23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Joshua 3:7-17

Psalm 43

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Matthew 23:1-12

lectionary:

Season of ordinary time, Year a

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords (6)

Scripture (7)

Date Added

Sep 28, 2023

Preaching Commentary

If religion is to be true, its leadership must be true.
—Frederick Dale Bruner [1]

Humble Leadership

Whenever Anthony Bloom, a former bishop and archbishop serving in London, would teach, he would begin with this: “As I am a beginner myself, I will assume that you are also beginners, and we will try to begin together.” The humility in this statement speaks, I would argue, to exactly the kind of leader Jesus desires for his Church. Matthew 23 at its heart is a warning against the kind of leaders Jesus saw amongst the Pharisees of his day. That is, leaders who built themselves up, rather than the god they supposedly worshipped. And while Jesus is clearly here…

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Lectionary Cycles

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Founder and Executive Director, The Pastor's Workshop

Stuart is an ordained Presbyterian pastor and the founder and lead curator of The Pastor’s Workshop, a resource dedicated to equipping church leaders for effective ministry. Rooted in the vision of Ephesians 4, his greatest passion is empowering the saints for the work of the church. Stuart loves preaching, teaching, and helping congregations discover what it means to follow Jesus faithfully in the complexities of the 21st century.

Having grown up in diverse regions such as Boston, New York, Connecticut, and Southern California, Stuart brings a broad perspective to his ministry. He has served churches in various roles across California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Washington, enriching his understanding of ministry in different contexts.

Stuart is married to Colleen, who works as a Spiritual Formation Lead at Compassion International in Colorado Springs. Together, they have two children whom they cherish deeply.

In his free time, Stuart enjoys gardening, golf, diving into a good book, and rooting for his favorite baseball and basketball teams.

If you’re interested in inviting Stuart to speak at your conference, retreat, or event, please reach out to The Pastor’s Workshop for more details. His blend of wisdom, warmth, and practical insight will be a blessing to your gathering.