shepherding the shepherd
from PreachingToday.com
What’s Become of Them?
We do most of our ministry on this bright side of salvation. The Holy Spirit enlists us to feed, lead, and guard those whom he has immortalized. Remember when Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven”? Or the “sinful woman” whom Jesus told, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace”? People like that are entrusted to pastors.
Persuading the Poor
In league with the Spirit, pastor-proclaimers initiate and accompany paupers into this counterintuitive economy of God’s kingdom.
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
When the Spirit was upon Jesus the effect was astonishing authority. The same kind of authority that banished demons was present when he proclaimed good news to the poor, and, for that matter, later when he raised the dead. Instead of being passive listeners, people found themselves spellbound, as subjects hearing the king. Teaching seems almost too mild a word for what Jesus did. He decreed; he proclaimed.
Falling Off a Log
Trying to keep up with the Parsons invariably pits us against someone else’s gifts or efforts. Such mimicry doesn’t bear fruit. Remember how Pharaoh’s sorcerers tried to match Moses’ miraculous signs? We can come dangerously close to that.
Logrolling and Logjams
You may not have given much thought to logrolling, so let me enlighten you. … Every pastor is well-acquainted with ministry logjams.
Beginning with the Breath
In the beginning God created ex nihilo—from nothing. Ezekiel, in his vision of bones and breath, saw God re-create ex mortuis—from the dead; from the condemned dead, to be specific. That is the greater miracle!
“Then he said to [Ezekiel], “Prophesy to the breath;….'”