Rev. Doug Nicely, pastor of Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Corinthians 4.

“Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” Paul’s sarcastic and almost threatening language in chapter 4 may seem un-apostle-like, but Paul speaks to the Corinthians with the familiarity and intimacy of a father to his children. And a good parent calls out their child’s shameful behavior—not so that they would perpetually feel “ashamed, but to admonish” them and save them from “countless” false guides. But parenthood isn’t glamorous, at times even full of “refuse.” That’s how the humble yet authoritative “bottom-up” leadership of the church operates. How do we evaluate the leadership of our pastors? “Do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes.”

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