Author: Seaborn

  • Letter #42 (Quicksand)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Old western shows or safari movies sometimes showed someone getting caught in quicksand.  The hero usually was able to save the victim just in time.  However, these videos have created a misconception about quicksand that needs to be corrected. 

         A victim normally won’t sink completely and drown if caught in quicksand.  The body density usually causes a victim to float around the waist or chest level.  Deaths from quicksand, according to a net search I did, rarely occur, and most often a death is caused by succumbing to rising tide waters, dehydration or extreme heat or cold.  Quicksand is not the “death grip” that movies make it out to be.

         Quicksand is very much like temptations that plague everyone, even pastors.  The devil has done all he can to make pastors think their ministries will be destroyed because of succumbing to some temptation.  Satan hunts any pastor he can and tries to deceive the pastor into thinking that improper thoughts, words or actions will result in the complete death of a pastor’s ability to minister.  Essentially, the devil wants us to believe the temptation is terminal, just like quicksand has been depicted as being deadly in and of itself.

         As with quicksand, the giving in to temptation is not the destroyer of ministry.  The destruction can occur if what occurs around the temptation is not addressed.  High tides, dehydration and extreme temperatures are the real killers with quicksand.  In like manner, lack of repentance, self-righteousness and rationalizations are what can kill a pastor’s effectiveness.

         If a pastor yields to temptation and sins, the immediate remedy is repentance.  The pastor must repent, seek God’s forgiveness and recommit to following the path of holiness to which every pastor has been called.  Falling into quicksand requires calm decision-making so one doesn’t fall prey to rising tides or other dangers.  Submitting to temptation and sinning require the same thing.  Failure to repent and seek forgiveness can kill a ministry.

         As with dehydration for a sinking victim, self-righteousness can also harm a pastor’s ministry.  The idea that “this is the first time I’ve done that in my ministry and I can shake it off” simply will not suffice to save a ministry.  The idea that “I know better than to do that, but I’m sure I can control myself next time” is a deception from the devil.  He’s trying to make you think you’re good enough to deal with this yourself.  YOU ARE NOT!! (Yes, I know I yelled.)  The power to overcome future temptations originates in the power of the Holy Spirit, not in you.  Self-righteousness can kill a ministry.

         Extreme temperatures can kill anyone who Is caught without proper supplies or shelter when stuck in quicksand.  The same holds true for rationalizations in connection to a sin committed.  The devil will convince you, if possible, that this temptation is experienced by all in ministry and that you are no different than others who gave in, too.  Satan tells you things like, “You’re like everyone else, so don’t let this get the best of you.”  “Everyone sins occasionally.  You’re normal.”  “No one will find out.”  “This is minor compared to what some others have done.”  He tries to get you to think you don’t need to do anything other than remain quiet about what happened.  Silence in rationalizations when help is needed and available can be deadly.  You need to talk to God first and then seek spiritual direction from those who are part of your own spiritual umbrella of authority.  Rationalizations can kill a ministry.

         Temptation and quicksand are definitely very much alike.  Neither will kill you in and of itself.  It’s what happens after getting stuck that will determine the outcome of falling into temptation or quicksand.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #41 (Handle the Hurt)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         It will happen eventually.  Someone–a board, a committee, a congregational member, a district official, or even a whole organizational group–will eventually subject you to some form of being hurt.  The hurt will come emotionally or possibly even mentally.  I pray it isn’t a physical or, especially, a spiritual hurt.  But it will come at some point in your ministry.

         Something will be said in a meeting that reveals someone’s true contentious intentions of opposition to your ministry.  Someone will openly oppose your guidance because they believe they possess more influence among the flock than you do, and they want their way in a matter to prevail.  Someone will smile at you while talking negatively about you behnd your back.  A life-long member will condemn your preaching or teaching or style of delivery.  Someone may attack your spouse or children.  But the hurt will make its way into your ministry somehow.

         How do you handle the hurt?  What can you do when someone truly offends you through their words or actions?

         Remember that Jesus said to go to the individual, explain how you feel and see if you can resolve the situation.  If you can’t, take one or two witnesses and try again.  If you still are unsuccessful in dealing with the hurt, you are to go to the whole congregation with the situation and seek their guidance and decision. 

