copyright(c)2015 Daneille Gray Snowden
2015
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PASTORS THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
By Daneille Gray Snowden
The call of God upon a man or woman, (when answered) totally breaths another type of life and even character into their lives. God's Heart is captured within, causing great passion for a dying world to be shown a way of salvation. As we pastors grow in our call; by serving others and spending intimate time in communion with our Lord; this PASSION intensifies greatly. So much so, it becomes greatly what we think and talk about ALL THE TIME; which then causes our feet to move and our hands to reach out.
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By serving others within this place, position, and opportunity is the mode that turns the wheels of our calling. We LOVE-to-LOVE others by teaching them the WAY of hope and life; this of course is by the Word of God being ministered weekly. We love to listen, be a shoulder for one's to cry on, and offer sound advice coupled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
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As the world changes all around; in individuals lives, our communities and such: the Lord is true to giving VISION' for the ministry God has brought them to. The scripture; "Without a vision, the people will perish." (Prov. 29:18) is the energy source to compel the called man and/or woman of God to propel themselves into the Presence of their God. Why? For it's God's Vision (not man's), and Call for the Work in the Harvest!
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As we dwell on this aspect, allow me to take you down a difficult roadway for many pastors today. They have this call, God's Heart-Beat pounding intensely within; yet their voices don't seem to be heard. God's Word is preached, prayer and fasting is being practiced, God is filling the minister with His blessed Spirit that gives great 'unction' to continue the work. Still, Pastor's telephone and visit, trying whatever avenue the Lord leads them to minister; and the response is not there. God's blessed presence is felt during the worship time in the service, the Pastor preaches (filled with love) with great affection and still; there is a deafening silence.
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Pastor, if you are there; you understand when church is over you feel an aching deep within your spirit. With a gentle smile, hugs around the necks of your parishioner's and kind words (plus quick counseling sessions); the doors are closed and locked and another service is over. Or is it? We all know and do believe God's Word doesn't return void, He is working on everyone's hearts and minds what was delivered that Sunday. It's not over inside the Pastor and even their entire family either. All week long, this is the day you anticipate to be used by the Lord for lives to be changed for His Glory. Yet another service, is over; seemingly, it seems fruit is not multiplying.
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There are ministries where the Word falls on healthy soil and God multiplies the fruit that comes forth. These ministries are filled with intercessors. There is a loving unity that abides within the Body; where brothers and sisters in Christ are just that: a family. They find it difficult to say goodbye when it's time to part. Yet, many pastors (who are true & quite genuine in their love for God & people); are in a pastorship that see's little of what a healthy church has.
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"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
Difficult passage of scripture; yet we all KNOW that truly this is in all the world filled with, "lovers of self - more than lovers of God." The FRUIT of this is destruction; "It is the most destructive influence upon interpersonal relationships imaginable. It eliminates concern for the other person’s welfare and sucks the life out of any meaningful communication. It is the first sin of the universe, when Adam and Eve chose themselves over God, and it tops the list of sins that God hates" [Dr. Dan Hayden]
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This self love has been the break down of the church. When we note that priorities are based on the factor of: 'me'; other's needs are neglected (including God's). How does this affect Pastors? Those who do not allow anger to fester, still do deal with intense frustration; who feel a gnawing eating within their hearts. To be frank; it is MISERABLE! God's LIFE GIVING SPIRIT; has led the Pastor (and his entire family) to a ministry to bring LIFE. But, it's just not being received!
Here is where the Pastor battles his own emotions of loss on what to do and how to reach out, thus that leans to sadness. Feeling bewildered, realizing God's Heart; a Pastor (who is earnest in his call), approaches each day of service only knowing one thing: BE FAITHFUL. The difficulty lies, seeing one's self and their family in disarray. Worn, but knowing God well enough that He will take care of them. The Pastor asks God the question; "Do I continue...do I keep going on, year after year, with no fruit?" Saying to his / her Lord; "God, I want to love them with Your love...I NEED to be used of You to cultivate the harvest of souls. Help me, God: I feel as if I am slowly dying not being USED UP for You!"
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Slowly dying, ouch! Not spiritually, but ministerially and emotionally. Do pastors admit that to one
another? I think not! But, there are several ministries (churches) that are in this very 'state'. There are some pastors too, who are feeling (as they long to serve) that they are slowly sinking and their feet are just getting heavier. The support in prayer, affirmation, and finances (sometimes) is just simply non existent.
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Seek out a friend, a godly man or woman who is truly in 'touch' with the leading of the Holy Spirit. This person may or may not be a fellow pastor, or minister but can also be one who is passionate about serving the Lord and others. Confide this to them, pour your heart out. Allow them to pray for you and be your confidant. We need this. I cannot tell you that you need to leave this ministry or stay. But, I can tell you; God see's your faithfulness to Him;
"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." Heb. 6:10
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Hold tightly to the fact your Lord has called you and He is faithful to His promises!
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
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Please, grab this friend and do this. Try if you are able to get time for refreshing. At this period the Lord may give you amazing strength and guidance. There is nothing like time alone with our God and family.
"Refresh my heart in Christ." Philemon 1:20
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I know several aged ministers who have had those healthy, fruitful churches as well as those dry, unhealthy ones too. What encourages me as a Pastor (with my husband); is the GLOW on their faces (reminding me of Stephen when martyred by Paul) when they speak of ALL THE YEARS of ministry and how many (of their old parishioners) have come to them (even from those barren churches) and tell them how God used them (the aged Pastor) to turn their lives over to the Lord. And how, God blessed in that their families today are serving Jesus. Ya see, we just don't know; only God knows. Hang on my friend, God is making a way. Meanwhile, draw strength from the WELL, being filled with His refreshing!
"To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29
Read the words to Rend Collective's song, More Than Conquerors :
"When my hope and strength is gone
You're the one who calls me on
You are the life
You are the fight
That's in my soul
We are more than conquerors, through Christ
You have overcome this world, this life....
...Nothing is impossible
Every chain is breakable
With You, we are victorious
You are stronger than our hearts
You are greater than the dark
With You, we are victorious..."
My friend; God is greater than our hearts...He is stronger...WE ARE VICTORIOUS!
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