Dear Fellow Children of God,
A couple of months ago I received a phone call from a
former member of St. John. The lady told
me, “I want you to do my funeral.” Well,
first of all, she is still alive. Some
may consider it odd that someone who is alive is nevertheless thinking about
the service held at the time of their death.
Yet, I’ve also had other people who are currently living ask that favor
from me. In reality, preparing ahead of
time for the details that surround our death is a gift and a blessing to loved
ones. Then our family or friends don’t
have to make those difficult decisions in a time of emotional loss and turmoil.
But, the part of this conversation that was perhaps more
interesting to me is that this lady was a former
member of St. John. She had left the congregation
where I was pastor and joined another church, actually a number of other
churches. When I met with her to discuss
the possibility and plans for her funeral, she even made a further statement
that really surprised me. “When we
belonged to St. John we were the happiest we were in any congregation.” I wanted to ask, “Then why did you
leave?” But, in truth I knew some of the
circumstances around their search for a new faith home. I didn’t think, and I am now sure, that it
was nothing I personally did to make this family seek another church home. But, I will be honest. Disagreements with members are one of the
biggest struggles for Christian pastors.
When I served as pastor and folks were upset with me, and when I knew of
the disagreement, those bruised feelings would often keep me awake at
night.
I once read an article in one of our Lutheran magazines
that talked about pastor-people conflict.
One assertion was that a large majority of pastors had even considered
resigning, or changing professions, in the previous 6 months. An article I read from Ministry Magazine in
preparing for this devotion said, “Conflicts between churches and their
pastors are becoming more frequent. Reasons are many and varied. Whatever the
causes, pastor-parishioner conflicts are so frequent that they absorb too much
time and energy and inhibit God's work at many levels.”
We should not be surprised that such conflict
occurs. Pastors, church leaders, and all
Christians are in the church because we are sinful people who need a Savior,
who need the grace and the forgiveness of Jesus. In every one of the New Testament Epistles,
or letters in the Bible, disagreements are addressed and dealt with. So, even though we are often surprised to
find disagreement in God’s church which preaches faith and love, it should not
be a shock to find conflict in today’s churches.
I experienced the flip side of this
coin with an e-mail this week from the people of Anchorage Lutheran
Church. The e-mail had a fall picture
declaring, “October is Pastor Appreciation Month.” 1 Thessalonian 5:12-13 was referenced. These verses from God’s word say, “12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work
hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them
in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each
other.”
In my personal devotions on
Wednesday, October 14, I read through 1 Timothy 5, where Paul instructs Pastor
Timothy and the church in Ephesus, 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of
double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the
Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the
grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an
elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.” Paul is encouraging a
healthy relationship between pastor and people.
The letter to the Hebrews instructs that congregation, “17 Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them
so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage
to you.” If you read this verse you can see that God’s
church is made up of fallen people. Both
people and pastors may struggle. But,
the responsibility of a pastor is overwhelming: to give an account to God for
the souls of those people whom he is called to shepherd! It doesn’t help when this large
responsibility becomes burdensome, rather than a joyful service of for Lord.
The word “pastor” comes from the
Greek word which means “shepherd.” A
good pastor seeks to shepherd or care for the people of God. A good pastor does not “lord it over” their
people (1 Peter 5:1-4), but serves God’s
people with a life of Christian service.
Ultimately, the goal of a pastor is to help God’s people to grow in the
one who THE Good Shepherd, Jesus. As
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep.” (John 10:11) The
pastor is not the savior. Jesus is the
savior of the Sheep of God’s flock. The
pastor is a fellow sinner who needs Jesus himself, and whose job is to point
others to the Savior and the Good Shepherd.
I was
surprised to hear from this former member that she was most happy in a church
when attending St. John. But how about
you? As a member of the family of God,
have you ever caused issues of conflict for your pastor? (I can write this question
now that I am in retirement.) Have you
thanked your pastor for taking on the enormous responsibility which God gives
him? How in your church can members and
pastor best work together to further the Gospel of Jesus? These are good questions for Pastor
Appreciation Month.
A Child of God, Praying for the Church of Jesus, for the
Relationships between Pastors and People,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Last Sunday,
October 11, St. John celebrated 85 years of God’s blessings at St. John, and
through St. John. Here is the video
presentation prepared for this celebration.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WM37dc8bEkfB58NR8
P.P.S. Instead of
fishing I went hiking with a friend up Castle Mountain on Monday, October
12. (I go fishing this week on Thursday,
October 15) Here are some pictures of
the hike. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ctS235JjiugymP8L8
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now
retired from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer,
AK. My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."
However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through
Life as a Child of God." I am only sending this message to those who
have asked to receive it. If you know someone else who desires to receive
this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net. I will
include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my
Facebook page.
HOWEVER, A NUMBER
OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to
people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving these messages. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to
receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to
receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add
you to my distribution list.
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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