         I’ve been doing this thing called ministry a long time, and I do not recall any instance in which His advice was heeded and used to deal with a hurt in which the offense had to be taken to the whole congregation.  When an offense is revealed, it has not had to go beyond the discussion involving witnesses, to my recollection.

         When the hurt arrives, pray first and give the hurt to God.  Then give the Holy Spirit time to deal with the situation before you react.  If it doesn’t resolve, then go to the individual in question and follow Christ’s advice.  Remember to use as much grace, love and mercy that you would want someone to extend to you if the situation were reversed.

         Here’s something to consider—sometimes people offend us and they don’t even realize the offense has occurred.  They’re just being “human” and have no clue they have offended anyone by their words or actions.  It’s very possible that, if you will let them know about the offense, they will honestly apologize and seek your forgiveness.  Give them that opportunity.  Doing so can save a relationship that doesn’t need to be damaged by unresolved hurts.

         You never want to allow an offense to develop bitterness in your soul.  That can destroy a relationship and your ministry.  You have to handle the hurt.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #40 (Be an Encourager)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is the important, absolutely necessary, job of being an encourager to those who attend worship services.  Over twenty years ago I ran across a statistic that startled me.  It stated that by the time a child in this country reaches his/her teen years, the person has heard over 10,000 negative statements directed toward that child.  In other words, a North American teenager has been told he/she is a failure, stupid, condemned and not a benefit to a family or society over 10,000 times.  That is a travesty!

         It’s small wonder that modern teens have identity crises and seek encouragement from any place they can find it.  They are starving for someone to tell them they are loved and valuable.  They are seeking affirmation, and they’ll accept it from any source that is available.  The devil knows this, because he is the one initiating the negative, demeaning statements to try to destroy their self-worth and personal image.  And he is doing his best to provide affirmation in as many wrong places as he can arrange to bring into a life that is seeking acceptance.

         Now, consider this—there are just as many adults who have negative self-images because few, if any, have ever encouraged them in their whole lives.  They have been knocked down by life and constantly see themselves losers with no talents or positive future in sight.  Those adults need as much encouragement as the teens you will encounter.

         Teenagers and adults alike need to be encouraged.  When someone chooses to follow Jesus, repents and is forgiven through the grace of God, that individual brings into the new Christian life all that negativity from the past.  God has forgiven sins and made them a new creation through faith in Jesus, but the devil will use anything from their past he can in order to try to make them think they are still losers, just saved losers.

         This is where your influence as a pastor becomes so valuable.  You can show them changed lives in scripture and in modern life from people you know and how God uses regular people with regular problems to fulfill His work.  You can disciple them and help them to see they are now part of a great kingdom, a great family, a great spiritual nation, of priests, overcomers and saints.  You can help them learn just how important they are to the body of Christ and how much God loves them and will help them become all He wants them to be.  You can guide them into the knowledge that they are winners because of what Jesus has done in them, for them and will do through them as they lean on Him to become more and more like Him every day.

         You can be the person who gives them the opportunity to develop spiritual power in their lives as you disciple them.  You can help them discover their talents and the gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit.  You can be their encourager.

         Celebrate any good thing that comes into the lives of your attenders.  Congratulate them openly when they achieve something.  Send them birthday, anniversary and special occasion cards.  Make a big deal about it when they are baptized or join the youth group or decide to lead a discussion group.  Shake their hand when they enter the building and tell them it’s good to see them.  Talk to them, really listen and respond sincerely when they have questions, especially tough questions.  Build a supportive relationship with them as part of the family of God. (Remember Letters # 10 & 11)

         You can be the person who helps replace the thousands of negative comments in a person’s life with the powerful, encouraging words that come to them through scriptures, testimonies and acts of kindness and love centered in Jesus.  Be an encourager.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #39 (Treasure–2)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         There is a financial “rule of thumb” that deals with living within your means and has been around for a long time.  It states that finances should be arranged in a 10-10-80 ratio.  The idea is that, when it comes to budgeting and managing your treasure (money and other resources), you should give ten percent away (that’s your tithe), save ten percent and live from the remaining eighty percent.

