For you are our glory and joy.

Ever wonder how a pastor, elder or overseer views the people God has placed in their care?  Are they brothers and sisters? Co-laborers in Christ? Children to be nourished, trained and protected?  In reality, it all of these and probably some others.  But in reading 1 Thessalonians today, I ran across 2:19-20. "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy." (ESV) One way we as your God-appointed leaders need to view you as our crown of boasting before Jesus.  How does this work?  Well, I'm not entirely sure, but as we pour the gospel and ourselves into your lives and you respond by the grace and mercy of God, you are becoming what God had intended for you and we are becoming what God had intended for us.  Then, when we stand before Christ, He will survey our work of leadership and your response to that leadership and say "Well done, my good and faithful servant".