So far, we have covered the first two letters of the acrostic: Spiritual Maturity in Christ and Excellence in Service. In today's blog post, we will cover the "R": Respect for One Another.

"I am not standing and applauding nobody. They put their pants on one leg at a time just like everybody else."

This saying is often used to remind people that their favorite leader, celebrity, etc. is a human being like everyone else and should not be elevated to some superhuman status in our minds. I get that. I do. We can idolize people if we are not careful. 

However, if we look closer, in some cases, what lies beneath this saying is a heart or attitude of disrespect. In our day and age, I have observed that honoring someone (especially someone in leadership) has become a lost virtue. And some would respond, "And for good reason when you consider people or leaders who have failed or fallen into sin." I hear that, and my question would be, "But haven't we all failed or fallen into sin in some form or fashion?" Please don't hear me excusing failure or sin. All I am saying is that you don't throw the baby of honor out just because you may at times have some bad bathwater of failed or sinful leadership. 

At Harvest, we strive to be a people who honor one another. The Bible says that this should be a part of who we are as Christians: "Outdo one another in showing honor" (Romans 12:10b). A loving church is an honoring church. So, whether you are serving above, alongside, or underneath others in ministry, we want to embrace and live out this biblical value of mutual honor or respect. Here are some practical ways of how this looks as we serve together:

1.  Give credit to where credit is due. 
2. Speak truthfully (even when it is hard) and respectfully to one another.
3. Follow instructions, protocols, processes and procedures.
4. Receive, with humility, personal or ministry evaluation, correction, rebuke, or advice/guidance from others.
5. Make room for others to serve.
6. Apologize if we make a mistake that impacts someone.
7. Confess our sin against one another to one another and ask for forgiveness.
8. Accept the apology. Extend forgiveness.
9. Think well of one another, giving one another the benefit of the doubt as much as possible. 
10. Celebrate one another genuinely.
11. Say, "Thank you."
12. Submit to one another:

• Listen to one another (Listen to understand, not simply to respond. Don't assume. Ask.). 
• Yield to one another (You don't always have to speak or go first or speak the most. Yield.). 
• Receive service and care from one another (Not being willing to receive the Holy Spirit-empowered service or care from other believers can be a form of pride.).

There is more that can be said. But you get the point. Let's pray and ask God to help us to have an environment, a culture of honor at Harvest.