         I understand that in today’s economic environment this rule sounds unreasonable, if not entirely outlandish.  The numbers don’t immediately seem to add up, considering existing incomes.  If a household makes $800 per week, that would mean tithing $80, saving $80 and living on the remaining $640.  If that system is followed for four weeks, you would have given $320 to God’s work, set aside $320 in savings/CD’s/IRA’s etc., and used $2,560 for living expenses.

         Here’s where your use of money is affected by your priorities.  If you will make a list of everything you spend your money on during the four weeks, you will see where it’s going and what you consider important. 

         Consider this example:  Housing/Utilities–$1,000; Vehicles–$750; Groceries–$600.  We’re up to $2,350.  You now have $210 for incidental expenses for the month.  This is a very simple budget, but I feel you get the idea.  That $210 will always be spent on your priorities.

         I remember when Kathy and I were first married.  We both came from working class families that had only one income coming into the household.  We had seen our families live modestly, because they had to do that.  We had realized our families had sacrificed taking care of some of their own needs in order for us to have a “better life.”  That realization became a foundation for our own lives.

         I remember eating out once a month, if that often, while I was working my way through college.  I remember that when Kathy and I married, we had a little over $25 in the bank, and most of that was spent on a dress she could wear as a bride and then wear to work the next week.  I remember the first time I made up my mind that we would tithe and then when we began automatically saving some of my paycheck for a rainy day, and both decisions were made with a degree of doubt that it would work out.

         I remember doing without luxuries.  I remember not buying new cars or trucks—ever.  (We’ve been married almost 52 years, and we have never purchased a brand-new vehicle.)  I remember having one nice suit of clothes for special occasions.  The rest of my closet was for work.  The old work clothes became my “grimy jobs” clothes.

         I understand having to do without.  I understand how there can be more month than money.  I understand working two jobs to pay the bills.  However, that lifestyle in our early years–all the tithing, all the saving, all the doing-without–has paid us dividends that I cannot completely describe except to say God made a way and has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams.  That lifestyle required some sacrifice on our part, sometimes serious sacrifice, but it has paid off in the long run, and, again, I give God the glory for His faithfulness over our years together.

        I challenge you to list all your monthly income and determine how much should be the tithe, how much should be placed into a savings account of some sort and how much you have left.  Then I challenge you to write out your expenses—every single thing you buy on a monthly basis, from your phone to your usual snacks.  Total it all up.  Now subtract the expenses from the 80% of your income.

         Do you have any money left from the 80%?  If you don’t, if you’re sitting with a negative balance, you are spending more than you are making.  If that’s the case, it’s time to take a serious look at your priorities.  Ask yourself what you can reduce or eliminate.  If you decide to reduce something, please do not make that something your tithe.  (Reduce your savings, if absolutely necessary, instead of reducing your tithe.) 

         If you cannot see how you can possibly live within your income, you need to seek counsel from a Christian financial professional.  The road out of financial bondage, debt and continual frustration may be long and require much self-discipline, but it will be worth it.  Your treasure can be a blessing, not a burden, but it will take submitting your lifestyle to God and allowing Him to work in you, for you and through you.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor 

  • Letter #38 (Treasure–1)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 state, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”  Notice that the statement indicates your heart goes where you put your treasure.  In other words, where you invest your finances or other resources will reveal your priorities.

         If you will look at your banking app or your check register or whatever else you use to keep track of how you spend your money, you will see fairly quickly what you consider to be the important things of life. 

         We all know we have basic needs that have to be met—food, shelter, clothing and other needs essential to our existence.  Those are given expenses.  However, if you will look past those items to your expenditures other than those survival needs, you can see where you are prioritizing your spending.  Identify those things.  Then write them down somewhere and take a close look at the list.  These are your priorities.

         Now ask yourself a few questions:  How many of these things are luxuries instead of necessities?  Which items are purchased so I can keep up the appearance of success?  How many duplicates are there that are not essential to my existence?  Am I investing money in things that are satisfying desires and not needs?  How many of these items can I live without? 

         Two final questions:  Can I shift expenditures so I am benefitting others instead of myself?  How can I better use my money to benefit the Kingdom of God?

         If you can honestly answer these questions and make some decisions about how you are investing your money, you will be on track to using your money more efficiently and for better results, not just for yourself, but for the cause of Christ, too.

