Yesterday was another typical ministry day in the life of a pastor. It was a WOW!!!!
After spending half of the afternoon meeting Mike and taking a tour of a relatively new ministry nestled in the mountains bordering the Cherokee National Forest, Back 2 Basics Adventures, it was time to make my way back home. There were two visits with church members that I desired to make.
Pulling off to the side of the country road, I said, “Lord, where should I go?” Once again, as always, what He initiates He also guides.
Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
How easy it is start doing things out of sheer routine! Normally, when we start a ministry, we are full of vision, enthusiasm, and motivation. We serve God thankfully for the wonderful privilege He has given us.
These numbers represent folks who Denise and I had the joy of sharing in sweet fellowship this past Saturday and Sunday in two different locations.
For 38 and 44 years, Seth and Linda, now retired, have labored for the Lord in the fields of Christian education.
For 48 years, Bacilio and Eunice has labored faithfully in the mission fields of Hispanic nations. Although the years have taken its toll on him, he said to me, “Dale, I am busier now that I have ever been.”
As I have pondered their lives after our recent visits, my heart was once again encouraged to finish well; to have staying power over the long haul.
Seth & Linda (Gray & maroon)
How does someone in full-time vocational ministry “stay by the stuff” until the end?
What’s the “glue” that helps us “stick-to-it”? Having been involved in ministry now for over 41 years as well as growing up in a pastor’s home, I share these with a bit of experience, yet knowing that my race has not been finished.
Keep your heart fresh in your walk with the Lord by living life in the awe and wonder of Who God is! (Psalms 34:1-3; 63:1-4; 91:1-2; 145:1-21)
Live a life of prayer, not a prayer life. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Memorize and meditate on Scripture so when you talk to yourself, rather than listening to yourself, you have something really worthwhile, transformative to say. (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5)
Learn to rest spiritually, mentally, and physically. There is no virtue in having your “foot-to-the-pedal” 24/7. (Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:31; Philippians 4:6-8)
Make daily investments in your marriage; more deposits than withdrawals. Outside of Christ, your wife needs to be your best friend. (Proverbs 5:15-23; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Song of Solomon 4:9-11; Ephesians 5:18-33)
Enjoy the journey! Laugh a lot! Have fun! Don’t take yourself so serious! (Psalm 16:11; Proverbs 15:15; 17:22; Ecclesiastes 3:4)
Love people as Christ does. (Matthew 22:37-40; John 15:9-17; 1 John 4:21)
Expect to be disappointed and suffer at the hands of people. Why should I be treated any better than Jesus was? And, make sure you do not live with a martyr’s complex! (Hebrews 12:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:10)
Live a life of gratitude. (Colossians 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 12:28)
Remember, few men cannot stand the applause. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Proverbs 16:18)
Your identity is not in a successful sermon or project but in Christ alone. (Philippians 3:4-14)
Surround yourself with godly, encouraging, edifying, loving, transparent friends inside and outside your ministry. (Proverbs 27:17; Romans 16:1-16; Philippians 2:19-30)
Live with the Bema in view as well as eternity. (1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Revelation 21-22)
Live the gospel and share the gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 1:27)
One final thought comes to mind as I consider these four faithful laborers.
At this late date in their lives, they still have such a winsome personality, a sweet disposition and a joy-filled heart in spite of the aging process and current physical hinderances.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
“Sometimes we have to experience misunderstanding from unsympathetic friends in order to learn how to minister to others.” These were part of Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on Job 16:4, that resonated in my heart.
Seated by the fireplace reading, grounded again for the third Sunday in a row due to COVID, I found myself replacing the words “unsympathetic friends” with “COVID.”
“Sometimes we have to experience COVID in order to learn how to minister to others.”
How blessed I have been to be healthy for over two years with no colds and only my typical back issues. I’ve been hiking, running, navigating ministry through the pandemic, on and on and on! Then . . . everything changed in one day. Symptoms which led to a positive test, feeling miserable, infusion, recuperation.
What did I need to learn again? I needed a fresh reminder of what it looks like to be a minister of mercy/compassion just like Jesus as demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ (Luke 10:34-35).
What does that look like? Well, here are some thoughts, in random order, that I jotted in my journal to remind me in the days to come.
