Dear Friends,

 “They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.” (Ezekiel 13:6)

Today’s reading from Ezekiel in the Daily Lectionary underscores for us the calling of those who lead in the Body of Christ to guide the people of God in discerning God’s vision for our life and mission together. Not the leader’s vision or personal agenda or preferences, but God’s.

The prophet Jeremiah had some very strong words about false shepherds and godly shepherds, about lying prophets and true prophets. Jeremiah Chapter 23 contains words of encouragement and words of caution for all who serve in leadership among God’s people.

Jeremiah said, 

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD…For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened?...I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.’”  (Jeremiah 23:16, 18, 21) 

These unfaithful leaders spoke their own word, their own vision. They had not sought the Lord, they had not prayed and listened and discerned God’s message.

Jeremiah goes on in verse 22: “But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people…”

Unrighteous leaders are those who set forth a vision from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. Godly leaders are those who stand in what Jeremiah calls the council of the Lord, who spend time in his presence in prayer, seeking to hear his voice and know his will.

And so we read that the prophet Ezekiel echoes Jeremiah but then he goes on to say: No, it’s even worse than that. These false leaders speak words and visions out of their own minds and then they expect God to do what they’ve made up.

Ezekiel 13, verse 6: “They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.”

Ezekiel says that this presumptuous attitude will bring not God’s provision but God’s judgment:

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD’” (13:8).

Ungodly leaders expect God to fulfill their vision! How easy it is for any of us to be just like that: coming up with our own vision, our own plans, and then expecting God to bless it.

I was once asked by a search committee, “please give us a statement of your vision for our church.” I explained what Jeremiah and Ezekiel show us about discerning God’s will, and then, with a smile, I added that I didn’t think God was in the least interested in what my vision was for his church.

I know that my personality is such that I can come up with 12 bright ideas before breakfast. But a Diocese is not called to do what the bishop thinks up, and a congregation is not called to do what its leaders think up. We must never give in to the temptation to lead out of our own imagination. A true and godly leader is one who spends time in the Lord’s presence, to see the Lord’s vision and to hear the Lord’s word. 

Like King Solomon, would you pray for a “wise and discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:12) for yourself and for those who lead your church, that together we may in all things know and do his will.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. John A. M. Guernsey