Dear pastor,
I have a confession to make. There are many times that I get all topsy-turvy regarding my value and worth as a pastor. Don’t get me wrong here, God has helped me to know that my personal identity is in Him and Him alone, but sometimes I have thought that my only value or worth as a pastor is that which I accomplish. I sometimes gauge my significance as a pastor by what can be measured regarding my contribution to the lives of people and the churches I lead.
And yet that really is not the call God has placed upon his pastors. Instead, God has called you and me to be faithful. He has called us to fearlessly declare His gospel. God has called us to walk in His love and invite others to do the same. And really the only measure of our importance or significance as a pastor or missionary is not what accomplishments can be listed on our resumes or recognized and rewarded by our fellow man. Instead, God is showing me that the most important and truly the only significant measure of our pastoring is whether we have been obedient. Not perfect, not successful by the worlds measures or standards, not applauded by our boards and congregations.
As pastors, we must remember that what matters is faithfully representing Him. Likely many more people will reject our message and push us away than those who welcome us and our message. There is an increasing likelihood that criticism, rejection and even persecution will come upon God’s prophets. But for the sake of His name and for the sake of the lost and dying, we must keep on declaring the glorious news of His amazing love and grace. Let us not concern ourselves with how successful our pastoring is and instead pour ourselves out for His glory and their salvation. God will watch over the rest.
Fellow-minister and brother/sister in the Lord, thank you for being faithful to God’s call. Thank you for planting the seed and watering it and letting God make it grow.
Christ is for us, with us and Christ is in us!
Mike J
Pastor Michael Johnson 