Overview

"This is a heartfelt book. I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in 1977. I answered Jesus' call to ministry in 1980. So, I have been in ministry for many years. And being in ministry I am familiar with the unique issues people go through who serve the Lord. I have been the pastor of two churches during this time. I pastored in a denomination and a nondenominational church. The church I have served in since 1993 is a church the Lord used me to plant. For the first 17 years or so, I was bi-vocational; the Lord provided for my family and I through various jobs and eventually in a position as a caseworker in the foster care system. During this time, I can truthfully say that where God guided, God provided. He has been faithful to meet all our needs. I believe that is true whenever and wherever you serve in God's will. I have a special place in my heart for my fellow pastors, especially senior pastors, or pastors who oversee a church. I know there are some things that only a pastor can relate to with another pastor. This book is an effort to say to you, ""I'm here for you."" I don't know what the response will be to this book, but as much as possible, I would be more than welcoming and happy to enter into a conversation with anyone who would be interested in doing so. Having said that, I want to add, this is not a book only for pastors or ministers. I don't say that just to broaden a target readership. I have come to believe that all Christians are called to serve the Lord in whatever station in life God has placed them. You can be an ambassador for Christ whether you are a homemaker, construction worker, teacher, work in the medical field, serve politically, serve in the military, serve in sports, in any and all life positions, and yes, even if you are a pastor of some sort, God calls you to represent Him. It's not always easy serving the Lord. But it's always worth it. If you define ""joy"" properly, ministry is always joyful. Having said that, ministry is seldom if ever easy. Oh, the Holy Spirit is our Helper of course. Any increase or blessing in ministry is God's accomplishment (cf. 1 Cor. 3:7). But ministry will cost you. Ministry involves denying yourself, picking up the cross of mission, and following Jesus; walking as He walked. And if you do that, like Jesus, you will minister with ""the joy set before"" you (Hebrew 12:1-2). Some of you who read this book are just beginning to sense God's call on your life. You are searching to see if God is calling you to serve Him. To you I say from the start, God calls all Christians to service. It might not be as a pastor, but all Christians are called to serve the Lord in some capacity. And if you are wondering and praying about whether or not God is calling you to be a pastor, chapter 4 provides some things to consider to help you determine if you are. As you continue, I pray God uses this book to edify and counsel you about serving Him. I pray this book will give you a greater appreciation for the honor and privilege it is to serve the Lord. I hope and pray you will have a greater appreciation and skill using God's word because of what will be shared in this study. I hope and pray you will be encouraged. I hope and pray you will be directed. I hope and pray you will be enabled. I hope and pray God is glorified in and through you, to some humble degree, because of what you will learn from this book."

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