Guiding Light!What does our pastor do?The duties of a pastor is exhaustive. We often times think of a pastor as only a preacher, one who gives a sermon on Sunday morning. We couldn't be more wrong, just look at the list below and and rethink how our pastors spend their time. It is no wonder that so many pastors get "burn out." Most pastors spend in excess of 50 to 60 hours a week trying to fulfill their duties. A pastor is; Ambassador, advocate, administrator, baptizer, building usage consultant, confidante, confronter, community builder, discussion leader, encourager, emotional baggage handler, funeral companion, grace giver, grounds inspector, historian, interpreter, justice seeker, knowledge dispenser, latent gift discoverer, mediator, missionary, nurturer, organizer, opportunity spotter, public speaker, problem solver, questioner, quarterback, reviewer, spiritual director, teacher, trainer, unifier, utility player, volunteer coordinator, vision caster, wedding ceremony presider, youth advocate, yule celebrator, zeal stoker, zoo keeper (okay, so it just seems that way). Are we starting to get the picture? When was the last time we sent a letter or card telling our pastor how much we appreciate him? When was the last time we told the pastors wife how much we appreciate her? Think of how much the pastors wife and family must sacrifice for all the time he spends away doing God's work. Perhaps it is time we all help relieve him of some of his duties and step up to the plate and offer some of our own God given gifts to free up some of his time. Take time today to pray and ask God what can I do to help my pastor become more effective in his calling to shepherd His people. It is all of our responsibility to fulfill God's great commission and to use the gifts He has given us to expand the Kingdom of God. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have given us the ability to be ambassadors for Your Kingdom. Strengthen our desire to serve you in the gifts you have so freely given us. Teach us to be doers of the word and not just hearers, use us Heavenly Father to be a vital part of your congregation of believers. Cause us to look deep within ourselves to identify our shortcomings and to seek Your forgiveness to become to person You want us to be. We thank you Father for your blessings and grace you show on us daily. In Jesus name we pray......amen In Christ's Service, Kenny Millhouse kenny@guidinglightministry.com http://guidinglightministry.com This is a weekly service brought to you by Guiding Light Ministries, if you enjoy receiving these messages, please send us an email sharing your thoughts and words of encouragement. Feel free to pass these messages on to your friends and neighbors. If you need personal help in learning how to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, send us an email and we will contact you immediately. If you have received this devotion from a friend and would like to be added to our mailing list, reply with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line and we will gladly add you to our list. If at anytime you wish to be removed from our mailing list, reply with "REMOVE" in the subject line and we will immediately remove you. |