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Dear Young Pastor . . . Don’t Forget Your Call To Grow
Any pastor knows that the work of the ministry is multi-faceted with several differing needs arising over the course of any week. Just as soon as the call to visit a couple who had their first baby comes, another comes in that an elderly saint has just been called home to their reward. Marriages occur in the life of the church, as does marital counseling because one is in the middle of strife. New Christians need discipleship and mature saints need direction in how to serve. With all of the unique situations that arise, we often see areas in the church and in people that need growth. Sometimes a person needs to grow in their patience as evidenced by their testiness when someone visits with them. The congregation as a whole may need to advance perhaps in some spiritual way, with financial management, or perhaps in evangelizing the community. Paul’s charge to Titus to “put what remained in order” certainly means that pastors are called to shepherd the flock into increasing conformity to the Word of God by combatting both false doctrine and practices while pursuing that which Christ has commanded (Titus 1:5).
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A Mark of True Friendship
The wide variety of friendships over the course of our lives often adds a spice of adventure. That is not an inherently negative statement, simply a true one. The man who has been a waiter for the last ten years at the restaurant you go to every week may be a friend but he perhaps might not be the most intimate one with whom you share your life trials. Then there is the friend who you knew over your childhood but have not talked to in fifteen years. Another category of friend is the one that you talk to nearly every day and you are really invested in each other. These various types of friendships weave into our lives interactions with people in a fascinating degree of levels ranging from “how are you today” to working through someone’s deepest hurts. Yet, we are also left with a pressing question, what is the mark of a true friend?
A Lesson From The Life of Charles Spurgeon
As a young boy growing up in Baptist churches the name “Charles Spurgeon” was frequently cited with respect. Knowing little of him at that age, I simply took pleasure in hearing his theological insights as well as his witty sense of humor. Once I grew up and entered the work of the ministry, Spurgeon became more than a mere distant figure. Reading his books, learning about his life, and gleaning from his wisdom became a regular occurrence for me. Here was a figure who took Scripture seriously. This was a man who labored faithfully for the Lord over the course of his life. Beyond a doubt, he was the most influential preacher of his day. In fact, his fame is almost shocking considering how unapologetic he was for standing on biblical truth. Seemingly, he is just as renowned in our day as many preachers and Christians continue to learn from his life.