Life changes so quickly . . . live in the moment. That may be all that’s left here. (James 4:14-15).
If the Lord nudges you to minister to someone, go. (Luke 10:34)
There are times when you are feeling so bad you do not have the energy to pray beyond, “Lord, help me!” If you are strong physically and spiritually, be sure to pray for those who are weak and weary. They need your intercession (James 5:16). Perhaps, call them . . . not to chit-chat but to simply say, “I want to pray with you, and then I’ll end the call.”
Ask the Lord to give you wisdom as to something beyond “If you need anything, call me!” 99% won’t call (I’m usually one of those); don’t want to be a bother or an inconvenience. Here are a few acts of service that I was blessed to receive recently: 1) Bring a meal. 2) Send a text saying, “I’m out at the store. What can I bring you?” or “I’m at Dunkin. Want a donut and coffee?” 3) Do some project around the yard or house. It was a refreshment to hear the lawn mower crank up in the front yard. 4) Drop by with some cookies/snacks or leave something in the mailbox or on the front porch.
Having said that, accept other’s offers to minister to you. The other night a meal was brought to our front door. Before departing, the gentleman said, “It sure feels good to be on this side of the door” (the giving side).
Send a text every other day or so. Sometimes the one who is suffering may not have the strength to read it and respond, but don’t be afraid to reach out, either. Perhaps a card of encouragement in the mail.
Store up the Word of God in your mind for times like these, when you’re too sick to read or listen to anything.
Consider the caregiver. He/she has picked up the ball for two people all the while serving the ill. They need encouragement and help, too.
How blessed to have a wonderful wife, our dear immediate family and loved ones, close friends, and our precious church family!! Most of all, oh, the goodness of God in the midst of stuff like COVID!
Yes, “sometimes we have to experience “COVID” in order to learn how to minister to others.” Thank You, Lord, for being patient with me and teaching me again to be moved with compassion.
The first time I heard it many years ago, I was deeply moved to tears. It was as though I had written the lyrics. Ever since, Faces, has caused a mental review of nearly 37 years of ministry that stirs my heart and brings the tears.
I was reminded of Faces while ministering in Thompson, PA, Sunday, September 27th. The afternoon service was dedicated to the commissioning of Carl Butler, the new pastor of Thompson Baptist Church. Indeed, it was a joyful occasion! This congregation, without an under-shepherd for three years and now small in number, had weathered many storms. This day brought God-size hopes for the future.
The occasion at hand also gave the church family an opportunity to express their appreciation for every pastor and layman in attendance who had filled the Thompson pulpit during those waiting days. These men came from all around, some haven driven over the mountains on narrow roads to minister to God’s people over the years. Many probably came at their own expense. Some had to return to a bi-vocational job on Monday such as driving a dump truck hauling bluestone.
These men, the majority of them unknown to the Twitter feeds, podcasts and speaking circuits, have simply been . . . faithful. They have used their talents (Matthew 25:23) to serve their Lord in their God-appointed fields. As I stood in the midst of them as we gathered around Pastor Butler to pray, my heart was moved again. These are God’s faithful men. They have seen multiplied days of joy, thanksgiving, sorrow, testings, wonderings, answered prayer, misunderstandings, death, sickness, miracles, salvations, . . . and through it all, remained faithful “to plow the field and plant the seed.” They have remained faithful because God is faithful (Psalm 33:4; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 1 Peter 4:19)
One day, on the other side, they will see the faces because they will be standing face-to-face with the One Who paid the price and accomplished the work through these faithful men (Matthew 25:23; John 15:1-5).
I dreamed my life was done I stood before God’s Son It was time to see what my reward would be With love he reviewed my life To count what was done for Christ For that is what will last eternally
See I’d done my best to share That Jesus really cares And he would save if they just believe Oh, but seldom did harvest come And so few did I see won Until the Lord said, “turn around and see.”
[Chorus:] Then he showed me the faces of the ones who’d come because of me So many faces that my life had led to Calvary All those years I thought nobody saw as I labored in lowly places That’s when Jesus smiled and showed me all the faces.
He said though you did not see the yield, You were faithful to plow the field At other times you helped me plant the seed No matter how small the task, you did just as I asked And thanks to you these souls have been set free.