         Now, allow me to approach one of the controversial topics about money—tithing and free-will offerings.  Are you tithing and generous in your offerings?  If yes, great.  Keep doing that.  If not, start.  There is a definite spiritual principle involved in tithing and giving offerings.  You are demonstrating faith in God’s ability to help you survive on 90% or even less, depending on your offerings.  Remember all your blessings originate in God and His bountiful supply to His children.  The 100% came from Him.  It’s His anyway.  And God looks for our obedience in this area of using our money.  (Remember Malachi’s statements to Israel?)

         If your mind and bank account scream that you can’t make it on less than 100%, don’t listen to them.  If you honestly answer the questions about your spending from above, you should see areas in which you are spending money that does not just need to be spent.  There is a possibility that money should be your tithes and offerings.

         Allow a few examples, if you will.  How many times a week are you eating out instead of cooking at home?  Is lunch in a restaurant or out of a packed lunch from home?  Is the coffee shop one of your stops on the way to work, or are you bringing a thermos with a beverage you brewed for much less money?  How many full outfits of clothes are in your closet?  How often do you change vehicles and start financing all over again?  When was the last time you fixed something, instead of replacing it?  Do I need to continue?

         Please notice something about giving into God’s work—this will require obedience and self-discipline on your part.  It will require you to submit your desires and wants to God, as much as your needs, and to ask Him to show you how you can fulfill His will when it comes to your finances.  Please, please, work out your own giving through His guidance, and avoid the temptation to compare your giving to what others give.  The amount is not the critical aspect here.  The obedience is the important thing.  Obedience to God in giving will be rewarded.  It might not come this week or next month, but the reward will come.  God always honors diligent, persistent obedience to His spiritual principles.

         Another thought on this topic—be sure your people see you put your tithes into the offering plate or box or whatever system you use.  If you’re using all digital offerings and tithes, tell them that you have sent yours in and they can follow suit by making a few clicks, too.  Explain to them how to use the digital giving portal.   If you expect your people to give into the work of God, you need to show you are doing that, too.

         (This is probably enough to consider for this letter.  More about treasure in the next letter.)

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #37 (Talents)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

        (This one is a spiritual exercise as much as it is a letter.)

         Another indicator in determining your priorities is where you invest your talents (skills, abilities, God-given spiritual gifts).  You haven’t just learned knowledge that you can utilize.  You also have innate, natural abilities that come to you from your genetic makeup.  And the Holy Spirit has gifted you with one or more spiritual gifts as described in the New Testament letters.  All these combine to create a long list of talents you possess.

         Here are the questions you know are coming—How are you using your talents?  Where do you invest your knowledge and skills?  Have you shared your spiritual gifts with others to their benefit?

         Take a quick inventory.  What skills do you possess?  What specialized knowledge?  What spiritual gifts?

         Well, what are they?  I challenge you to make a list of what your talents are.  Go ahead.  Make an honest list.  Take a few minutes and write them down.

         Now that you have the list, what talents would you like to add to the list?  Write those down, too.

         How many of these talents are being used to bring glory to Jesus?  How many of them are strengthening the body of Christ?  How many of them are “the better gifts” that are designed to encourage and build up other disciples?

         At this point, it would be good for you to talk to the Holy Spirit and ask to be given the gifts He has available for you because scripture says He will give them out according to His will and His choice.  Then ask Him to help you develop any new gift He decides to give you and any new skill/knowledge He opens the door for you to acquire.

         Look at that list!  You are talented!  You have skills!  You have knowledge!  You have spiritual gifts!

         Use your talents to benefit the Kingdom of God.  If you are using some of them for other reasons than benefitting God’s Kingdom, ask yourself what those reasons are.  Then pray about the reasons that may not be helping others to get closer to God.  Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance if you believe you need to redirect some of your talents.  Ask God to show you how to use your talents best for your own growth, for our family’s future and for the advancement of the body of Christ.

         Remember, you will invest your talents into your priorities.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #36 (Time)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         In the last letter, which covered the topic of Priorities, I dealt with looking at how we invest our time as one of the indicators of what we consider priorities.  Allow me to continue approaching this topic of time and how we use it for a few minutes, with emphasis on one use of time.

