Support your Pastor

 

For 45 years I served local churches … in New Jersey, Wyoming, and Massachusetts. Each was unique, with its own culture and preferences and each was a beloved place of ministry. Faces and names from those congregation fill me with so many wonderful memories, causing both tears and laughter. Now retired to a secondary role, there are times when I miss preaching, sharing the joys and sorrows of others, but my season has largely past. Now, I am happy to offer whatever support that I am able to offer from the back rows of the congregation. 

Today I want to do just that by urging you to remember to honor your pastor during Pastor Appreciation Month.

The best pastors know that their calling is not a ‘job.’  It a way of life, one is a Pastor 24 hours of every day, never ‘off duty,’ so to speak. Who they are is inseparable from what they do. Their responsibilities cover a wide range of ‘jobs:’  - the privilege of teaching the Word, of counseling those in need, of baptizing and discipling new converts, correcting and encouraging veteran saints, right down to administering daily ‘business,’ locking the doors, and balancing the church budget.    

A Pastor moves from emotional highs to lows as he shares life – birth and death, grief and celebration – with his flock often all in the same day or week. He is usually the first person called at a time of death and when there is crisis:  marriage difficulty, tragedy, serious illness. He must prepare his heart and mind so that when he speaks he is not only ‘interesting,’ but able to nourish souls. And, he must deliver this  message every Sunday -regardless of his personal circumstances.

I loved the life, feeling the weight of it but knowing it was privileged and high calling! Yes, there is heartbreak. People angry at God sometimes aim their frustration at the person who represents Him before them. Others ‘use’ their pastor in their time of need and discard him when things are blessed. If his imperfect humanity is too visible he may be criticized, and not kindly, at the very moment that he’s struggling to cope with some need in his own life. Pastors whose hearts are true feel the most joy when those they serve are growing in Christ, when they the ‘fruit’ of their work in a life that is pointed in the right direction.

Pastoral ministry is not best modeled after the modern CEO or the Lone Ranger of American lore. His title is the best clue to how he serves – Pastor means ‘shepherd.’

He serves to protect, feed, and grow the flock of God!

So, how can you best support your local Pastor?

1. Pray for him, every day.

Ask the Lord to keep and protect him, to help him to be disciplined and courageous, and to be loving in times of trial, and to stay renewed and alive in the Spirit.  Remember, spiritual leaders are front-line targets. When a pastor fails, there is hurt and disappointment. Even where there is no moral compromise, like all people, pastors become discouraged or disillusioned. So, pray for your Pastor.

2. Accept him and the spiritual gifts God has given to him.

Appreciate the unique strengths of your Pastor and encourage him in those areas where he is not as proficient. He probably knows the gaps in his skills and gifts better than you do. Remember, too, that he does not possess every gift of the Spirit. He, like you, has been created by the Lord to serve in a unique way.

3. If you must criticize him, (and no pastor is above correction or criticism) do it honestly and directly.

If you have an issue with your pastor, make a time to sit with him and tell him about it. The church looks very different from his side of the pulpit and he may not share your perception. Give him the opportunity to explain that decision with which you disagree.  Take time to understand yourself before you criticize your pastor. If you are angry with God, do not take it out on the one in the pulpit.

4. Don’t idolize or idealize him.

He must live what he teaches, but he cannot do it not perfectly. He, like you, is working out his salvation each day, a recipient of God’s grace. If you turn him into idol, you sin because only God is worthy of your worship and devotion. If you idealize him, pushing him onto a pedestal, you will be disappointed. From that place, his ability to serve you is nearly impossible. 

He teaches you best, not from some lofty place far removed, but as leads you with an authentic, observable, living faith in a loving Lord. Jesus cautioned his disciples about seeking titles, about hiding behind robes. (see Matthew 23) We are all brothers in Christ. Don’t try to make your pastor more than he is – a Christian walking with Jesus – just like you.

