The sons of Korah comprised a praise choir, established by King David. They wrote the famous words, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season”.
I got to thinking how relevant that was. Were they choosing the least of all kingdom roles? Were they demeaning themselves? Were they accepting the worst that the Kingdom of God could offer in exchange for the best that a corrupt world could offer?
Well let’s think about what it means to be a gatekeeper as that may inform our response.
A gatekeeper defends his city … should a good leader not defend kingdom values, the integrity of a kingdom culture, the authority of God’s word and the deity of Christ?
A gatekeeper enables the city to do what it does best … the way that good leaders enable followers to find their own rhythms and fulfill their own callings, because they should be able to do what needs to be done, better than the leader can do. Thus a good leader should preserve the framework or context that maximizes organizational effectiveness.
A gatekeeper patrols the boundaries … the way a leader should define the patterns and doctrinal parameters of the church. People need such clarity, lest they go astray, but a church with good ground-rules is inevitably also a contented, fulfilled church.
A gatekeeper mans the gates … the way a good leader should decide which influences flow into church life and which expressions flow back into the world. He also wards off distractions that will cause a group to deviate from its primary goals, whilst protecting the team from undue pressures and demands from outside.
A gatekeeper is vigilant, watching for trouble … the way any good leader should be astute and perceptive enough to see coming threats and the impact of what is happening beyond the walls.
A gatekeeper regulates who comes and goes … the way a good leader should regulate and not impose. Regulation is merely about making relevant adjustments to the rate of flow or to the degrees of emphasis in the church. Managers direct, but leaders manage exceptions, without imposing their own character on what is, after all, the image of Christ.
A gatekeeper is first to arms … they rotate their watches day and night and are always in the line of attack, just as any good leader must be willing to ultimately risk all, including their popularity, position or life, for the sheep.
A gatekeeper never sleeps … unlike the time when I was caught sleeping on guard duty. Good leaders are also ever alert to what is happening, what God is doing and how the church is being influenced by the parade of life.
So, with just a few ideas I have sketched something that casts gate-keeping into a very noble role. Now I ask … would you a gatekeeper be? Or do you think a directive approach to leadership still has relevance?
(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net
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