By DANNY MINTON

Chalaza: It’s the Greek word translated as “hailstone.”

We’ve all seen one, and we could guess how it gets its name by how it looks. But the only time we’ve ever seen it is in its destroyed state. We see it only after its intended purpose remains marred by tragedy.

Want to see one?

Go open your refrigerator and take out an egg. The egg has a shell that surrounds the white and egg yolk. The shell represents leadership designed to protect the church or the egg yolk. The church is surrounded by the egg white, representing the Word, encouragement, love, faith, and things that leadership can help build on to protect the yolk.

Inside the shell on each end, a small series of strands connects the shell’s membrane to the egg yolk. These strands are called the Chalaza. They are located on each end and keep the yolk suspended in the middle of the egg white to keep it safe and secure. The egg can be moved around, but the Chalaza, which represents the strength of the leadership, remains strong and holds the yolk suspended in the safety of God’s truths. In time they will twist around, become thicker and yet remain steadfast.

When the leadership becomes weak, it hurts those it tries to protect. When the shell breaks open, it destroys the safety that protects the yolk, and the Chalaza breaks, leaving the yolk vulnerable to being damaged and destroyed. When you crack open an egg and see that little white “hailstone” near the yolk, that’s the remnant of a once strong Chalaza that held the yolk in safety.

Churches need strong leadership, willing to stand up to the darts of Satan as he attacks what God desires of the world. A church with strong leadership has a thread that keeps it safe and secure, surrounded and encased in the truths of God.

The ways of the world want to pull us away from God. At every turn, Satan shows his ugly face throwing darts attempting to break the shell, damaging the lives of people who God loves. As church leaders work together facing Satan, we may twist and turn, but they must never break.

If the leadership remains strong, the church, in turn, will remain protected.

Ephesians 6:10-12 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Danny Minton is Pastoral Minister and Elder at Southern Hills Church of Christ