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"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
(1 Peter 5:2-3)
Focus with me on these words from 1 Peter 5:3: "entrusted to you". As a pastor and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am reminded again of the solemn responsibility all pastors have to serve God and the church well. God places His pastors exactly where they need to be and in the churches that He calls them to serve. Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." If you are a pastor or minister, please take confidence and joy in the sovereignty of God. He directs your steps and your stops. He puts you where He wants you and directs you to places where He receives the most glory and you are used to the best of your abilities. I serve as the pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church and know that God has put us deep in the heart of Texas! Ashley and I are very grateful for the call of God to serve Him and the people of GHBC. By the way, I do not believe in retirement as a minister of the Gospel and Word of God. Until my dying breath, if there is a group of people who will listen to me preach, then preach I will!
You may serve God as a pastor or staff member, deacon, small group or Sunday school teacher, and you have people that God has "entrusted to you". You serve as their leader, and what a wonderful responsibility and privilege it is to serve in this capacity. Allow me to admonish you and all those who serve in the local church, whether by volunteering or vocationally: shepherd your people well. Feed them the rich nutrients of biblical teaching. Pray for your people. Be available to them and serve them well.
I love pastors and enjoy meeting with them and helping mentor them. Every follower of Jesus is called into ministry. We are called to serve Him in a local church using the gifts He has given us for the glory of God and the edification of the church. And yet there are those whom God calls to serve vocationally as pastors and ministers. If you are one of those men or women whom God has placed this call on your life, allow me to encourage you to pursue that call and begin your preparations immediately. Of all the billions of people on the planet, isn't it amazing that God called you? He chose you to serve and represent Him well. If you believe God is calling you, let your pastor know this great news.
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