[Chorus:] Then he showed me the faces of the ones who’d come because of me So many faces that my life had led to Calvary All those years I thought nobody saw as I labored in lowly places That’s when Jesus smiled and showed me all the faces.
Nailed it dead center! Yes, that huge pothole in the road. It was pitch black at night, raining and I didn’t see it in time. After about needing to see a chiropractor due to the jarring we received and a loan officer to pay the tire bill, I learned again that potholes are definitely to be avoided!!!
Dunkin Donuts coffee, time in the Word and prayer on my back porch while watching the fog roll in. . . and then out.
Write in my journal.
Send out a few texts to encourage others.
See pictures of a new grandbaby of one of our church family.
Take coffee to my wife.
Read the newspaper, my wife and daughter’s blog, and a few tweets.
Add a few pictures to our church Facebook page.
See what’s been happening in the world via World Magazine site.
Receive an encouraging word from an “everydayer” texter.
Communicate with a missionary concerning an upcoming visit in September.
Talk to a guest speaker who is coming this Sunday night to preach.
Send anniversary greetings to one of my dear friends.
Help my wife a bit in the kitchen as she prepares food to minister to a burdened soul.
Rejoice over answered prayer!!! Watch God at work!!
Put some of the final touches on Sunday AM’s message.
Leave a “Love is . . . ” cartoon for my wife on the towel covering the freshly baked bread.
Receive a phone call that brings tears of joy!!
Lunch on the back porch.
Begin working on Ephesians study.
Hurt for the tragedy in Barcelona, Spain.
Get rid of a stack of stuff that is not necessary.
Answer emails.
See some church family in the parking lot of a local store. The smiles on their boys’ faces was priceless.
Listen to, counsel and pray with two lives that are bent and broken under the load of sin. Grateful for the healing balm of God’s Word.
Watch others minister to the hurting.
Disciple a new believer.
Listen to a song that causes my heart to rejoice because the song repeats the phrase, “In the middle of it all, there is Jesus.”
Share a few thoughts for Sunday’s bulletin.
Enjoy an Ale-8.
Count blessings.
Reflect on some of my reading from this morning in 2 Kings 3 where Elisha tells King Jehoshaphat, For thus says the LORD, . . . This is a light thing in the sight of the LORD (3:17-18).
Have watched God at work all day through the mundane and the important. Nothing is too hard for our God. It is always a light thing for Him because “in the middle of it all, there is Jesus.”
She has lovingly taken care of her husband since his dementia diagnosis in 2005. Now he lies in a hospital bed at home in their beautifully decorated sun room with full-blown Alzheimer’s. Demonstrating her marriage vows, she wipes his face, pats his head, speaks to him in terms of endearment, cleans up his bed, combs his hair, and listens for any signs of life.
Her home is beautifully attired with all the dressings for Christmas, but one stands out among all others. Next to her beloved husband’s bed, she has prepared a second tree, “just for him, although he doesn’t even know it’s there.”
“His biological clock has not stopped working. He wakes up nearly every morning at 5:00 a.m.” She sleeps in the bedroom next to the sunroom so she can respond to his needs through the night. “He will cough, but it’s not a real cough. I think it’s just a ‘Hey, I’m awake cough,’ and I get up to go check on him.”
Sunday evening, my wife, another couple, and I stopped to sing Christmas carols to them. She had the bar counter prepared with Christmas goodies and fourteen cups set out waiting to be filled with warm apple cider or hot chocolate. In the midst of her trial, she had gone to great lengths to prepare for company. I was saddened that she expected a “small crowd,” and it was only a very small crowd of four.
While visiting around the counter and enjoying the tasty treats, this dear lady said something that arrested my attention. “Last week, I invited some of my friends here for a meal. We had a house full. These are folks from up on the mountain where I’m from. I am concerned about one lady in particular. I’m not sure she is saved.”
Wow! I mean, wow! Here’s a lady whose life is consumed with the care of her husband, and she intentionally prepared a large meal, invited guests to her home, and all for the purpose of sharing the gospel. In the midst of caring for her born-again husband suffering from the awfulness of the sin-curse and will one day know no more pain or memory loss, she reaches out in compassion to those who will suffer for an eternity in hell, if they do not receive Christ as their personal Savior (John 1:12; 3:16-17).
