What Kind of Tone Are You Setting?

We just started studying the book of Philippians - going verse by verse - during our Sunday, 6:45pm evening service.  

After reading Phil 1:1 - Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons -  Pastor Bent mentioned that Paul established the leadership in the church right upfront: bishops and deacons.   

Leaders set the tone of the local church.  If the leader panics then the people will panic. Have you ever been on a turbulent airplane flight?  The flight attendant's calm demeanor helps to keep the passengers and the atmosphere calm and peaceful because, to some degree, we trust his/her experience and training.  The sheep (Believers in Christ attending the church) pull their confidence from the leaders.  In the same way, a wife can draw confidence and strength from a husband who sets a sure and Godly tone.

Recently, we made a change in the way that our church handles the cleaning of our facility.  A wise and mature member said, 'that's a good thing' in response to the change. She was accustomed, from her previous churches, to church members pitching in and cleaning their own church so she saw nothing unusual with this new procedure. Instantly, her words caused a calmness to come over me.  I was able to draw strength from her attitude and perspective.

Our words and behavior can have a strong impact on others.

Are people drawing strength from what you say and do?   

Does your leadership encourage others to become more like Jesus Christ?

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
 in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11