Larry Leader’s typical Sunday at church is full and fast. This morning, Larry arrives at All Alike Baptist Church at 9:30 as usual and goes directly to the Pressured Parents’ Sunday school classroom, where he’s the teacher.
Leading by example
But before he can settle into his teacher’s chair, Jay Lowe draws him aside with a prayer request. Jo, Jay’s 7-year-old daughter, is having surgery on Tuesday, and Jay’s a frightened father. Larry listens carefully, takes the 3×5 card that serves as his prayer list out of his dress shirt pocket, and writes Jo’s name at the top. Then he puts his hand on Jay’s shoulder and promises that he and the class will pray for the Lowes this week. When the Pressured Parents gather, the first thing they do is pray for little Jo. Then Lana Love, a big-hearted class member, volunteers to sit with the Lowes at the hospital during the surgery.
The morning’s lesson is the story of parents bringing their children for Jesus’ blessing (Mark 10:13-16). Of all people, Jesus’ own disciples blocked the access of those parents! The pain of what Jesus saw broke his heart. Jesus reminds them that the trusting and curious nature of children makes them perfect models of God’s kingdom. Then Jesus takes the children up into his arms and blesses them. Larry notices the conversation about little Jo’s surgery seems to have paved the way for a candid conversation about faith in action.
After Sunday school, Larry hurries down the hallway toward the worship center. Sam Young flags him down. Sam has decided to take the plunge and begin his own business. He knows Larry’s been down that road too and asks for advice. Larry and Sam decide to meet at Morning Mugs for coffee and conversation early tomorrow.
Hats in the house
Larry settles into his regular seat, the third-pew-from-the-back-on-the-right-side. Somehow, this angle gives him a comfortable view of the gathering congregation and the preacher. As usual, Mrs. Hare sits down in front of Larry and Linda. Suddenly, something’s “off” today. Mrs. Hare is wearing a big hat, and Larry’s favorite views are completely blocked. He’s annoyed. Then Larry slides a foot or so to the left of his normal spot and takes a deep breath. Larry can finally see around that spaceship-shaped hat.
As Larry relaxes, it dawns on him that he’s already worn several hats himself that morning. He walked into the church building with his leader hat on. He’d switched to his caring hat with Jay Lowe, to his teacher hat for the class and then to his mentor hat with Sam Young. Now Larry has his worship hat on.
Larry watches his pastor, Dee Parsons, juggle a variety of hats right before his eyes. In only a matter of minutes, Dee Parsons wears the hats of All Alike’s worship leader, chief prayer, preacher and gospel interpreter, and one who welcomes others to faith in Christ.
Too many hats for one leader
Larry appreciates all the hats his pastor wears. Larry’s benefitted from every one of them himself. As a key church leader, Larry has seen the demands his pastor faces. In fact, Larry admits that he’s probably inadvertently tossed a few extra hats in his pastor’s direction himself. He remembers how generous Dee Parsons has been as his pastor and friend.
Larry especially recalls the night his son, Lonny, made his profession of faith at bedtime. In their excitement that night, Larry, Linda and Lonny went unannounced to the pastor’s home at nearly ten o’clock. Dee Parsons was already in his robe and slippers. But he received them gladly and was as joyful at Lonny’s decision as Larry and Linda had been. It was like they were all members of the same family.
Larry thinks about the sermon text of the day—“the first being last and the last first” (Mark 16:31). Dee Parsons models both first and last, leadership and humility. Larry’s seen the pastor be prophetic and take stands; he’s watched Dee be gracious and apologize for mistakes. He’s thankful his pastor has a strong—but not a big—ego. Larry’s going to work on his own “be-last attitude” a bit more.
Under those hats
As Larry’s walking to the parking lot, a line from an old Oak Ridge Boys song comes to his mind: “Nobody wants to play rhythm guitar behind Jesus, Everybody wants to be the lead singer in the band.” He decides to be more supportive of his pastor and his fellow church leaders. How many rhythm guitar hats are there at All Alike?
Bob Dale ([email protected]) is a leader coach living in Richmond, Va.