Tag: calling

  • Letter #56 (The Body’s Members–3)

    Dear Small Church Congregation,

         When you are born again, you become part of the overall body of Christ, the body which makes up the church Jesus is building.  As part of that body, you have been chosen by God, called through the drawing of the Holy Spirit and given a new spiritual birth through the cleansing, creative power of the blood of Jesus.  The same Holy Spirit that drew you to Christ also places in you gifts, talents and anointings that are to be used to bring glory to the name of Jesus.

         God doesn’t bring salvation into a life and stop working in that life.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God gives you the abilities and opportunities to expand your ability to bring Jesus glory through what you do and say.  That doing and saying is where the gifts, talents and anointings come in.

         Some people are given special skills that develop into ministries that include being an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher so the overall body of Christ can be built up, developed and empowered to go into the world and share the good news about Jesus.  Others are given special abilities to give generously, to administrate and direct others, to sing, to speak God’s message to others through unlearned languages or interpretations of those languages, to bring healing to the sick, to be encouragers for the hurting, to perform miracles in unusual circumstances, or to do any other number of activities as directed and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

         Let me make something clear at this point in this letter.  No gift given by the Holy Spirit to a member of the body is more important than any other gift.  Our physical bodies operate properly when all the parts operate properly.  The lungs need the nose for the flow of oxygen.  The stomach needs the teeth for properly chewed food.  The eyes need the eyelids.  Each part, regardless of how small, is important.

         This same concept holds true for the body of Christ in the local congregation.  Each member operating properly adds to the proper operation of the whole congregation.  The person who cleans the front sidewalk after mowing the grass is just as important as the one who prepares the music selections for a service.  The intercessory prayer group leader is just as important as the pastor.  They have different responsibilities, but they all are needed for the congregation to fulfill its calling in its community.

         Another reminder at this juncture—All of these gifts, talents and anointings come from God’s Holy Spirit that is in complete agreement with God the Father and God the Son.  The Holy Spirit has other responsibilities, but He is the one who gives individual disciples these gifts as He chooses.  Men do not give these gifts to other men or women.  They come from God and are to be used to bring glory to God as the members of Christ’s body fulfill their individual callings.

         As each member becomes actively involved in the operation of the body, the body operates as it should and will bring Jesus to the forefront of everything that happens because of the words and deeds of the individual members.  This holds true for the overall, worldwide body of Christ, His church, and it holds true for the individual congregations that are made up of members of that body of believers.  Each congregation that is operating with its members fulfilling their callings from God will have the same result as the overall body of Christ when it does its world-wide job.  Jesus will be lifted up.  Lives with be changed  through faith in the creative power of Jesus.  The Kingdom of God will increase.  This happens in the local congregation, as much as it happens throughout the world.

         One of the primary reasons for a member of the local body to seek God’s anointing, power, gifts, talents, wisdom, discernment, etc. is so that member can help the local congregation become all God intends for it to be.  When the individual members are operating under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the local body matures, grows and becomes highly effective for the cause of the Kingdom of God.  Without the local member operating and fulfilling his/her callings, the local body becomes ineffective, and that hinders the overall body of Christ being effective on a larger scale.  

         The individual member can discover his/her gifts, talents and anointings through prayer, fasting, studying God’s word and simply listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He directs his/her life.  Seeking the Kingdom of God in one’s own life will help a person to discover just what his/her job is in the local body of disciples.  No two people will have identical gifts, just as no two people will have identical ministries and no two congregations will have identical ministries.  Some things may be similar from one local body or member to the next, but they will not be identical.

         Allow me to encourage you to invest some serious time in asking God to reveal to you what He wants you to do as one member of the local body.  Look for opportunities to apply your skills and talents in ministry within your local congregation.  Talk to your pastor about your interests and seek his guidance in filling a need within the local congregation if it falls in your areas of interest.  Talk to mature disciples and ask them how they became involved in ministry within the local congregation.  And as always, pray, pray, pray, and then listen and let God speak to you.

         Remember that God doesn’t necessarily call the qualified.  He will qualify the called.  (God will get you ready for what He wants you to do as an individual member of the local congregation.) 

