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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

 

A new leader?

How to lead a whole country God’s way (2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10)

 

Context

The United Kingdom will know just who is forming their new government following Thursday’s general election.

England will have just played their European Championship quarter final against Switzerland with Gareth Southgate’s leadership under intense scrutiny.

In the US, the supreme court ruled on whether Donald Trump has immunity from prosecution. His supporters continue in their vocal support of his candidacy including many Christians..

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

So we now know who is forming our new government - and whether they have a majority or lead a coalition (you do - I’m writing this the day before votes are cast). Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the lectionary giving us the reading where David is made King the Sunday immediately following a general election (called unexpectedly 6 weeks ago). God knew when the election would be called and who would win the election from before the creation of the world. Rishi Sunak may have thought he was calling a surprise election when he announced it in the rain on 22 May but our God is in control and knows all things.

David was anointed king over all of Israel: his followers and family from the south and those he had been fighting against from the north. Another man might have been filled with pride and arrogance but David, when he hears that the Philistines have come out to attack him, continues to seek God’s advice. He wins the first battle in a direct attack but, before the second, God tells him to circle round and attack from the rear. David is obedient to God and sees two great victories.

• Whoever is now leader of the UK, are they humble enough to seek advice from others?
• Can they approach the same problems the country faces in different ways?
• Can they build relationships with those who formerly opposed them?

In David we see a great leader who retains his reliance on God and achieves great things as a result.

The mood in church may be affected by actions on a football pitch in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening. The leadership of Gareth Southgate has been much questioned in the tournament thus far:

• Is he picking the right players?
• Does he use his substitutes early enough?
• Is he too rigid in his approach?

Whatever the outcome last night, it is clear that his players at this tournament and the three others he has led England through, feel supported and well led. Southgate has worked hard to build a team ethos and to give each player a sense of their value to the group. The link to David being described by the tribal leaders as ‘the Shepherd of Israel’ is clear. Leadership is not about dominating others and forcing your preferences upon them. Biblical leadership is about caring for the whole people and wanting the best for them rather than meeting one’s own needs.

Finally, there are a number of images and memes in the US linking the treatment of Donald Trump to that experienced by Jesus. In our gospel message we see Jesus being rejected by his home town - those who knew him as a child. Both Jesus and David are described as shepherds, caring for those Father God has placed in their charge. Ultimately, leadership is selfless and for the good of the many rather than the leader themselves.

Trump allies himself with Jesus to appeal to his fanbase but his actions appear to this writer to be focussed on his own gain and vanity rather than the good of the American people. 

 

Questions for discussion 

• Who would you identify as being a ‘good’ leader? Why?
• If a good leader listens to different voices, is your voice being heard? By your MP? Through charities you support?
• How are you a leader? At home? At work? At church? What lessons do you take from today’s readings? 

 

Revd Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James Alperton CofE church near Wembley, London. He shares the job with his wife, Ali, and shares his house with their two children, two cats and numerous fish.

 

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

So we have a new government in place. You may not have voted for them but, whoever they are, they have power now to put into action the ideas they talked about over the last few months.

David had fought with King Saul’s sons for quite a while before, in today’s reading, they have come together with all the tribes to appoint him king over the whole country.

In the bible, the king is part of the agreement between God and his people. God will care for and protect them if they in turn will keep his laws and live in a way which is fair and compassionate to others. As king, David has to lead Israel into battle but we see that he makes sure each time to seek God’s advice and follow his direction. As a result, the whole people are kept safe and are able to thrive.

As the new government takes (or retakes) office, let us watch to see whether they care for the whole of the country, whether they listen to God’s voice and let’s pray that God leads them as they lead us for the next four years.

 

Revd Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James Alperton CofE church near Wembley, London. He shares the job with his wife, Ali, and shares his house with their two children, two cats and numerous fish.

 

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