Between Sundays “Pastor Appreciation”

         Thank you for the words of encouragement that some of you have offered to me this past year. The ministry a pastor has can have its moments of loneliness and frustration (especially as some regularly inform you of where you messed up). Your encouragement goes a long way.
         I feel the need to apprise the church of what I believe God has asked of me as a pastor. Sure, there is the task of shepherding and care, but in the pulpit there are specific things I am called to that do not always please the listeners who are desiring their agenda take priority. Let me mention what I believe is my priority in the pulpit, and I will use two Bible verses to clarify it:
•  “But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.” — 2 Corinthians 5:9 MSG
•  “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant” — Galatians 1:10 NLT
My prayer is this;  “Heavenly Father, I pray that my ministry is not with the intention of winning the approval of people, but to do the work and speak the words that You have asked that I speak for Your glory. Help me fight the battle in my heart to please people or to even please myself as opposed to pleasing You.”
Pastor Mike
“between Sundays”