the apostle Paul on knowledge vs. love:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-3
it is not enough to have good doctrine. it’s not enough to know your bible forwards and back, to have a masters degree from seminary or have written a multitude of books. it’s not enough to be gifted spiritually.
without love–God’s love, the kind of love modeled by Jesus–it’s all meaningless.
it’s not enough to be right. without love, you’re wrong.
Jesus on leadership:
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:12-17
the apostle Peter on leadership:
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock… I Peter 5:2-3
the apostle Paul on leadership:
For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. I Titus 1:7-9
God’s warning to leaders that mistreat his people:
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1-2
Notes From the Well 
Every one who claims the Name of Jesus, should know these verses. Certainly, every one who calls themselves “Pastor” should have them memorized.
Very few can handle authority; therefore, most who have it, abuse it. God help us. Pride follows hard after us like a dog nipping at our heel.
May we seek to love others as Jesus did. Instead of seeking to be the greatest in the Kingdom, may we seek to be servants, just as Jesus, the Servant of all.
Thanks for another great post. I have been following your writing and story for a while (lurker alert, lol) and I so appreciate what you (and your dad) bring to the table when it comes to mental illness and christian faith.
super! so happy you de-lurked. 🙂 glad to know that someone’s reading other than my dad. i’m trying to post more often, too! 🙂
Thanks, my hubby reads too. He met u over on PP. I like your dad too, because he makes me feel less alone.
who is your hubby? and my dad makes me feel less alone, too. and you do! by reading and commenting. sometimes, it feels like i’m all alone, seeing what’s wrong, feeling like what’s happening in a lot of churches every week doesn’t seem much like the real church is supposed to be…it can be pretty isolating.
but i’m so encouraged by the people i’ve met online who see it, too. who want more and believe that Jesus wants it too! what a revelation. 🙂
On PP he is Dewd4Jesus, aka, Scott. He has bipolar and we have lived with it together for the last 20+ years. But we cope the best we can and try to navigate through the sea of life in it.