shepherding the shepherd
from PreachingToday.com
The End of Tests and Tears
One of our pastoral privileges is to make God’s people homesick, to lift their chins and to help them envision the day when we leave the wilderness behind forever. Then, gathered with all the saints in bridal white, we will serve God forever in his temple. And God will serve us!
Exceptional Service
Once the resurrected Christ recreates his disciples’ lives, he assigns them to shepherds like us. Over the years of our ministries, believers come in and out of our lives, for months, years, or decades. But sooner or later we’re separated. Then what becomes of them?
Easter Rehearsal
I always thought there was something unique about the Easter service crowd. Visitors from near and far mixed with the familiar faces, lilies crowding the platform, feasts waiting in homes, the sense of anticipation that not even Christmas with all its lights and carols could match. I loved stepping up to say, three times, “Christ is risen!” Then hearing them shout it back to me louder each time, “Christ is risen indeed!”
Who’s Counting?
Numbers aren’t the point; we know that. But if there’s ever a Sunday when we hope for a good turnout, it’s Easter. So we roll out our best music and sermon, the egg hunt for kids, maybe some special advertising. One big church in our neighborhood plans a whole extra service. Small churches would be thrilled if just one new neighborhood family showed up.
Church of the Surefooted
Church names have changed since I was a kid. It used to be that “First Church” or “Calvary Church” worked fine but now congregations have all kinds of code names. However, I’ve yet to see any called “Shaky Church” even though quite a few pastors have served there.
Amen-ers
Amen-ers do more than merely speak. We punctuate God’s promises. We preach in italics and boldface. We become human exclamation marks after Christ’s “Yes.” Amen-ers startle the sleepers and bolster the hesitant. We wake up the room “to the glory of God.” Amen and amen!