There are some hard things to being a pastor. One of the more frustrating is the lack of contact I have with those who haven't bowed their knee to Christ. Unlike the rest of God's family, most of my time is consumed with ministering to Christians, not working alongisde unbelievers. This is, of course, mostly my own fault for lack of diligence and zeal.
There are some really cool things to being a pastor, too. It's a great blessing when God providentially grants me opportunities to preach the gospel. This has happened twice in the last four days. On Saturday I got to do my first wedding service (!) with a couple who's been worshipping with us for a few months. The vast majority of the people at the wedding weren't believers, and the couple asked specifically that I preach the gospel (who can no to that?). So, after giving them both an exhortation from the Word, I preached the gospel to those there, using the marriage as a picture of Christ & His church and inviting them to be joined to the Righteous One in faith.
Then yesterday we got a call from a local family whose mother/grandmother had just passed away. They were looking for a short, silver-haired man who might have done a funeral for someone they knew many years ago. Well, no one by that description here, so they asked for one of us to come and speak to the family - they didn't have money for a funeral; again, who can pass that up? So, late Tuesday afternoon I headed out to meet and pray with this family. There were about 12-15 people there, two of whom may have been Christians. We talked about grieving and giving thanks for life, then I led them through reflection on their own mortality and need for a Savior - we began in Genesis and ended with the resurrection of Christ.
I was incredibly thankful because being a pastor - something which often closes doors of conversation - in these two instances opened wide the doors of people's hearts. I didn't have to develop a spiritual conversation, because it was already there; I just got invited into the middle of it. If you have space in your prayer time, would you pray for fruit from these two proclamations of the gospel? If you have further time, would you pray that God might continue to open these kinds of opportunities for the gospel?
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison - that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Colossians 4:3,4
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I have prayed for these people to whom you ministered the gospel in hours of joy and grief. I pray that God will open their hearts to reflect on the words you spoke and use them to lead these people to the foot of the cross.
Dick Miller used to tell us he would much rather perform a funeral than a wedding because people were more open to the gospel then. I guess that's because funerals are one way God teaches us the Measure of our Days.
And, may I just say on a very personal note, that knowing how much you love the Lord is one of the purest joys of my life.
that is very cool!
yeah thier actually (i know its hard to belive but) there are some good things about bing a PK (pastors kid) also (isn't that crazy ;))! For enstenc we get to go to a lot of very cool Church's, and ( i never though i would hear my self saying this but..) we get to move to a lot of cool places witch at fist i don't like but normally in the end it all turns out for the better.
Ok well i am on the subject remember at Covie at the JH "camp fier" (witch i did not cry at! really reall like every one says i did but i really didn't i was just like sick becase i had to walk in the rain!! but you know i wonder why i had to do that!?!? heh ;)) and i was saying how i always wanted things to revolv around me, well i am starting (after 12 years) to get used to thier idea that when you are a pk (especialy the next to youngest) things DON'T revolv around you! :) i would like every thing to but they don't! anyway i don't know why i just said that all. heh but when your kids are older i am going to have to talk to them and they will be able to relate. :) Especialy if you guys move some where far away.
Ok well we are kind of on the Subject we got our sponseship approved, but i am guessing sence you where at Prespatery than my dad proububly all ready told every one that! :) well this is getting kind of long and wierd so i better stop. bye ttyl.
ok actually i have a request will you please comment on my blog!becase if you do than i will look good becase i will have a smart guy commenting on my blog! hah. well if you do, do that ( like you arn't aganst it or some thing) than i would be very happy! :) thanks. bye
wow that was kind of long. it was kind of point less also i guess. :)
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