Every day, I think at least briefly about serving as a senior pastor again. If I think hard enough, I also remember things that I didn’t enjoy about the work of a pastor; however, I much more remember blessings of the work – blessings I wish I would have appreciated more years ago. I list these things here in hopes of helping some hurting pastors count their blessings today with me.
- Preaching to the same people every week. Even when they’re not always on board, it’s a great privilege to teach the same people the Word of God over the course of years. You get to watch them learn to trust you, love the Lord, and follow the message you proclaim.
- Baptizing people. I remember my first baptism of my best friend, the child who dove into the pool, the older lady who chose to overcome her deep fear of water, the adult son whose mother hollered in joy as I lowered her son into the water, and so many others. Few others have this joy.
- Serving the Lord’s Supper. There’s a sweetness and a holiness to that moment that’s hard to describe. You get to take people back to the cross, lead them to examine themselves, and look forward to Christ’s return—all the while doing it via the ordinance the Lord gave us. Standing before God’s people also requires you to examine your own life first.
- Marrying believers. I must confess that I sometimes complained about this task (e.g., it required a lot of time, you never knew what might happen, it was likely recorded if you messed up something, etc.), but pastors uniquely get this privilege. Church members invite you to share this significant moment with them.
- Being “Pastor Chuck” to the kids and teens. Some of them had difficult home lives, but I hope they knew every Sunday that someone loved them. I love my students at Southeastern Seminary, but “Pastor Chuck” from the lips of a little one means more to me than “Dr. Lawless” any day.
- Seeing the gospel transform lives. This is what it’s all about – seeing the gospel change lost sinners into Christ-obeying believers. You see arrogant people become humble, adulterers become faithful, addicts become sober, and rebels become Christ-followers. When you’re with a church long enough, you get to see this happen over more than one generation.
- Officiating funerals. These were at times painful moments, but I pray I helped families rejoice over the lives of their believing loved ones. I know it was my joy to remind them that the Christian faith answers the questions of eternity and offers hope even in death. As pastor, I got to lead in their celebrations of life.
Pastors, my prayer is that you will enjoy your work more today. Thank you for your service to God’s church!
Thank you for posting. As a current pastor, I just wanted to let you know I am one, at least, who needed this reminder today.
I can both affirm and concur with your post.
I was a “full-time” pastor for nearly 40 years. But, my precious wife was called Home nearly 14 years ago, which made a drastic change in my life and ministry.
Our Father allowed me to remarry nearly four years later, and together we are missionaries to Haiti.
But I DO miss those days and times, when I was more attuned to the people on a weekly basis, and at times I struggle with what the Lord yet wants me to do for His Kingdom in my senior stage of life.
Having just returned from a trip to Israel, has only poured more “fuel” on that passion and desire.