Faithful Servants Deserve Our Thanks
October 18, 2018 at 11:42 a.m.
By Ken Locke-
According to Lifeway Ministries, about 250 people leave the ministry every month. Around 50 churches close each week in America.
The stress of ministry can take an inward toll on spouses, family and the shepherd as well. One survey asked, “What do you struggle with most in ministry?” The answer: “loneliness.” But these ministers do amazing things serving their flocks and others in the name of Jesus.
John B. Lowe II is the pastor of New Life Church and World Outreach in Warsaw. He is a dynamo for God, and the church he and his wife, Debbie, have led will celebrate 35 years this Sunday!
I thought it would be interesting to ask someone with this much experience, “What are four things you desire from those who attend your church?” He responded with the following:
• Encounter Jesus in a tangible way.
• Accept the challenge of not letting anyone outlove you.
• Experience consistent transformation.
• Give their life away to the world they live in.
To appreciate pastors, the best thing we can do is to put into practice the truths the Lord places on their hearts as they share the Word with us weekly. They don’t want us to focus on them but on Jesus, and love this world as we grow in His grace and mercy.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
Pray for and support your pastor. There is a spiritual battle going on all around us, and many times pastors are the casualties. Take a moment to thank them and their family.
To Pastors John and Debbie and many others in Kosciusko County who selflessly serve, “Well done, faithful servants!”
Ken Locke is community ministries director of The Salvation Army in Warsaw and director of the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association. Have ideas for this column? Go to www.gwma.info.
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According to Lifeway Ministries, about 250 people leave the ministry every month. Around 50 churches close each week in America.
The stress of ministry can take an inward toll on spouses, family and the shepherd as well. One survey asked, “What do you struggle with most in ministry?” The answer: “loneliness.” But these ministers do amazing things serving their flocks and others in the name of Jesus.
John B. Lowe II is the pastor of New Life Church and World Outreach in Warsaw. He is a dynamo for God, and the church he and his wife, Debbie, have led will celebrate 35 years this Sunday!
I thought it would be interesting to ask someone with this much experience, “What are four things you desire from those who attend your church?” He responded with the following:
• Encounter Jesus in a tangible way.
• Accept the challenge of not letting anyone outlove you.
• Experience consistent transformation.
• Give their life away to the world they live in.
To appreciate pastors, the best thing we can do is to put into practice the truths the Lord places on their hearts as they share the Word with us weekly. They don’t want us to focus on them but on Jesus, and love this world as we grow in His grace and mercy.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
Pray for and support your pastor. There is a spiritual battle going on all around us, and many times pastors are the casualties. Take a moment to thank them and their family.
To Pastors John and Debbie and many others in Kosciusko County who selflessly serve, “Well done, faithful servants!”
Ken Locke is community ministries director of The Salvation Army in Warsaw and director of the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association. Have ideas for this column? Go to www.gwma.info.
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