Enough said.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).
And of some have compassion, making a difference (Jude 22).
As I watch the farmers around my house cut hay and prepare for winter, my thoughts have drifted to harvest time and colder temps. These are great days to look on the fields (Luke 10:2) and pray for harvesters and a harvest. But, we do not just pray, we get involved. For the dear congregation of Boones Creek Bible Church, I offer on this the first day of October, some outreach ideas for you to exercise the heart and compassion of Christ and be a laborer in the harvest field of opportunity! Start or continue to build relationships that point to Jesus Christ.
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)
Invite a group of folks to your backyard, build a fire, and make s’mores. Play a game.
Bring someone to the Community Caring Closet at church, October 18-29, that could use some clothes and some gospel care.
Prepare your car trunk with goodies for Trunk or Treat night, October 28, at church. Have a theme for your and bring some other kids. After the service, all the children will walk through the parking lot receiving your goodies. Great opportunity for you to connect with the kids and be a blessing to them!
Reverse Halloween: It’s the one night of the year when most folks are at home and eager to answer the door. Of course, residents will be surprised when they get treats instead of having to give them out. Go door-to-door to distribute bags of goodies containing candy, Christian DVDs or CDs, a gospel tract, a book, a card, etc.
Help a neighbor rake leaves and/or take in their summer furniture; just offer to help in some way.
Family Free Car Wash: Make up signs saying “FREE Car Wash” and “No Tricks, Just Treats”. People will stop and ask, “What’s the gimmick?” Tell them, “We’re Christians, and doing something for you, at no charge, is one way of letting you know that Jesus loves you and so do we. We want to treat you today by washing your car for you.” Most people will stand outside while their car is being washed. This is a good time for friendly talk, to invite them to church, and if possible to ask them about their relationship with the Lord Jesus. As they leave, give them a tract and information about our church.
Prepare a harvest basket of fruit, cookies, etc and deliver it to a policemen or fireman as way to say thanks. Be sure to include a gospel tract, a personal note of thanks with your address, and church information.
Lead a church service at the local nursing home by singing, reading Scripture and prayer.
Distribute donuts, hot chocolate, and a gospel tract at a local bus stop.
Bring in breakfast for all the teachers at a local school near you.
Go door-to-door in your neighborhood and ask how you can pray for them. Write it down and go back in a week or two to find out how God answered. If possible, have prayer with them at the door.
Offer an evening or Saturday to help a single parent. That may include babysitting, fixing things, helping maintain a car, help cleaning the house, etc. Ask questions and be a good listener. Perhaps offer to pray.
Opportunities are everywhere because people are everywhere! See the harvest?
It happens almost every Sunday night. After a very full day of ministry, at some point between leaving church or an after-church fellowship and getting into bed for a good night of rest, I find myself looking back over the day with a sense of amazement and awe. So very much happened!! I can still hear the voices of people sharing their burdens, singing their hearts out, asking life questions, telling me of answers to prayer, sharing a testimony; the chatter, the children, the laughter, the tears, the “Pastor, what about . . .?”, etc. Then I go back over Sunday School class, the AM Service and the PM Service as well as replay my preaching over and over wishing I had said that or left out that.
Somewhere in those thoughts comes to mind ALL the people involved in ministry throughout the day at BCBC that serve upfront and behind the scenes. They are those who set up the gym for SS and then put away the tables and chairs, those who come to early prayer meeting, sound room workers doing a multitude of things for sight and sound, greeters ready to welcome and be hospitable, one who gets an umbrella and walks people from their car to the carport in the pouring rain or parks the cars for some of our ladies, nursery workers dealing with precious and sometimes not so precious babies, janitors, deacons who are all over the place doing seven things at once, coffee makers providing that ever-needed java jolt, secretary work that didn’t end on Friday, teachers leading their classes, musicians playing and singing, people being intentional to reach other people with a hand-shake and a smile or the gospel, and on and on it goes throughout a typical Sunday. The purpose of this blog today is to say to all who serve at BCBC on Sundays as well as Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, THANK YOU!
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:3-6).
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