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #27–Remember Your Source

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         I need to call and check on that new couple who visited last weekend.  There’s a board meeting tonight at 7pm.  Someone from the thrift store called and wanted to know if we can do the bicycles for kids again.  The HVAC company is coming at 9:30 this morning.  Family will be visiting sometime tomorrow.  And tomorrow night is Bible Study and I haven’t finished the lesson.  The elders need guidance on making out the framework for the new by-laws.  The kids have practices every day during the school break.  Someone posted a vicious remark about our youth program last night.

         AAAHHHHGGGG!!!!!!

         Ever want to just scream about how complicated, demanding and simply exhausting life as a pastor can be?  Well, you’re in good company.  We’ve all had that over-worked, over-extended, over-scheduled, over-everything feeling.  A pastor’s life is much more than preaching, teaching and visiting the sick.  And sometimes that “much more stuff” falls right in your lap.

         What do you do when that happens?  I encourage you to remember your source. 

         Your source is not people, although God does use people to help with all the multi-tasking.  Your source is not denominational groups, although they can provide training and encouragement.  Your source is not your education, private study or your degrees hanging on the wall.

         Your source is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  This is your source.  This is your source for your calling and anointing.  This is your source for needed wisdom.  This is your source for inspiration.  This is your source for provision and protection and promises.  God is your source.

        Satan tries to get you to think you’re in this on your own and that you will fail. He will try to get you to think you don’t know enough or don’t have enough or can’t do enough to get your job done effectively.  And he is correct.  You don’t know enough by yourself.  You don’t have enough by yourself.  You can’t do enough by yourself. 

         But Satan does not have the last say in what your life will accomplish, nor does he have the last say in who you are.  He definitely does not have the last word in declaring who your source is.  Only God can have that last word.  And God says He is your source.

         Remember that God created you and called you and anointed you while you were still in your mother’s womb.  Remember that Jesus left the glories of heaven to come to this earth and sacrifice His life so you can be forgiven.  Remember that the Holy Spirit dwells in you and is your Comforter and Guide.  Remember that you have been empowered to spread the good news about Jesus.  Remember that Jesus has already defeated the forces of evil.  Remember that your King is coming again to receive you to Himself so that where He is, you may be also.  Remember that!

         Do you need wisdom?  Ask your source for it.  Do you need calmness in your spirit?  Ask your source for it.  Do you need help in a relationship?  Ask your source for the help.  Do you need healing in your body, mind, emotions or spirit?  Ask your source for His healing touch.  Do you need a new zeal for God?  Ask your source to renew you.

         Close your eyes, count to ten and remember your source.

         Take a deep breath and remember your source!

         REMEMBER YOUR SOURCE!  (I’m aware this is shouting, but maybe I need to shout to get your attention today.)

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #26–Frustration

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Let’s talk about frustration for a bit.  We’ve all felt frustration.  When someone is a pastor, that feeling can appear from nowhere and last much longer than we would like to admit. 

         A carpenter can work on building a structure, and, at the end of the week, he can look on what he has accomplished because he can see visible results.  The frame is completed.  The roof is covered.  The windows are installed.  The walls are insulated.  He easily can review his progress, because the results of his labor are evident.

         Those obvious results of labor that can exist for a carpenter are not going to be so obvious for the pastor.  The pastor may teach on generosity for a month and not see an increase in giving of time, talents or treasure for six months.  The shepherd may steadily encourage his congregation to daily read their Bibles and not hear anyone mention having a regular devotion for the entire year.  The pastor may pray for someone to draw close to God’s forgiveness and not see anything happen for months, even years.

         Example: I once met a couple who started attending our worship services and discovered they were living together but not married.  I began praying that their relationship would be influenced by the Holy Spirit and that they would realize that marriage was God’s established institution and that their relationship should line up with God’s intended plan for one man and one woman.  After praying for them for over three years, they contacted me and asked me if I would lead a marriage ceremony for them.  I joyfully performed that ceremony and thanked God for that answer to prayer.  I admit that I had been frustrated that it took so long for them to ask to be married.

         The result of all that not seeing regular evidences of the ministry’s effects on the lives of the congregation can lead to frustration.  And when that frustration appears, it can have devastating effects on the pastor.  We all want to see that what we are doing is bringing positive changes into the lives of those to whom we are ministering.  But the reality is that our evidences many times do not come quickly.  In fact, we begin to wonder if they will come at all.  And we become frustrated and might begin to question our calling.

