What about your personal relationship with your leader? In 2 Corinthians 5:16, the apostle Paul says, “Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh.” As an armorbearer, you have a called ministry to serve a general of God’s army. The Old Testament suggests a very close physical relationship between the officer and his armorbearer.

This may be the case in the New Testament too, but such a close personal relationship is not necessary to successfully carry out the responsibilities of the armorbearer. God did not call you to be your leader’s fishing buddy. I was not called to be my pastor’s best friend. We are friends, but that is not our primary relationship.

We should never assume a personal right to know or be a part of our leader’s family or private life:

Be not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men; For better it is that it be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whose eyes have seen you.
(Prov. 25:6-7 AMP)

I will say this, a personal relationship of some kind is inevitable, but the armorbearer’s primary role is not that of personal friend. The armorbearer’s main purpose is to support his leader and to pull down Satan’s strongholds for him and the ministry. Do not get your feelings hurt if you are not asked to have dinner with the leader every Friday night. Your goal is not to get next to the leader, but to get next to Jesus and to do battle in the Spirit for your leader.

• How would you characterize your relationship with your leader? Is it warm emotionally or rather distant and cool? Either way, respecting your leader’s boundaries is important if your leader is to trust you. Never be presumptuous of your leader or take liberties where your relationship is concerned.
• Show proper respect. The manner in which you relate to your leader should always reflect your position as a servant to him. This should hold true for as long as you are his armorbearer, even if your leader confides in you and at times relates to you as a friend.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the relationship my leader and I have. Out of respect for the office he holds, I will relate to him as my superior as long as I serve him. Help me to always show him proper respect and to recognize the boundaries that he has set so that I may honor them. Amen.

Terry Nance

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Terry has served as senior associate minister of a thriving congregation for over 23 years with over 40 years of experience in local church ministry. He is currently the senior pastor of Impact Church in Sherwood, Arkansas. Terry has authored four books. On the bestselling list, these books have motivated thousands of Christians to stand with their leaders in faithful service, helping them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.

Terry is the Founder and President of Focus on the Harvest, Inc. He's traveled extensively, awakening believers to this strategic generation. Through his God-given passion, believers are ignited to discover their gifts and callings, commit to the vision of their local church, and focus on the harvest of souls throughout their city, state, nation, and world.

Terry holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern University, where he met his wife, Kim. They've been married for over 40 years and have three children; McCall, Alex, and McKenna.

In May 2008, Terry and Kim began Impact Church, a dynamic and growing, multicultural body of believers in Sherwood, AR. We believe that Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship. God loves each person individually. He desires everyone to know him personally.