“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre (“not for dishonest gain,” NKJV) but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2).
It was in the middle of the morning service. Beautiful special music was taking place. Janice was singing of the Lord’s greatness and glory as Pastor Kenward looked up at the church family. There sat A. who so desperately wanted to get married. Then three rows back and to the left sat M. who was married and didn’t want to be anymore. Yup, in the back stood C. He was part of the security team, and Pastor Kenward knew that he would lay his life down for the church family who stretched out before him. To the left in the back sat B. and F. who had learned they were pregnant again but because of three prior miscarriages had told only Pastor K. Suddenly there was a little commotion in one of the pews. “I can’t believe it,” the Pastor said to himself. “What is happening?” H. was looking at the children on her right and now little Caleb was out of the pew and walking down the center aisle. He was heading straight toward the front. The special music kept going, but you won’t believe what happened next. I’ll tell you tomorrow.
For today: Do you think these situations are unrealistic? Friends, these are just the tip of the iceberg that your pastor knows about and through which he is seeking to shepherd his flock.