Remember that the Word teaches that pastors are gifts from God to His church. The Lord “gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, NLT)  What a ministry position description!

Here is a word from the Word. “Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all…. Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?” (Hebrews 13:7, 17 The Message)

“Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” Do not listen to complaints against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him.” (1 Timothy 5:17-19, NLT)

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PS – I used the male pronoun in this essay but God has called and used so many wonderful women in ministry as well.  There is no discrimination in Christ as to the distribution of spiritual gifts or callings.  Remember that!

 

 (Video of this blog at this link)

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Will you finish the race?

 

People who decide to run marathons fascinate me!  The race is a grueling 26.2 miles and requires months of training. At the finish line, runners appear totally spent. Yet, thousands do it and claim to enjoy it. I am told that preparing and running a marathon requires discipline, engagement with a group who offers support, the right kind of choices for diet, and strategy – both in the months of preparation as well as on race day.

How like our Christian experience.  Following Christ is a marathon not a sprint

A ‘hobby faith’ of convenience or a Sunday experience of obligation cannot bring us the deep satisfaction of pleasing God, delighting in His ways, or discovering spiritual maturity. We admire heroes of faith whose lives are examples of making a Kingdom difference in the world. Just as I admire those who run marathons and say, “But, I could never do it,”  there are many who think "I wish I could know that kind of Christianity" but live with a set of priorities reveal a different heart desire. I ‘cannot’ run a marathon, not because of physical limitation, but because I will not make the sacrifices that are necessary.  

A person who will not do the daily disciplines of prayer and meditation, who will not regularly worship, give, who does not engage in service makes maturity of spirit and character that lead to greatness ‘impossible.’  That individual as incapable of doing great things for God as I am to run a marathon today!

In a conversation with a man who has run a couple of marathons, I spoke of my inability to do it. He stopped me mid-sentence and told me that I was wrong. I remember his challenge well. “Jerry, you have to change your way of thinking first, and then prepare your body. It is a mental thing.”  He ought to know!    

 Is there some part of you that wants to know God better, that desires to make His Name great, that wants to experience real fruitfulness in love, joy, and peace?  Then, ask God to give you a goal that's bigger than your present abilities, a vision of the ‘possible.’  Find a group of people who share your desire and who will encourage you in faith. Then, get going! Start small, practicing in prayer, prioritizing the soul’s care until you feel the growth of a mature heart, one that is capable of doing  that thing that you could only dream about before your training began. And remember, at the end of the race, there is a reward that is eternal, that does not tarnish, that no one can eclipse, or take away. "You will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4, NIV)

Real Christianity is an adventure, a high calling, a life of excellence that brings honor to God. When we focus only on the rigors of discipline, without factoring in the reward of spiritual intimacy, it is hard to choose well. God calls us to daily disciplines because He desires to coach us to a mature and complete life, one filled with His Spirit, where the Evil One is defeated, that makes a loving space in a hate filled world, and that causes others to say, "God be praised!" Jesus says it this way:  "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16, NLT)

Have you focused your life around doing the will of God, on finishing the race,  
or are you seeking comfort, the easy way, a spectator rather than a participant?

God urges us to "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God." (Hebrews 6:1, NIV) In short, “Grow up and get on with it!”

Here’s the wisdom of the Word about training. I pray it becomes your daily challenge.  "Train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it." (1 Timothy 4:7-9, NLT)

Together, let’s finish well, for the glory of God!

