The GRAND PRIVILEGE OF PASTORING, by Raymond D. Burrows

 
Pastor Raymond D. Burrows and Mrs. Ann Burrows

  In about the year 1990 or midway through Bible college and sitting in a chapel service one day, the Lord called me into the role of pastor and that clear directive was greatly appreciated. Thus, since August 23, 1992, I have enjoyed the privilege of full-time pastoral work for two congregations, i.e., Joanna Assembly of God (1992-1995) and Faith Temple (1995-present). For that privilege, I am extremely grateful to the Lord and to the respective congregations. 

In the Bible, the role of a “pastor” comes from the background of a shepherd. Through Jeremiah, God, to Israel, said, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. In the New Testament, Saint Paul said, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Eph. 4:11-13)

Jesus, of course, is the Master Shepherd and chief example, in terms of shepherding. Noted in John 10:10-14, Jesus said:

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

This classic passage draws a comparison between a true shepherd, a thief, and even a hireling. The thief comes only for selfish reasons and will do everything in his power to exploit and take advantage of the sheep. There is no mercy and he easily kills and destroys the animals. That image relates back to the evil pastors in Jeremiah’s time. Jeremiah 23:1-2 says, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.”

On the other hand, Jesus, as the good shepherd, gives his life for the sheep. In that role, every message spoken by Jesus to the people offered life and hope and his entire ministry was devoted to the welfare and interest of the people. 

In keeping with that precedent, every true pastor endeavors to “feed” the people, under his care. He uses the Word of God, assisted by the Holy Spirit, to provide insight, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge from the Bible, with the hopes that the people systematically develop into the image of Christ. 

Moreover, the Master Shepherd would literally give his life for the sheep meaning that he stood between them and spiritual death. No cost was too big for him to pay, on the account of those beloved sheep. 

In following that example, a true shepherd and/or pastor willingly gives his life, and even physical life, for the welfare of the people. 

A hireling, on the other hand, will not stand and protect the sheep against wild animals like wolves but takes flight meaning that the sheep are at the mercy of predators. Their service is only selfish, nothing more. 

King David, in his famed psalm, had this image in mind and said, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” (Psalm 23:1). He went on to speak of not having fear, even though he walked through a valley where death lurked. Why? His eye was on the good Shepherd and that fact enabled a strong confidence level, in his spirit. 

As earlier noted from Ephesians, Saint Paul taught that pastors/teachers help to perfect or work to mature the saints. The spiritual journey is progressive and is accomplished line-upon-line and precept-upon-precept. The shepherd’s role is to enable that process so that people grow in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Beloved congregation, from the perspective of Mrs. Ann and myself, thanks for being a part of this church family and allowing us to serve you, as pastors. We dearly love each of you and trust that our spiritual journey together is interactively beneficial and helpful. Our motive is to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ; to serve you as faithful pastors who will always have your interests and welfare in mind, at every interval. Blessings, in the name of Jesus, the Christ, Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PASTOR BURROWS SPEAKS OF 'LOVE' AND HIS DEPARTED SON AT THANKSGIVING BANQUET

Faith Temple’s Thanksgiving Dinner evening celebration was held on Wed., Nov. 13, 2024, in Fleming Hall. Mrs. Amanda Campbell organized the event; Mrs. Cindy McCall and Mrs. Anna McCall decorated; Pastor Raymond D. Burrows recognized servers before blessing the food; and Mrs. Ann Burrows led in songs, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Sandra Martin.   “Dear ones, as a church family, if I could have one of my dreams come more fully true, it’s this: that we learn to, or grow into, appreciating our church family more and more,” Pastor said, as he spoke after the meal. “That we not take each other for granted — not in the least.” If we want to appreciate another person and not look down on anyone, we should realize that each person we meet knows something we don’t know, he said.    “That person’s been somewhere you have not been, no matter who you are or where you came from,” he said, adding that such an attitude should “escalate” here in the church family. “It can only happ...
Read more

Mr. JIMMIE LELL HAS 'BEEN BLESSED'

   Mr. Jimmie Lell, 89, born June 2, 1935, is married to Mrs. Sarah Good Lell; they live in Travelers Rest, SC. They joined Faith Temple Church in 1970 and have always belonged to the Willing Workers Sunday School Class. “I remember teachers Emily Reynolds, Connie Bishop, John Few, Jon White, Don Lollis, and Beatrice Whitman,” Jimmie says. “I get a lot out of Sunday School.”     Jimmie’s parents were the late Mr. Lee Roy Lell and Mrs. Carrie Lou Bell Lell. His two brothers have passed on. His sister died at birth.     “Mother died at 54 due to a gall bladder operation,” Jimmie says. “Dad died at 64 from cirrhosis. He drank when younger but quit. After Mother died, he remarried and drank again, socially. I talked to him, but it didn’t do any good.”    Jimmie recalls World War II.     “I remember President Roosevelt. I was seven, and they were going to draft my dad,” Jimmie says. His father worked at Slater Mill (Slater...
Read more

I Know This To Be True -- LINDA TRAMMELL, as told to Jerry Martin

Image
  Ms. Linda Trammell Ms. Linda Trammell gives this testimony for today:  “When I wake up, I thank the Lord for letting me live through the night!” she says. “That is a special blessing. Another day of surprises; I’m just glad to be here to experience whatever comes my way.”    She’s thankful for God’s awesomeness.    “When I go outdoors, I thank Him for the beautiful blue skies, the sunshine, the different trees (this time of the year they so pretty; the different autumn colors), and the flowers that are still blooming. These are things that I am grateful for every day, and I thank Him over and over for them. I can’t help it because it is so awesome. God is awesome! He made all the beautiful things for everyone to enjoy. Simple things, but yet so important.”    She says an occasional rainy day is nice because we usually need the rain and we have a tendency to slow down and read a book or do something that needs to be done that we h...
Read more