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This month's feature article "Humility Comes Before Honor" is our 2007 Readers Favorite. It was written to inspire you as Pastors, Leaders and support teams to walk in greater humility towards God and each other. Don't forget to surf by our regular Readers' Favorite column below 'The Ministry of Details.'

Additionally, Varn and I encourage an armorbearer wondering about serving a leader that's not a pastor in the Featured Armorbearer Question (FAQ) column this month.

Have a faith filled month! May God's richest blessings continue to rest upon you, your family and ministry throughout the year 2008.

Helping leaders and supporters build
strong teams in the local church,
Varn and Earma Brown

2007 Readers Favorite Article
Humility Comes Before Honor

...Have you noticed as sure as 'pride comes before a fall' – humility comes before honor? Before your next promotion, you can be sure an opportunity to show humility will come. We all know God resists the proud but he draws near the humble in heart. Yet many of us miss the mark because we seek to be great. When we need only humble ourselves and God will handle the GREAT part.

The Word of God says to humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. (1 Pe. 5:6) This means we don't have to pray, "Lord make me humble" anymore. It's our responsibility to humble ourselves.

Even so, I am not saying God doesn't participate in making us humble. You might remember when Moses explained the wilderness experience to the Israelites in Deut. 8:2-18 para., "…remember the Lord your God led you all these years in the wilderness to humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not…" Any mature Christian will tell you, after Father God gets through disciplining us – pride is gone.

Let me give you an analogy of refining metal to illustrate how He sometimes participates in cultivating humility in our life. In refining silver or gold, the metal is put through intense heat, more than several times to remove dross and impurities.

Each time, the gold or silver comes out improved, more clear and precise. To grow in humility we must cooperate with (trust) God. We must yield to his seasons of intense heat. Practice humility. Each time we exercise humility, we grow. To keep growing in the attitude of humility:

Keep a good attitude. Your attitude is key to walking in humility. Remember the Psalmist prayed, "God create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit (attitude.) Ps. 51:10. Pride can't easily sneak up on you when you maintain a good attitude. A good attitude even positions you for God's promotion...

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Featured Armorbearer Question: Armorbearing Leader that's not a Pastor?

Question: I have a question concerning armorbearing. There is a lady that goes my church, she is not the pastor but she is a role model to many women even myself. Sometimes she teaches at church or at women's retreat. As time went on she and I became close in our relationship. I found myself constantly interceding for her and just doing whatever I can to lend a helping hand. It was and still is a pleasure to do what I can to assist her. She has always said that she appreciates me…Many times I have been offended by either her actions or words and I constantly promise myself that I am going to walk away from this relationship/friendship, but there is something that tugs me towards her.

Just recently it was bought to my attention that I treat her as if I am her armorbearer, just by the way I serve her. This person came to me and told me she observed me and this lady and saw that I served her wholeheartedly...I guess my question to you: is it true that we can be an Armorbearer to someone that is not a pastor? Thank You, Z

Response: Thank you for your question. We commend you for answering the Holy Spirit's call to service.

Varn: Varn: The lady you described sounds like an authority in your church, which is very important. You can operate in the spirit of armorbearing by helping a person (in authority) and not have to carry the title armor bearer. But I do recommend the leader is worthy (faithful in their local church, submitted to authority of church). I also recommend that you read our book "In the Spirit of Armorbearing". It deals with some of the questions you are asking, like what happens when you begin to get to know your leader. When you become close to your leader and serve them like you do it creates intimacy and that creates in-to-me-see faster, which sometimes can feel uncomfortable. So stay obedient, don't move, or let your feelings be hurt. Remember you are an armorbearer.

Earma: I agree, I commend you for serving and helping your leader. Make sure it's what your leader really wants though. It sounds like you are right in the middle of God's will. There's one thing I might caution you about, when you are serving and helping God's leader in faith, our enemy will oppose you. Sometimes he sees the big picture better than we do ourselves. He will attempt to get you distracted and displaced.

So I agree with Varn, we encourage you to educate yourself about the ministry of armorbearing. And most of all increase your level of prayer and Bible reading/study. This way you can effectively serve your leader and gain victory over every one of the devil's attempts to move you...

Helping Leaders and Supporters in the Local Church,
Varn and Earma Brown

*Names and/or location may be changed to protect privacy.

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Readers Favorite: Ministry of Details

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. –1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV.

The ministry gifts such as apostles, prophets, evangelist, teachers, and pastors receive much acclaim and recognition, as it should be. The Body of Christ needs every office set in the Church by God. However, there is a ministry not mentioned as much also set in the Body by our Lord. That is the ministry of helps. There is an important place for the minister of helps.

How would the church manage without the hands that help with the details? When something practical needs to be done, a person anointed to help steps in and sees to it that the job is completed. God is practical and good and so are they that help.2 The behind-the-scene jobs in the church often go unrecognized. Yet the humble tasks are the ones we benefit from the most.

There are faithful people who maintain the grounds, clean our church, make repairs, do plumbing, assist with the administration, type bulletins, usher, greet, watch babies, make sure the sound and electronics work smoothly, make snacks and food for the church, do dishes or simply help with the details. Praise God for those serving in the ministry of helps.

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