REASONS TO STICK WITH A GOOD PASTOR!
July 13, 2010
Something has been on my heart for some time and I think today is the day to share it. Before I begin to share it I want all to know I am not sharing this because of some situation in our personal ministry. I have served as a pastor for many years and feel as if I can speak for pastors. I also feel I can take on some things better today then I could years ago. I am addressing things I think will help the body of Christ as a whole. I am not attempting to rally folk to myself as much as I am attempting to speak to issues that will help the church. With that said, ever notice that some people seem to enjoy the criticism of pastors? It seems that it is all to natural to commit themselves to finding and exploiting every possible imperfection. It can be very addicting even though it's rotting something in them. If this is done long enough it will only be a matter of time till this attitude will begin to eat away and they will begin to pull away. Relationships and Influence will be lost and spiritual progress will be halted. The enemy (Satan )will enter and manifest the flaws of the pastor and complaints in the soul will eventually become criticisms of the tongue, which Exodus 16:8 explains that the Lord hates murmurings against His earthly authorities. This text teaches that those murmurings were really against the Lord himself who had given them their spiritual leader Moses. Moses was not perfect but he was a loving leader who only thought best for his followers. One who was in a tough position, appointed by God Himself. May I give some thoughts to remember the next time you think it is a good time to focus on your pastors imperfections and pull away. BY THE WAY THIS IS GOOD FOR CHILDREN TO THEIR PARENTS AS WELL AS FRIENDS TO FRIENDS. 1. REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE HE MAKES TO BE IN MINISTRY. Good pastors would be good at a lot of other things, and most of those other things would be easier. The hours would be less and the wages more. He stays in the ministry because he loves the Lord who called him and he loves his people. 2nd Corinthians 12: 15 says, "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." I have to tell you I am not sure that verse can be understood as well with sheep like it can with shepherds. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you catch that truth. "The More He Loves The Less I Be Loved." Love will stick with folk but many times the sheep will not love like that in return, they will resist the one who leads, the one who uses force if need be, the one who tells it like it is. All this in love and the more they love the less they are loved. WOW, that is worth pondering. 2. REMEMBER THE BIBLICAL NURTURE HE PROVIDES FOR YOUR LIFE AND YOUR FAMILY. His study and prayer time have proven effective in the feeding and the nurturing of your spiritual life. He labors in the Word ( sacrificially giving up pleasure times) so that you may be stronger, so you can be ready to take on the enemy and the pressures of the world. Acts 20:20 says, "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you; but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house." Notice he has been prepared to teach and preach, he has been to your home with care and answers when you were in deep need of such. 3.REMEMBER THE QUALITIES THAT CAUSED YOU TO APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP. At some point you voluntarily placed yourself under his leadership and influence. Take some time and think about the good qualities that originally led you to your decision. More often than not the pastor has not changed. He is still ministering and being the believer he was when you first met him. Many times he is closer to the Lord and in many ways doing ministry in an improved way. Yes, that is not always the case but evaluate realities. Choose to stare at the good qualities and glance at the weak ones. 1st Corinthians 13 teaches us ,"Love thinketh no evil and that love covers a multitude of sins." 4. REMEMBER THE VICTORIES HE HAS LED YOU TO IN LIFE. Because of his leadership you've probably had part in many personal and ministry victories. Many are more mature today in the Lord because of the pastor you have had. Delight in those memories and truths. 5. REMEMBER THE SPIRITUAL DECISIONS YOU HAVE MADE BECAUSE OF HIS GODLY INFLUENCE. Because the Lord has used his preaching and teaching. Because the Lord has used his example of life today you may be saved. Maybe you have a marriage still in tact. Perhaps your children are walking with the Lord. Perhaps you have avoided some traps, been spared some bad decisions, and seen some spiritual growth. Take a moment to reflect on those decisions. 6. REMEMBER THAT PLENTY OTHERS ARE CRITICIZING HIM. Any body can be a critic, because everybody is imperfect. Look long enough and you will find fault in everybody. Too many people join the "dark side ." There is nothing virtuous or valiant about finding fault and pointing it out, any unspiritual nitwit can do that. Yes we are to go to those we love and help them overcome their faults but as we point out fault it is always with love and help and pledge that we are there with them to help. Our plan is never to be just to point out wrong and threaten that if they don't fix themselves immediately that we are finished with them. It takes a lot more spiritual maturity and depth to be steadfastly committed to perfect cause with an imperfect church family. Take a look at Galatians 6:1-2. 