           How do we deal with frustration?  How do we battle that nagging thought that we are not accomplishing what we hope and pray about accomplishing for the cause of Christ?

         First, remember the source of the frustration.  God does not lead you into doubting His call on your life.  The Holy Spirit will not put thoughts of quitting into your head because of lack of obvious results.  Frustration does not come from the one who wants to see all come to repentance and to be forgiven.  It comes from the enemy of your calling, your very soul.  The next time you feel frustrated at what seems to be no results in what you are doing, remember that doubt, that fear, that worry does not come from good.  Frustration is from the evil one who is fighting your ministry. 

         Second, remember who made you, who called you, who empowered you and who promised you success if you will just trust in Him.  Jesus is the one who assured you that there will be a harvest if the seeds are planted.  Jesus is the one who put you where you are.  The Holy Spirit is your guide, comforter, teacher and source of energy.

         After remembering those two things and talking to yourself about what they mean to your ministry, go read Psalm 22.  Then read it again, slowly.  Can you see the frustration David experienced?  Can you sense his doubt and fear?  Now, do you see what David did in the middle of his frustration?  Do you understand how he dealt with it?

         Psalm 22 describes someone who is at a very low point.  It describes someone who is mocked, persecuted and at the mercy of enemies.  But that someone remembers what God has done in the past.  Then he prays for deliverance.  The next thing he does is state that he will proclaim God’s name to others.  He praises the Lord and declares future generations, even those not born yet, will hear about the wonders the Lord has performed.

         In the midst of his frustration, David turned to God and refocused on God’s power, protection, provision, promises and presence.  In the midst of your frustration, I encourage you to do the same. 

         Remember just how powerful God is and how the Father has placed all authority in heaven and on earth in the name of Jesus. 

         Remember every time God has protected you, not just form physical injury, but also from spiritual attack. 

         Remember every time you saw God provide for your own family and the families of those you shepherd. 

         Remember Jesus’ promises to those who place their trust in Him. 

         And remember how fulfilling, how empowering, how motivating it is to be in the Holy Spirit’s presence as you praise and worship your Lord and King.

         When you focus on all these memories, you will have found the key to dealing with and overcoming frustration that David found in Psalm 22.  Frustration may come, but you can defeat it.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #13–Not Alone

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         You are not alone.  The devil will do everything he can to make you think you are.  However, whether you remember it or not, you are not alone.

              The enemy of Christ’s kingdom will use any method he can to try to isolate you physically or mentally and convince you that you don’t have any help in pastoring your small congregation.  He will try to make you think being God’s pastor has put you into the position of having no friends, no trusted confidants and no allies in the war against evil.  He will cause people to betray your trust or even desert you in a crisis.  He will do his best to convince you that nobody is responding to your sermons, nobody likes you anymore, nobody takes you seriously and nobody is willing to stick around during the hard times when nothing seems to be going the way you had hoped it would.

         Any time you begin to feel alone in your calling, get alone with your heavenly Father.  Ask Him to renew your calling.  Ask God to revive your spirit with His power.  Ask for wisdom, fresh anointing and a new vision.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you just how many are working beside you to accomplish God’s will in your life.  Ask Him to remind you of who “The Boss” is.

         Remember the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?  There have been millions who have gone before you who have served God.  You’re not the only one in town who is serving him today.  Remember how God had to remind the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19:18 that he wasn’t alone?  You’re not the only one who has had betrayals, troubles, threats or persecutions.  Wake up to these realities and pray until you have defeated Satan’s attempt to put you into a pity-party.

         Probably the most important thing you can do when you begin to feel alone is to remind yourself that Jesus has called you into His service.  He knows what you can do for His kingdom, and Jesus is depending on you to do it.  Remind yourself that Romans 8:26-27 states the Holy Spirit intercedes for YOU.  Remind yourself that Jesus Himself is at the right hand of God making intercession for YOU. (Romans 8:34)  Remind yourself that in John 17:20 Jesus prayed for all those who would believe in Him because of the message His disciples would spread, and that includes YOU.  Simply put, remind yourself that Jesus is on your side, and “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31)

         There are millions of fellow disciples of Jesus around the world and in your own community today fighting the same battles you are.  You are not alone.

         Jesus and the Holy Spirit are on your side and are interceding for you.  You are not alone.

    You are not alone.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor