In law practice, there is something called the ‘second
chair.’ This person accompanies the lead
attorney to a deposition or court room but sits silently. He is expected to
know the case, to be familiar with the documents and issues at hand, and to
offer support as necessary, without overshadowing. It appears to be a passive
role, but in reality, the second chair is there to monitor the details, to
gather information as a second set of eyes, to catch the things that might slip
by the one who is actively in charge of the case. Just about every person in that ‘second chair’
probably hopes one day to become the lead, to gain partnership, or perhaps
to have her own practice. No one, however,
should under-estimate the value and importance of those who sit in the second
chair.
In Colossians, Paul writes to a church that is being tested
by ‘fake news preachers’ and those who would turn the Gospel of Christ into an
empty philosophy of life. As far as we know, Paul was never in Colosse. This letter is different than the others in
that it is addressed to a church he had not founded. He references a ‘second
chair’ person – Epaphras. His name only appears three times in the New
Testament, twice in this letter, and once in Philemon. We know nothing about
him except that he was a fellow prisoner with
Paul and the founder of the Colossian fellowship. The Gospel is "as vigorous in you now as when you learned it from our friend and
close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for Christ! I could always
depend on him." (Colossians 1:7, The Message)
Paul’s renowned ministry included many ‘second chairs;’ Barnabas,
Silas, Timothy, and Epaphras among them. There is also the infamous Demas,
another obscure individual who worked alongside of Paul, but at the critical
moment, abandoned him earning this timeless memorial-"Demas has deserted me
because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica."
(2 Timothy 4:10, NLT)
How well do you work in the second chair?
Are you willing to do your best without recognition, without
title, without a place on the letterhead?
A good leader knows that those who surround him are critical
and, like Paul, shares real and affirming praise. But still, those who work
from the second chair are eclipsed, usually silent, and mostly invisible. If a
person craves glory, or wants to make a name for himself, that position can be terribly
difficult. It is a doubly sad thing to work from that place for a person who fails
to value the contribution and who takes credit for the work,, failing to share,
even in private, a word of appreciation.
Too often in conversation people refer to Faith Discovery
Church, which I am privileged to serve, as ‘your church.’ Because I have a visible role at the front
each Sunday, it is easy to assume that FDC is mine. But, how wrong that
is. Like every Christian church, FDC is
first a fellowship headed by Christ Jesus.
The work of our congregation is mostly done by others, those in
so-called ‘second chairs’ who teach, sing, play, pray, give, care, and organize
– in positions that are critical to the full work of the church. I am deeply grateful for each one and
hopefully, as appropriately as I am able, share thankfulness and affirmation
for service well done. The wonderful
fact is that no one is forgotten by God!
He sees, knows, and will reward ALL for faithfulness.
Sitting in a second chair? Serve well, for Christ. The
eternal rewards will be rich even if the temporal ones are not so great.
Here is a word from the Word, spoken to the disciples who
were fighting over their individual importance. "So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said,
“You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a
little power goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you.
Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first
among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to
serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many
who are held hostage.” (Matthew
20:25-28, The Message)
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