This week we talked about spiritual authority. The first point was to explore the concept of being a steward...the steward has full authority when the master is away, but always only acts on behalf of the master...
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| Josephine listening intently to Denise |
It is important to remember that a godly spiritual leader never lords their authority over others, but uses their position of leadership to serve others in love.
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| Reading scripture in Swahili from her handout |
Authority is delegated by Christ to His leaders for the purpose of building up other people in the faith...
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| Rachel and Sarah - love the colors! |
Selfishness and pride disqualify a person from being a spiritual leader...they want to be served rather than to serve those entrusted to them...
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| Susan and Consolata |
The Lord is our Shepherd and His stewards (spiritual leaders) must also be shepherds; constantly thinking of the 'sheep' over themselves...
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| Rose |
A good shepherd; must lead with a
willing heart, must lead freely with no
demands for personal or financial gain, must live according to the
will and desires of Christ, must lead by their godly example and not through
force or a domineering spirit.
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| My blackboard with all the words for the blanks! |
After the teaching was a time of questions, comments, sharing...Susan asked how to approach a leader when we can see that they are acting in a selfish or prideful way...
Rose explained we must always begin with prayer. Then, depending on quality of the relationship approach the leader to talk; perhaps starting with a story about someone else so that they can see more objectively the effects of that behavior...
When Josephine translates, she also teaches and exhorts!
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| Elida, Susan and Consolata |
Elida shared that sometimes we may not be aware we have a problem and shared a personal experience of being told she is selfish and prideful...
I am not sure what all she said, but Susan is clearly enjoying the story!
Then Denise wanted to thank the ladies on behalf of her mom...
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| Denise is excited to show her photos to the ladies! |
...by giving them each a photo of her mom holding the fabric that the ladies sent with Denise to the US for her. On the back of each photo is the person "thank you" from Denise's mom to the ladies.
She also gave them each of photo of her grandkids!
Then I handed out goody bags to each lady...
...bags filled with beauty products, cosmetics, perfume...
But - I was one bag short! Sarah and I got a kick out of my little oversight...and Josephine brought me one more bag!
The ladies really enjoyed looking through the bags...
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| Rose |
...and admiring the photos!
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| Rachel |
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| Elida |
Many prayer requests and praise reports this day...
Josephine stopped to sort of "counsel" Elida who is asking for prayer for her grandson who is in second grade in boarding school...he is having behavioral issues that Josephine suspects could be connected to be separated from the mom at such a young age...
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| Dorothy - to the right of Josephine - joined us in time for prayers |
We had a sweet time of prayer to close the meeting...
Linet is still out of town but Susan joined us for the debrief...she is staying very close to Pastor Rose these days!
We spent some time reviewing the meeting; all had good insights...
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| Ugali (made from corn meal), Sukuma wiki (greens) and fried beef - yum! |
...then Denise spent some time training Rose - the topic this week was "Purity of Heart" and "Proud versus Broken People"...the apprentice teachings usually tie in with the weekly teaching - good job Denise!
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| Denise, Susan and Rose |
We are thrilled to have Rose 'back in the game'...she says she still has headaches but just determines to 'take the first step' each day and trust God to give her strength to do that which He has called her to do...she is an amazing lady! and a great inspiration to all of us...