7. REMEMBER HE'S PROBABLY BEARING BURDENS IN CARE OF THE CHURCH THAT HE CANNOT TELL YOU ABOUT. Out side of our little worlds and sometimes our petty worlds, the pastor is dealing with Big things. And often MANY BIG things all at one time. A man who is thinking about ending his life, a family that is falling apart, a marriage on the brink of destruction or perhaps 6 to 7 at one time. A dying loved one , many sick in the congregation. Labor shortages in the church. Preparation for messages, administration in the church. Personal spiritual attack. A church member facing trial, a child or teen that has been sexually abused. A wife whose husband just left. The list is endless. Add to that he has to fix his sink in the kitchen, he needs to mow his yard, his own children have needs. He can't tell you about it all, often thing's need to stay private and confidential. But it is still there and it is all very real. The enemy comes and says your pastor dosen't love you. He dosen't have time for you. Perhaps we should remember there are others who are in need and perhaps we should remember how often we have been on the receiving end of his help through the years. 8. REMEMBER HE WOULD BE AT YOUR SIDE IF YOU REALLY NEEDED HIM AND YOU LET HIM KNOW OF THE NEED. Yes even the critics are loved by the good pastor. He would and has dropped what he's doing, leave a dinner table, a good nights sleep or change a day off just to be there with you and to care and pray with you. We must remember he is not God, he is not all knowing. You will have to ask for help and you will need to communicate the need. So many get hurt because the good pastor was not there for them and yet they never let him know they needed him. 9. REMEMBER HE WOULD BE STANDING BY YOU IF YOU HAD A HARD TRIAL. He desires to be sitting there with you, weeping with you, praying with you in your difficult time, even if he couldn't know all about the details. But you must let him know you desire his comfort , his company and his compassion. I have so much on my heart concerning this subject. Next time I blog I will add to the reasons why we should stand with our good pastors.
5 COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT
I agree with what you have said....but, do you think all the responsibility lies with the person who is hurting to come to the pastor? I know as a church grows it is harder for a pastor to be "in touch: with every sheep, but do you not think that sometimes it is quite obvious that a person is in need, or is hurting and that a pastor should not have to be told. I just believe that some pastors get so busy builiding a church they don't always have time to maintain their church.
Praise GOD!!!!! I love you Pastor! I hope that you have a blesed day.
So good to read your blog, Pastor and your comments, Carolyn. I think Carolyn is holding up the left arm of Moses. Amen, Carolyn! :) I have been down there with Gary in the HELL topic dated 07.07.10. Please, any reader, go down there and comment on our comments about Hell if you are so led. The more the merrier. Hopefully, Gary will stay with us in Bishir Blog land. On yesterday's blog, I commented about an interesting book I'm reading. It helps me understand the Middle East conflict a little better. God is in the salvation business and He is calling Muslims and all people to receive His free gift. Please pray for Muslims to hear the Gospel and accept Jesus as their Savior. I sincerely look forward to being here with you all each blog day. 'Til we meet again let's "...Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (II Peter 3:18) -CB
Pastor Bishir, why is that way? Why do people like to talk down about others. Most of the time,they don't even have the whole true. But, they talk any way. I believe that everyone should have their eyes on the Lord. Do people hear what their pastor is saying and all the sacrifices he willing makes to be their pastor. I have worked for a church once, years ago, and I have seen some of what goes on in the day of a pastor. I thank God for a pastor that leads, loves, cares for and about his flock. Enough said, Have a good day!
Pastor Bishir, I am an example of your love for God and your congreation. After belonging to a church for 50 years I found myself in need of finding a new church home and I knew God was telling me to go to Liberty. So, one Saturday Andrea and I set out to find Liberty and boy did we take the scenic view because we went out 22 instead of 18! But before the trip was over God took us right by Liberty! That first Sunday I was scared to death but one of the first things I noticed was the love that I felt in that first service. Thereafter was visits, phone calls, and letters welcoming us. As a matter of fact, I still have that first wecoming letter, it meant that much to me. Pastor Bishir, you preach boldly and have a passion for your ministry, please continue to do so. Your boldness comes from your love for God and your desire that no one perishes in Hell. Don't ever stop! You have Andrea and my support and we look forward to our future at Liberty. I pray for all of our Pastors and their families everyday and want to encourage all of you to be stedfast in our Lord. We are blessed to have all of you as our leaders in Christ. Thank you for all that you do! :)
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