P.O.W.s and M.I.A.s

John the Baptist, Peter, Thomas, Simon the sorcerer, John Mark, Epaphroditus, Euodia, Syntyche, Hymenaeus, Phygelus, Hermogenes, Philetus, Demas, Alexander, Trophimus, Onesimus, Diotrephes.

Any of these names ring a bell? Any idea of what they have in common?

Today was our last service of 2007. On my way in to the service, a man gave me the number and story of a young mother who was tragically killed this week - the family that needs emergency care. During the worship, I was approached by another man in the valley of marital death, asking if I would reach out to his wandering wife. In serving as “minister-on-call” this week I’ve talked to various hurting people in our church.

Recently, I was trying to encourage one of our worn out staff members. I made a quick list of the struggles and traps some of his volunteers and flock have fallen in to over the past few months. It was stunning to see how many of the Commandments and Galatians 5 “works of the flesh” they had crossed. Now, this staff member is an excellent leader with a shepherd’s heart [and my “list” didn’t encourage him very much!].

The point is, the larger the flock, the more sheep that can be attacked by wolves, fall in to ditches, and irritate each other. And there are some seasons of ministry that are so full of activity that it is easy to leave some sheep behind.

It has been said the Lord’s army is the only army that shoots its own wounded. I think a sadder truth is that we’re the army that simply leaves the wounded and captured behind. Why? Maybe we don’t want broken people in our church, maybe we’re embarrassed, maybe we’re judgmental, maybe there are just so many new sheep coming in the door we don’t miss the sick ones.

Don’t take it too far – there IS a limit to the time we can spend chasing one wandering sheep. Yes, Jesus is the good shepherd who went out in to the night to find the one lost sheep. But he didn’t abandon the 99 to chase the one continuously. We should err on the side of grace and longsuffering, but the Spirit will have to cue us when its time for us to end the search and rescue on a wayward church member.

The list above? They were wounded and sick sheep, P.O.W.s, M.I.A.s. They were followers of Jesus, church folks that fell behind the others or ran away. They struggled with doubt, fear, failure, extended illness, sin, rebellion, conflict. Some of them made it, some of them didn’t. They were all being hunted by a vicious cowardly lion.

But they all had someone come after them, someone who made a search and rescue attempt, someone who warned them of the danger.

Wouldn’t you want someone to come looking for you if you had fallen behind?

So, I need to pay attention to the injured player list in my flock. I need to watch for the P.O.W.s and M.I.A.s, no matter how large the church or how busy the season.

Who’s on your list?

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [galatians 6:1-2]

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. [1 thessalonians 5:14]