         We all know we only have twenty-four hours in a day.  Part of that day must be invested in resting and part of it in eating and taking care of personal physical needs.  The big question about time is, “How do we spend the rest of our time daily?”

         We are exchanging our time for something; that’s why we say we are “spending time” doing that something.  Well, what should we be doing, as compared with what we actually do?  As pastors, how can we most efficiently use our time to fulfill our God-given call and to utilize our God-given talents?

         We usually attempt to block out time for things like visits to congregational members, counseling, Bible study, sermon preparations, administrative duties, and a host of other responsibilities that go along with the written or perceived ministry of being a pastor.  However, I sometimes wonder if there is an aspect of being a pastor that we overlook and simply do not put near the top of the list.  That something is time spent in prayer.

         While conducting a School of Christ International missions training at a Christian campground my wife and I used to manage, Bro. Bert Clendennen had a standing rule for each day of the training.  The prospective missionaries/ministers were required to meet before breakfast daily at a set time and pray for an hour.  The first day one of the ministers attending was about ten minutes late for prayer.  He was reminded of the beginning time.       

         The second day that same individual was late again.  Bro. Clendennen pulled him aside and indicated to him that he needed to pack his things and return home.  Then that wise man of God told the late one that if he could not control himself enough to get up on time and pray for at least an hour before the day started while here in the states where there was no real pressure on him, he would never succeed in the field, because there he would need to pray for a much longer time daily in order to serve in complete dedication and submission to God just to be able to stay alive, depending on the country in which he would serve.

         I’m reminded of how the original apostles had the large group of disciples choose out seven men to take care of the feeding ministry during the beginning days of the church.  They said that would enable them to devote their time to prayer and the ministry of the word.  I often wonder if that would work today.  What if disciples in whom trust could be placed took care of the physical needs of a congregation and the pastors devoted themselves prayer and talking about Jesus?

         My question is this–How much time do we pray daily?  If the answer is a hour, is that enough time?  If the answer is two hours, is that enough time?  

         How much is enough will probably depend on your schedule for the day.  It may depend on how much you expect to be fighting opposition to the teaching of the word in your town.  There are many other things that can influence how much time we spend in prayer.  But the bottom line is, are we praying in proportion to how much we are ministering?  Those original apostles decided to devote themselves to prayer and the word.  I imagine that involved a great deal more prayer than is talked about today.

         I read an article on prayer years ago that made an impression on me.  The writer (whose name I cannot remember for this letter) told his secretary to hold all his calls for two hours because he felt that day deserved at least that much time in prayer before continuing.  She looked at his schedule and saw he had one appointment for counselling that day.  One appointment.

         We know we are admonished in scriptures to pray constantly, in all things, with faith, through the powerful name of Jesus and His authority.  We know Jesus set aside time to pray, sometimes all night.  We know we are to pray with understanding and in the Spirit.  We know prayer matters and that it gets results, and those results can be miraculous. 

         Knowing all these things, we still procrastinate when it comes to the actual activity of praying.  When it comes to time, is prayer a priority for us?

         I challenge you to look at your daily schedule and see if you can determine just how much prayer time you are putting in for the Kingdom of God.  Then ask yourself if you think it is enough.  Perhaps we all can do better in how much time we invest in our prayer life.  I know I can.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #35 (Priorities)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 both state, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also”.  It can also be said that you invest your time and your talents in those things that are important to you.  In other words, you will put your time, skills and money into those areas of life that you consider important enough to require your focus and devotion.  These areas can be referred to as your priorities.

         I don’t watch much television, but I recently happened to see part of a football game that was televised from a large outdoor stadium.  It was snowing and, based on the clothing people were wearing, quite cold.  According to an article from the New York Times from September 5, 2025, the average cost of a ticket to attend such a game is $279. 

         The typical pro game lasts about 3 hours.  That does not include driving time to and from the game or any side trips for meals or the famous tailgating parties.  Attending the game would essentially take the better part of a day and would, all incidental expenditures considered, involve a hefty empty space in each attendee’s wallet.

         Based on the money and time investments, I would venture to say that attending that game was a priority for the people sitting on those snow-covered bleachers. 

