Loving your Pastor

What God gives, we receive, including the words and person of our faithful pastor. When the pastor is speaking and teaching in accord with the Word of God, his authority is God’sboth to call sin what it is and to absolve (John 20:23). "He who hears you hears Me" (Luke 10:16). This authority would seem oppressive or prone to abuse. And it can be and isin its pseudo-forms. Jesus certainly did not "lord it over" anyone, and Paul followed Jesus in this regard. "Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy" (2 Cor. 1:24). Peter gives pastors a specific pastoral admonition against coercion of the flock. "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you . . . not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:23).

Have you ever considered how frightening a task it is to know you must speak the Word of God whether folks like it or not? And then to do so as a sinful, emotional, fearful "maggot sack" (as Luther called himself) makes it a super-human burden. It’s only possible to carry out the task with the help of Jesus and His grace (2 Tim. 1:6). Such a burden, combined with an eternally important responsibility, is enough to drive a man into loneliness and despair. But that’s how Jesus became the Great Shepherd, and through crossesand only through crossesHe continues to make great shepherds of fallible men (Gal. 6:14; 2 Cor. 12:9). And through crosses, He also creates sheep ready to hear the voice of their shepherd and carry each other’s burdens (including the pastor’s).

But the congregation to which I am now former pastor, did much more than just love me on my last day. They loved me throughout my fifteen years in that place. Here are ten of the ways:

Early in my tenure they sent me to Israel for eighteen days. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. The memories and things I learned were almost beyond comprehension.

My family and I were remembered each Christmas with generous words and generous gifts. Our holidays were always made special by the people of Mt. Calvary.