Hebrews exhorts his readers to obey their leaders and submit to them, “for they are keeping watch over your souls” (Heb. 13:17). What could be a more important and, at the same time, more frightening job description? Leaders in the church (elders in particular) are given the task of making sure those in their charge have a healthy relationship with God. Their calling is not to run an organization or to help people maximize their potential in the world. Rather, their calling is to come beside their
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