         Humor me and allow another example from a situation closer to home, so to speak.  A young couple we know came to worship complaining about not having enough money to repair their malfunctioning HVAC unit.  They talked about how their month seemed to always be more than their paychecks.  I knew the husband had a very nice newer truck, and the wife had her own vehicle, both with payments.  Then the wife said two statements that shed some light on their financial situation.  She first commented that they were going to be short on finances the whole season and did not know where they would get the money to pay all their bills.  Secondly, she revealed they would soon take a trip to a theme park that would cost them over $1,000 for a weekend stay at the park.  She had unintentionally revealed their priorities.

         Please do not misunderstand me.  There is nothing wrong with attending a sporting event or going to a theme park.  I have participated in similar activities.  However, I do understand we all will rationalize our “priorities” from time to time to make ourselves feel good about our expenditures of time, skills and money.  I’ve done that, and I dare think you may have, too.

         Here’s the rub with this priority topic—when we set our priorities, what do we use to establish a standard for setting those priorities?  Where do we draw the line on using our talents?  How much is too much to spend for something not already budgeted?  What is “wasting time” as opposed to “using time wisely?”

         Our priorities will determine the paths we take in life.  When we realize this fact, we should determine if our priorities are lined up with God’s will for our lives.  We must ask ourselves if our priorities demonstrate that we are living according to God’s call to minister to others for His kingdom’s sake.  We must take a serious look at those things we consider to be most important and determine if they coincide with what God says should be most important.

         Serious stuff, right?  Absolutely!  So, where do we turn to find out what God wants us to establish as our priorities?  You know the answers—scriptures and prayer.  But how often do we not go to those sources when we promote things in our lives into the position of being priorities?  How often do we do what we want, instead of seeking God’s guidance on how important something should be in our lives?

         Please do not take this letter as a personal condemnation.  It is a challenge.  Allow me to challenge you to sit down with whatever you use to take notes and begin to list where you spend your money, how you use your skills or talents and where you invest your time.  These three indicators will show you what you consider a priority.  Once you have done the identifying, then prayerfully go to scripture and seek God’s guidance on what you need to keep on the list and what you can reduce or eliminate from the list.  Remember, your priorities will motivate you and influence what you do, where you expend your energies, and how you invest your resources.  Just be sure your priorities agree with what God wants you to consider important.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #34 (Personal Study)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         You probably have taught or preached from 2 Timothy 2:15, that verse in which Paul admonishes Timothy to study scripture so he could confidently instruct others about their meaning.  You may have done special scripture studies with your people for years, even decades.  There’s a possibility you hold one or more Bible studies weekly with those same people.

         I have some questions for you—in all those years of preparing for Bible study with your people, how has your personal Bible study progressed?  Do you even have time set aside each day in which you are not preparing sermons or group studies?  Are you studying the scriptures for your own knowledge, your own confidence, your own understanding?

         Let’s face the reality that our responsibilities as a pastor can interfere with our own personal Bible study.  Knowing we have to be prepared to preach and teach from the pulpit/platform regularly causes us to focus on that one responsibility while neglecting our own growth sometimes.  We want to be prepared with the right message at our main worship service.  We want to make sure our people are being taught sound doctrine regularly.  Therefore, we invest a great deal of time in the preparation needed for fulfilling those responsibilities.  Sometimes, however, that great deal of time uses up so much of our time that we do not study for our own growth.

         I know the Holy Spirit teaches us and preaches to us as we prepare for the sake of others.  And that does help us grow as pastors and teachers.  But that residual learning should inspire us to conduct deeper studies into God’s word for our own sake, not just theirs.

         When was the last time you preached a message and did further personal study on the main idea of that message?  How long has it been since you read through the Bible highlighting passages that seemed to jump off the page while you read?  Have you ever realized you needed to learn more about what God says on a particular topic because that topic is directly related to your own life?  Do you even have a daily devotional time when you ready, study and meditate on God’s word?

         I’m usually awake way before sunrise.  I discovered people don’t call you that early unless there is a serious emergency to be addressed.  That means there is ample time to do Bible reading and study.  One of my Bible apps sends a daily verse that is accompanied by a brief devotion.  Another one sends a passage with a longer, more detailed devotion.  I get a short spiritual reminder from someone I met while working on an intensive Christian weekend a couple of years ago. 