 (Video of this blog at this link)

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 True Intimacy  (a prayer)

 With all of my heart
I hunger for You
All I want and all I seek
Is true intimacy

With all of my heart
I hunger for You
All I want and all I seek
Is true intimacy with You

 Here I stand waiting Lord
Touch me now like never before
Let me change and be transformed
True intimacy is what I'm longing for

 Intimacy is the longing
Of my heart Lord
Of this heart

 

Eoghan Heaslip

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Full of Self, Dead to the world

On a trip to Israel, I visited both of that nation’s inland bodies of water.  One, the Sea of Galilee, is a sparkling gem, full of life.  The other, 30 miles downstream at the end of the Jordan River, is the aptly name Dead Sea. That lake is a fascinating thing. The water is so full of salts and minerals that nothing can live in it. The surrounding landscape is barren, nothing but desert and crusty salts. So what’s the difference?  The Sea of Galilee receives fresh water from the mountains and overflows into the Jordan river, constantly replenished. The Dead Sea is 1412’ below sea level with no outlet. The only way water leaves that lake is through evaporation which leaves minerals behind.  It is about 10x as salty as the ocean!

Here’s my thought today – are you refreshed, a source of life in your world. 
Do you measure your happiness by what flows into your life or what flows out of it? 

Like the Dead Sea in Israel, if you are not giving to others, sharing love, offering grace;  you will develop toxic levels of selfishness that will choke all life from you.

Generosity is a prime result of the life of the Spirit in you and me.  When we know, by faith, that we are held securely in His Hand, that He will provide us ‘according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus' (Phil. 4.19) we will become a source of living water for family, friends, and our world. Selfishness IS completely antithetical a genuine experience of renewal in the Spirit of God.

We are blessed to be a blessing!   The pithy wisdom of the Proverbs reminds us that "It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT  

The principle of generosity is about much more than our money. It is a way of life that invests in the joys and sorrows of the people around us, that overflows with gentle forgiveness, and that liberally recognizes the individual contribution that others make to the well-being of the whole!

Paul, as he was leaving for Jerusalem where he would face arrest and long imprisonment, reminded the Ephesian Believers: "You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts 20:35 NLT)  Early in his life, he was a man focused on self-improvement, on protecting his own traditions, on gaining power.  Then, he met the Lord and was knocked off his high horse. Grace flowed into his life and Paul opened the spigot to let it flow back out! He gave up everything – comfort, treasure, time, reputation – to take the good news of God’s acceptance to the wide world.

Jesus told us to "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38, NIV)  In context, He is speaking about a generous spirit, one that does not harshly judge others, that is accepting, not condemning Just prior to urging generosity, He says, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37, NIV)

What a word for Christians in our divided nation of 2022! How we need to pray for a heart full of the Living Water of Christ Jesus, overflowing into our harsh, critical, ugly nation with healing and life. 

Practice generosity today!  Give yourself away. Do it in the smallest of ways… letting someone go before you in the checkout line, slowing down for the driver who wants to get into your lane of traffic. Do it in a bigger way… when someone you know falls down, reach out to help them up. When a `juicy tale' falls into your hands, bury it and never repeat it no matter how much fun it might be to share! Write a check to someone in need or better, put some cash in an envelope and give it to them without disclosing the source.  Do it in the biggest way… pray for God's blessings to rest on your worst enemy. 

Pray for them to experience the LOVE of the Father! (and mean it!) 

Here is a word from the Word. It’s familiar, so take care that familiarity does not breed contempt. Read it slowly and prayerfully, asking that the Spirit will bring the full truth to fruitfulness in your life today. "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" (Luke 9:24-25, NLT)

Do not become so full of yourself that you become ‘dead.  Let your life overflow with grace and goodness and God will ‘pour on the blessings in astonishing ways.’

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Satisfied

All my lifelong I had panted

For a draught from some cool spring

That I hoped would quench the burning

Of the thirst I felt within

 

Hallelujah I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved

Jesus satisfies my longings

Thro' His blood I now am saved

 

Feeding on the husks around me

Till my strength was almost gone

Longed my soul for something better

Only still to hunger on

 

Poor I was and sought for riches

Something that would satisfy

But the dust I gathered 'round me

Only mocked my soul's sad cry

 

Well of water ever springing

Bread of life so rich and free

Untold wealth that never faileth

My Redeemer is to me

 

Clara Tear Williams - Public Domain