My Pastor Friends

Today I will have the great blessing of gathering together with several of my pastor friends. Every two weeks we meet together for fellowship, discussion, equipping each other, prayer and a meal. It is so refreshing to be with these brothers in Christ. I know that they feel the same way. It is also a blessing to know that we are not in competition with each other; we are on the same team, serve the same King, have the same goals and yet are all different men, in different churches, with different ministries.

We are reading through Pastoral Ministry by Dr. John MacArthur and the Master's Seminary Faculty. The content is rich, challenging and soul-stirring. Here is a powerful section that is quoted from Richard Baxter's book The Reformed Pastor.

"Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine, and lest you lay such stumbling-blocks before the blind, as may be the occasion of their ruin; lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hinderers of the success of your own labours. It much hindereth our work, when other men are all the week long contradicting to poor people in private, that which we have been speaking to the from the Word of God in public, because we cannot be at hand to expose their folly; but it will much more hinder your work, if you contradict yourselves, and if your actions give your tongue the lie, and if you build up an hour or two with your mouths, and all the week after pull down with your hands! This is the way to make men think  that the Word of God is but an idle tale, and to make preaching seem no better than prating. He that means as he speaks, will surely do as he speaks. One proud, surly, lordy word, one needless contention, one covetous action, may cut the throat of many a sermon, and blast the fruit of all that  you have been doing..." (Pastoral Ministry, p. 19-20)

 That is great advice for pastors and for all who profess to know the Lord. We all are to take heed to ourselves. Our example should reflect our doctrine. The words of our lips should be supported by the ways of our life.

Pray for me and my pastor brothers that we will continue to live and learn and grow in our walk and work to which the Lord has called us.

Grateful for the call AND companions in the pastorate,
Pastor Mike