get to the gates
“Serving others breaks you free from the shackles of self and self-absorption that choke out the joy of living.”
James Hunter
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
If it is to lead, do it diligently.”
Romans 12:6-8
I first came to New York in my early twenties after 9/11 to pray for the city.
Our church in Tennessee was looking to build its prayer ministry, so we came to the Brooklyn Tabernacle for their Tuesday night prayer meeting. I was struck by the power of a praying church and by the power of a faithful pastor building his ministry around prayer. I wanted fresh wind and fresh fire.
This week, almost 25 years later, I had dinner with Jim Cymbala. Seated around the table were many of the Fathers of the body of Christ in New York. Both honored and slightly intimidated, it was a revelation to see these men speak freely about their time leading the city.
There was godly power coming from the table of these Fathers.
Most of the men were in their sixties and seventies, with Pastor Cymbala being 81. In my forties, and having been here for twenty years, I still felt like a freshman in the city. Towards the end of the night, Dr. Marc Rivera, a city statesman, turned to me and said something unexpected:
“This needs to be you at some point. You need to become a city father.”
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One of the great tragedies among men today is the lack of aspiration to lead.
Due to the combination of moral failure, narcissism, and suspicion of institutions, many men have backed away from leadership and lost a vision to serve something beyond their own domain.
So many have calibrated their vision to something smaller and safer, settling for personal success instead of kingdom leadership.
We need a generation of men whose hearts are stirred with holy ambition to lead again.
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There is a lot of debate about the dynamics and qualifications of elders in churches today. Issues like divorce, formal theological education, and gender arise, but one issue is rarely mentioned: the need for ambition.
Paul said to Timothy, “Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.”
Aspiration in Greek means “to set one’s heart on, strive for, desire, long for.”
We need men with vision and aspiration, willing to serve and seek the good of their communities. Like in the days of old, when men gathered at the gates to care for the issues of the city, we need godly men to gather at the gates.
LEADERSHIP AT THE GATES
Proverbs 31:23 says, “Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.”
In the Old Testament, one of the greatest honors for a man was to be an elder at the city gates, a role charged with spiritual and social importance. The gate was where divine law and community values met with the practical affairs of daily life. Elders bridged the sacred and the secular, symbolizing leadership aligned with God's vision for justice, mercy, and prosperity.
We need men to bridge these divides again today.
THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP CITY FATHERS BRING TO THE GATES
Someone is going to shape the future of your community. It will either be activists, corporations, secular elites, power-hungry politicians, incompetent snoozers, or you.
But what influence are we called to bring as Elders and Fathers in the community?
Wisdom and Integrity
Elders at the gates were known for upholding God’s justice and walking in integrity. In a time when truth is often twisted and character compromised, we need leaders who reflect God’s moral clarity, make decisions anchored in righteousness, and live in a way that others can trust.
Public Accountability
In the ancient world, decisions made at the gate were visible to all. It was a place of open deliberation, not hidden manipulation. Today’s leaders must embrace that same posture, leading with transparency, inviting scrutiny, and stewarding influence with humility and honesty.
Guardians of Justice and Mercy
The gate was a place where the vulnerable came to plead their cause. Elders were charged with protecting the weak and ensuring fairness. Modern Fathers must step into this same role: confronting injustice, refusing to be silent in the face of oppression, and embodying both courage and compassion.
Promoting Community Flourishing
Elders helped shape the moral and spiritual health of the city. They were not just legal authorities; they were builders of peace and prosperity. Leaders today must ask, “What does it look like to steward power not for personal gain, but for the good of those entrusted to my care?”
Intergenerational Influence
Wisdom at the gate was passed down through example and mentorship. Elders trained the next generation not only through instruction but also through imitation. We, too, must live in a way worth imitating, investing in those coming behind us and multiplying our impact through intentional guidance.
GET TO THE GATES
We need men who want to get to the gate; those who aspire to be leaders of conviction and compassion, who model integrity and wisdom in a world of corruption and foolishness.
Gentlemen, we need to get our act together and we need to get to the gate.
WORTHY OF IMITATION
Mike Tafoya was the first elder ever installed in our church nearly 20 years ago. Once wild and lost, everything changed when he met Jesus. He went on to live with integrity, become a doctor to serve the broken, raise three godly children, and earn deep respect from our community.
I will never forget what he said at his Elder installation service.
“Jesus has brought me a long way. I have come from generational dysfunction, made it through medical school, and accomplished a lot compared to where I have come from. But there was one honor I always hoped that God would grant. That I would live with such faithfulness to Jesus that others would want to be under my influence as a godly man. That this community believes that about me is the greatest honor of my life.”
Men, we should all aspire to honor like this. That we would walk with God in such a way that others would seek to learn from us. That there would be something astonishing about us because we have been with Jesus. That our lives would be worthy of imitation because of how we follow Christ.
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Leadership in the way of Jesus isn’t about leveraging a platform for gain; it’s seeking power for the good of others. We need men to lead like this again.
We need Fathers. We need Elders. We need godly men at the gates.
Robert Bly reminds us, “A boy cannot become a man without the active intervention of older men.” I believe it’s time for such an active intervention right now.
If you have seen the latest Barna research on the rise of faith, one trend stands out to me: the growing faith of men. Faith among Millennial men is up 19 points, and among Gen Z men, it is up 15 points.
Who is going to disciple them?
Who is going to serve them?
Who is going to make sure their energy is shaped for Kingdom good and not secularism or the self?
The answer? We are. We are going to be the Fathers that the moment needs.
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Later that night, as I walked back to my apartment in Midtown Manhattan, I walked past Times Square Church. David Wilkerson, the founding Pastor, was a Father in the body of Christ, but he is gone now.
He has left a legacy, but also a void.
As I crossed the street in the glow of the lights from Times Square, those words from Dr Mark Rivera came back to me.
“You need to be a city Father.”
Not a tyrant, not an influencer, but a servant.
A man with vision that transcends the boundaries of his own concerns.
As I said my evening prayers, I felt something rise in my heart.
Godly aspiration.
A desire to get to the gate. To love, to serve, to fight for, and to care for the people of this city. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. I want to weep for New York.
Praying God gives you tears for your community, and a vision to be a father at the gate.
Cheers.
Jon.
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Discussion Questions:
What internal fear, past wound, or cultural narrative has convinced you that you’re not ready, or worthy, to lead with conviction and purpose?
If a younger man were quietly watching your life, what would he learn about how a godly man carries responsibility, handles pressure, and honors Christ? Be specific.
Where do you feel a persistent pull toward something greater than yourself, and could that stirring be the voice of God awakening holy ambition? How can you discern the difference between worldly ambition and holy ambition?
If your current way of living were multiplied into a legacy, what kind of spiritual inheritance would you leave behind for your family, church, and city?
Who are the “Fathers” in your community, and where are the modern “gates”? Take a moment to thank a father who has been faithful in your community this week and ask God for a specific picture of what you can do to serve your community.