         I read them all, noting their main emphasis and how it applies to my own life.  And I admit I have thought about how they connect to me and prayed after reading them as the Holy Spirit pricked my heart about something.  I need these devotions.  I need these scriptures.  I need this time alone with God for my own growth.  I have learned that when I grow personally, I’m a better disciple of Christ.  And that makes me a better husband, father, grandfather and pastor.

         You may not be awake as early as I am.  But you have just as many hours in a day as I do, and you can carve out some time for personal Bible reading and study.  Your sermon and lesson preparations are good and useful, but they do not always focus on your own life, needs, joys and trials.  I encourage you to establish a personal regular Bible study time if you don’t have one already.  Don’t put this aspect of your spiritual growth off until tomorrow.  Start today.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #33 (Take a Break)

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         We tell our people not to over-do-it.  We tell them to pace themselves.  We tell them there are only twenty-four hours in a day.  We tell them they need to take a break for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.  But do we ever take a break ourselves?

         When was the last time you turned off your phone, sat down on your front porch or in the back yard and did nothing except enjoy God and His nature?  Think about this for a moment—how many times have you seen people sitting in those nice rocking chairs on front porches near where you live?  What about the gazebos in the yards—do you see people relaxing in them on any kind of regular basis?  Pastors are apparently not the only ones who need to stop to take a break regularly.

         I broach this topic out of personal destructive experience from my own ministry.  There were times when I was working so much, talking so much, researching so much and attempting to fulfill all those expectations that exist for people in ministry so much that I never really rested.  Oh, I took an occasional nap, but genuine, stop-everything rest, simply did not occur.

         I don’t know that I can determine the exact day and time that I fully understood the significance of the term “Sabbath.”  I can’t tell you which message I prepared that led me to internalize the importance of rest.  I don’t remember which guest speaker at a ministerial meeting caught my attention about resting.  I just know the Holy Spirit was able to finally impress on me that when God said, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy,” He meant it.

         Remember that Jesus told the pharisees that the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around.  Jesus purposely healed on the Sabbath just to indicate that He was Lord of the Sabbath, as well as any other day.  He also pointed out that David took sacred bread to feed his companions and the priests work making sacrifices in the temple on the Sabbath.  I believe He did that to point out that all the rules and requirements that had been established by traditional teaching had burdened people into not being able to function properly on the day of rest.  In addition to this, Jesus attempted to get the disciples away from the crowds and ministering more than once in order for them to get away for some rest.

         I had to come to grips with the concept that those in ministry, the pastors and spiritual leaders among us, need rest just like everyone else needs it.  I had to finally decide to take a break, not just take a nap.  And that break needed to occur on a regular, weekly basis.  It had to be a “day off” from ministry.

         I understand the pressure of being on-call 24/7.  But I also understand what burn out is.  I also grasp that a tired—no–an exhausted pastor is an ineffective pastor.  A drained pastor, someone who has given and given until there is little left to give, will make mistakes, will not notice spiritual ailments in his flock, will not be as alert and on the defense and offense as is needed to maintain growth in his flock.

         Some pastors I know who have reached the same realization about rest take a day during the week to focus on their personal Sabbath.  Others take a day off occasionally during the month.  Still others take a day off once a quarter.  The ones who do not rest weekly are short-changing themselves, in my opinion.  They’re not actually resting on a sustainable basis.

         Remember that you are not indispensable.  If your congregation collapses because you take a Sabbath’s rest, then you are not leading a church.  You are leading something else completely.  And that something else will not fulfill the call God has placed on your life, because it will demand you take a road that only leads to self-destruction.

         As Jethro might have said to his son-in-law Moses—don’t you have anyone who is wise enough to help you take care of business if you’re not there for one day a week?  Moses needed some relief.  Jesus and the disciples needed some relief.  You need some relief, too.

         Allow me to encourage you to delegate some authority to your leaders while you take a day of rest for your own spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health.  Fight the urge to call them to see if they need you.  Actually set your phone aside.  Observe a Sabbath weekly.  Take a load off your shoulders for a day, and your feet, too.  Take a break!

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor