The message here...
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The message here is: Don't give up! No matter what you may have to suffer, hang in there so that we can be as confident as Paul that there is stored up for us a crown of righteousness. Is Paul just bragging, is he encouraging us, or is he setting an example for all of us who look for the Lord's coming that we will receive the same reward?
As much as I have done in my life as a pastor and missionary, I still hesitate to claim that I have always fought the good fight! I'm retired as a pastor, but I have still not finished the race. Our Lord has given me the opportunity to write these pieces that you are reading. I sincerely hope I have kept the faith. I don't want to brag, and I hope all of you pastors will use your ministry as an example for others and not just an opportunity to tell them all the things you have done for the Lord, though it is tempting and I have to constantly examine my words and actions. As the Bible says, let your actions be observed before men so that God may receive the glory! As Paul closes, "To him be the glory for ever and ever."
When I was in seminary they warned us that in every congregation you served, there will be a good many loyal supporters, but there will always be a group that are waiting for you to leave so a new pastor will come who will listen to them and do what they want done. We should do what Paul says and forgive them.
In my first church I had one fellow I thought was a good friend. I had a family of three kids and the council decided I needed another bathroom in the parsonage. They had a man who would do it right away for a very good price as it was around Christmas and he had little work and he would be busy again in January and the price would have to go up. The one I thought was a friend always held it against me that I agreed with council and they installed the bathroom immediately. My friend said I should have waited until the annual meeting in January and let the people vote on it! That was tradition but could have cost much more. It was a year later that I found out he was still bitter about that decision. Is there any pastor without some similar experience? I have not found a pastor who has served his church for over a year who has not.
God will rescue you from every such attack and bring you safely to his kingdom so don't lose faith in the one who will save you!
Is there any job our members have where they have not had conflict? Even in a marriage! Tell them all to hang in there!
As much as I have done in my life as a pastor and missionary, I still hesitate to claim that I have always fought the good fight! I'm retired as a pastor, but I have still not finished the race. Our Lord has given me the opportunity to write these pieces that you are reading. I sincerely hope I have kept the faith. I don't want to brag, and I hope all of you pastors will use your ministry as an example for others and not just an opportunity to tell them all the things you have done for the Lord, though it is tempting and I have to constantly examine my words and actions. As the Bible says, let your actions be observed before men so that God may receive the glory! As Paul closes, "To him be the glory for ever and ever."
When I was in seminary they warned us that in every congregation you served, there will be a good many loyal supporters, but there will always be a group that are waiting for you to leave so a new pastor will come who will listen to them and do what they want done. We should do what Paul says and forgive them.
In my first church I had one fellow I thought was a good friend. I had a family of three kids and the council decided I needed another bathroom in the parsonage. They had a man who would do it right away for a very good price as it was around Christmas and he had little work and he would be busy again in January and the price would have to go up. The one I thought was a friend always held it against me that I agreed with council and they installed the bathroom immediately. My friend said I should have waited until the annual meeting in January and let the people vote on it! That was tradition but could have cost much more. It was a year later that I found out he was still bitter about that decision. Is there any pastor without some similar experience? I have not found a pastor who has served his church for over a year who has not.
God will rescue you from every such attack and bring you safely to his kingdom so don't lose faith in the one who will save you!
Is there any job our members have where they have not had conflict? Even in a marriage! Tell them all to hang in there!
