-On

When my church installed its new pastor, a single moment from that joyful occasion gripped my heart: our leader on his knees before the gathered assembly, wearing like a mantle the hands of the elders of the church as they prayed over him. I knew the moment was rich when I saw it unfold, but later, looking at the photographs, I kept coming back to that shot of the hands-on prayer.

Our former pastor was beloved. There was no drama involved in his departure. He simply accepted God’s call to another church. First we grieved. Then we rested in the sovereignty of God, trusted in the process our denomination outlined for us, formed a search committee, and moved ahead. For a year, the seven of us on the committee held our church in our hearts and sought God’s leader in his time. In the process we learned what church should teach at every turn—to hear, love, and respect each other—and we learned to seek God together. In our backgrounds, our giftings, our personalities and quirks, we were as diverse as the church family we were serving.

The differences that made our work a struggle at times made it a blessing in the end. Isn’t that just like God? He was faithful. He brought our pastor to us, and he brought us together in that decision. And as hard as it was to say good-bye to the shepherd we loved, my heart was full when I recognized the shepherd who would lead us forward. That picture is more than a record of an event. It is a snapshot of our family of faith, of the process we’ve been through, and of God’s great faithfulness to us, his beloved bride.

We don’t do this Christ-following walk alone. Ever. The prayers of the saints surround us, and we are empowered together on our knees. Church is a hands-on affair. Not just in service projects and Sunday worship, but in support of each other through the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re never out of our Father’s reach when we’re within reach of one another.

I ask you to make full use of the gift that God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well.

2 Timothy 1:6, CEV