Paul boldly proclaimed the gospel. He fearlessly went into hostile environments to point people to Jesus. He brilliantly debated with skeptics and won many of them over. He worked tirelessly at preaching, evangelism, church planting and writing. What may surprise many of us is how much he loved the people in the churches he planted. Let me give you just a few examples from the Thessalonica church. "We proved to be gentle among you like a nursing mother tenderly cares for her children." [I Thess 2:7] "Having so fond an affection" "well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives" "You had become very dear to us" [I Thess 2:8]
This pastor loved the flock entrusted to Him. Many pastors preach the word. Some do so in anger scorning the very people they are supposed to serve. Some do so professionally and mechanically not caring about the spiritual well being of the flock. They preach out of duty. Many pastors use their leadership position to manipulate people to accomplish their agenda. People are used as stepping stones to achieve and objective.
Then their are true shepherds who not only impart the gospel but give their very lives to the people they serve. They love intensely. They rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. They are well pleased to give their lives. These pastor's fates are bound with the fates of their flock. For these pastors their joy, crown and exultation is their flock in the presence of Jesus one day. [I Thess 2:19] I salute all true shepherds who love their Lord and flocks more than their own glory or ministerial success. I thank God for a faithful pastor in Charles Roberts and a youth pastor in Eli Bernard who loved me and imparted their lives to me. Thank you God for faithful shepherds no matter what the size of the church.
This pastor loved the flock entrusted to Him. Many pastors preach the word. Some do so in anger scorning the very people they are supposed to serve. Some do so professionally and mechanically not caring about the spiritual well being of the flock. They preach out of duty. Many pastors use their leadership position to manipulate people to accomplish their agenda. People are used as stepping stones to achieve and objective.
Then their are true shepherds who not only impart the gospel but give their very lives to the people they serve. They love intensely. They rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. They are well pleased to give their lives. These pastor's fates are bound with the fates of their flock. For these pastors their joy, crown and exultation is their flock in the presence of Jesus one day. [I Thess 2:19] I salute all true shepherds who love their Lord and flocks more than their own glory or ministerial success. I thank God for a faithful pastor in Charles Roberts and a youth pastor in Eli Bernard who loved me and imparted their lives to me. Thank you God for faithful shepherds no matter what the size of the church.
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