How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!
Romans 10:14-15
KJV
We are coming to the end of October, a time when most churches set aside a time to celebrate their pastors. There are special services, luncheons and dinners, cards, gifts, and words of tribute for those who serve their congregations in so many ways.
The running joke is that pastors only work one day a week, when they speak during the weekly worship service. That is far removed from the reality of pastoring a church. There are hours of preparation that precede that twenty minute sermon you hear. There are visits to the homebound, the hospitals and care facilities, emergency calls at all hours, counseling sessions, funerals, baptisms, and weddings.
No, pastors work much more than a forty hour week not because it is their JOB, but because it is their calling. They are called by God to serve Him wherever, whenever, and however He chooses.
Oswald Chambers writes, To be “separated unto the gospel” means to hear the call of God; and when a man begins to overhear that call, then begins agony that is worthy of the name. Every ambition is nipped in the bud, every desire of life quenched, every outlook completely extinguished and blotted out, saving one thing only – “separated unto the gospel.” Woe be to the soul who tries to put his foot in any other direction when once the call has come to him.
These are those who say to God when He calls, “Here am I. Send Me.”
As we move into the season of Advent and Christmas, let us remember that our pastors need our prayers and our support. What is God calling you to do? It may be to teach a Bible Study, or a Sunday School class. It may be to visit someone who has been absent from church or to make a telephone call. There are many ways to serve and if you ask God, He will lead you in the way He would have you to go.
So ask, “Lord, what is my part in this?”
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