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The focus of good governance has often been on the leadership – the leaders’ vision, direction and example.  In the context of the church, the ministry is owned by God and belongs to the leaders.  It also belongs to each church member to work alongside the leaders in unity in the Body of Christ.  The account in Nehemiah 3 and 5 reflects two principles for the leaders and the church community working effectively together.

The principle of putting God first
“Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate.  They dedicated it and set its doors in place” (Neh. 3:1).   The Sheep Gate in all probability derived its name from the animals brought through it for sacrifice.  The dedication of this section to God exemplifies the leaders putting God first.  Beyond the mud and cement, it was a dedication of the work of their hands and of their lives to honour God.  The spiritual leadership of high priest and fellow priests set the pace.  This God-honouring attitude catches on as the community works together.

The principle of unity in service
The success of the work completed was to be team work. The team of volunteers was drawn from a wide ranging area, some 25 mile radius, from Jericho, Tekoa Gibeon, Mizpah, Zanoah, Beth Hakkerem, Beth Zur, and Keilah.  They bear witness to the harmony of people from diverse backgrounds: “Next to him …, next to him …, next to him”.  They were exemplary, supportive and edifying partners in the Lord’s ministry.

However, not all was smooth sailing with Nehemiah’s community of workers.  The list does not just reflect eager volunteers.  Tekoa’s leading citizens decided that “their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work”.  In addition to unwillingness, there were worker problems. They had left their fields and families and were in hardship and poverty.  To these people, Nehemiah, as leader, maintained a good example “lending the people money and grain”.  He knew that the officials were exploiting and profiteering but he “did not act like that”.  He did it “out of reverence for God”. 

Throughout history and long after the walls of Jerusalem were completed, destroyed and pulverized again and again, we note that the character of Nehemiah and his band of faithful builders remain etched in God’s Hall of Faith.  Indeed, beyond all labour, through the unity of the faith, and faithfulness in His work, God is at work to bring us to the stature of the fullness of Christ!  Truly – “UNITED WE STAND” – for God!