How to Help Your Pastor

by John Catanzaro

Understand: The first way to help your pastor is to develop understanding and sensitivity to the stress and demands of a pastor's work.

Pray: Secondly, pray for your pastor. A very active prayer ministry to support the pastors in their evangelical work is fundamental to the health of pastors and the church at large.

Grow: Thirdly, mature in the faith. Grow and work to preserve the work of God in your sphere. Do not contribute to confusion, gossip and bitter attitudes. Get involved in action, service, and financial contribution, which are all vital to the health of the Christian mission of proclaiming Christ in your community and the world.

Lead: Finally, faith in action is serving others above what you want in support of the ministry of the church. Don't just get involved in ministry; actively work with the leadership to provide healthy momentum in ministry and to become a personal preacher of the ways of Christ!

Spurgeon

"Down on my knees have I often fallen, with the hot sweat rising from my brow under some fresh slander poured upon me; in an agony of grief my heart has been well-nigh broken;

...This thing I hope I can say from my heart: If to be made as the mire of the streets again, if to be the laughing stock of fools and the song of the drunkard once more will make me more serviceable to my Master, and more useful to his cause, I will prefer it to all this multitude, or to all the applause that man could give."

The Dream

By Scott Thomas

I dream of a body that loves the Lord, loves His word, loves the church, and loves the calling from God to be instruments of righteousness in their community.

I dream of a people who practiced spiritual holiness, rather than judging others for their lack of adherence to man-made rules.

I dream of marriages that visibly demonstrated the relationship of Christ and the church.

I dream of homes that were led by the Holy Spirit, by godly heads of households and by the Scriptures.

I dream of a church that had influence in its community: spiritually, morally, evangelistically, and socially.

I dream of a church that served willingly and enthusiastically according to their spiritual gifts, passions, and God-given abilities.

I dream of a church body that had a burning passion to share the gospel in their city, their state, their nation, and their world and to be a vital link for the establishment of churches all across the world.

I dream of a body that had an insatiable thirst to encounter God in a real, personal, and intimate way.

Praying For Isaac

I met Issac for the first time in June, but have know of him for years. Actually he lives right down the road from me and I know his mom Laura.

Issac offered to help me carry some bulky items out to my car when he saw me struggling with them. I discovered who he was as we walked out to my car together.

I had heard that Isaac had a very specific and unusual career/ministry goal which he confirmed as we walked and talked.

God has purposed in Isaac's heart that he is to serve our country as a Navy SEAL - quite a calling on a young man's life to be sure.

What fascinated me is how very real and clear this call from God is on his life. Isaac KNOWS this is what he is to pursue. He is focused like a laser on his duty and has prepared himself in every way possible to face this challenge.

I did pondered what it would be like as a Mom to have a child with that particular calling, knowing what they would face and endure. Navy SEALs complete some of the most dangerous U.S. military missions imaginable. Their training is beyond intense, and demands the brightest and the best.

After meeting Isaac I have no doubt he is SEAL material.

Before I got in my car I asked Isaac if I could pray for him, and I placed my hand on his shoulder and committed him to our heavenly Father's care. It was such an honor to meet him and to pray over him just days before he left.

Isaac's family has been sending me short updates on Isaac so I can be praying very specifically for him. Last week I received this update which brought tears to my eyes. Isaac's Chaplain had written this note to his family:

"Know that your son is attending to his relationship with our Heavenly Father with all sincerity.

He is a good witness for the Lord among his fellow mates...I am convinced that the work that the Lord has begun in him will bear much fruit as time goes by."

And I know it is true because I have met Isaac and heard his testimony. His goal is to bring honor and glory to Christ. Please pray for Isaac!

Piper on Humility

1. Humility is glad that God gets all the credit for choosing us so that we boast only in him and not man.
2. Humility happily admits that everything we have is a free gift from God, so that we can’t boast in it.
3. Humility is glad to affirm that God sovereignly governs our heartbeats and safe arrivals, or non-arrivals.
4. The root of Christian humility is the gospel that Christ died for our sins. That’s how sinful I was. That’s how dependent I am.
5. Humility gives itself away in serving everyone, rather than seeking to be served.
6. And humility is glad to affirm that this service is true greatness.

The Mission Field We Like To Ignore

Top 10 Least Religious States (Human Events)

1. Vermont 42%
2. New Hampshire 46%
3. Maine 48%
4. Massachusetts 48%
5. Alaska 51%
6. Washington 52%
7. Oregon 53%
8. Rhode Island 53%
9. Nevada 54%
10. Connecticut 55%