Run with Endurance...

"In the fifth and sixth centuries, Gildas and Salvian arose to alert a careless church and a formal ministry. In the sixteenth century, the same task faced the Reformers. In the seventeenth century, Baxter and others took a prominent part in stimulating the lethargic devotion and dormant energy of his fellow ministers. In the eighteenth century, God raised up some choice and noble men to awaken the church and lead the way to a higher and bolder career of ministerial duty. The present century stands no less in need of some such stimulating influence. We have experienced many symptoms of life, but still the masses are not quickened. We require some new Baxter to arouse us by his voice and his example. It is distressing to see the amount of ministerial fatigue and inefficiency that still spreads over our land. How long, O Lord, how long?"

~ Bonar, Horatius. A Word to Fellow Pastors 

and Other Christian Leaders

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

~ Hebrews 12:1-3

"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth."

- John Wesley

Blended Qualities...

"Two dangers exist for pastors when it comes to setting standards for success. One is to shoot for the moon. The other is to throw in the towel... 

Who is more successful: the pastor who grows a large church or the one who maintains a church in a stagnant area? The pastor who preaches to thousands or the one who lovingly cares for individuals one by one? The pastor who impatiently pushes people to deeper discipleship or the pastor who patiently accepts the shortcomings of his people?

YES.

Faithfulness, shepherding, teaching, patience, perseverance, growth, progress— these are some of the facets of the diamond of success. Each alone won’t bring glory to God, but together they make a lustrous offering to him."

~  Stuart Briscoe, Measuring Success, In Measuring up: the need to succeed and the fear of failure 

As you stand on the threshold of a New Year with so many expectations, may you maintain the blended qualities that bring the greatest possible glory to God and ... Don't throw in the towel!! 

~ PJVS

Questions for a New Year...

As we begin a new year in ministry, let's take a moment to reflect on the following words from "The Heart Of A Great Pastor" by H. B. London Jr. & Neal B. Wiseman... 

"Every pastor in the thick of the struggle must answer significant questions, the answers to which will shape his ministry and determine his effectiveness: 

• What difference will I make? 

• Why am I here? 

• Who sent me? 

•  Is this assignment sacred because God placed me here? 

•  What does God want to accomplish through me? 

Every assignment is holy ground because Jesus gave Himself for the people who live there. Every place is important because God wants something incredibly important to be accomplished there through us. Every situation is special because ministry is needed in that place. Like Queen Esther, we have come to the Kingdom for a time like this."

“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” 
― Jim Elliot, Martyred Missionary  

May you make a difference for Jesus in 2024

~ PJVS

In It's Time...

“It is not my strength that grows, so much as God's strength in me, which is given more abundantly as the days roll. It is so given on one condition. If my faith has laid hold of the infinite, the exhaustless, the immortal energy of God, unless there is something fearfully wrong about me, I shall be getting purer, nobler, wiser, more observant of His will; gentler, like Christ; every way fitter for His service, and for larger service, as the days increase.” ~ Alexander Maclaren

As I recently observed summer slip into fall, and fall slowly slip away toward winter, I couldn't help but be instructed. Ministry progresses at one speed... HIS. Just as I could never cause seasons to change faster, neither could I ever cause God's work to move faster than He planned. Since patience comes to us in the fruit of the Spirit, we have all that we need to "lay hold of the infinite, the exhaustless, the immortal energy of God" and wait for seasons to pass and harvest to come. I pray that you will stay the course my brother... and wait! Why? Because He still "makes everything beautiful in its time."

Keep looking up to the One who renews our strength,

~ PJVS

Been with Jesus...

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13

As far back as the 12th century, apprenticeships were a large part of learning a trade. Parents would often place their teenage son under the instruction of a Guild's Master craftsman. After 5 to 9 years the young man would most likely become highly skilled in the specified trade. His future success as a craftsman would depend on who he had been with during his years of training.

While the disciples were uneducated, common men, they had spent three years with Jesus. They sat under his teaching and joined him in a great many ministry activities. They had become highly skilled servants and preachers of the Gospel. But what was most significant was not so much the lessons learned as the One they had been with during their years of training.

When you minister from week to week, what do people observe most of all? Are they impressed with your Bible knowledge, or is it your vast church experience? Do you have an impressive resume from the best Bible Colleges and Seminaries? These will never have the same lasting impact as WHO you spent time with in preparation. Every day and every week, your skill in ministry should be rooted in this fact: that you have been with Jesus. 

- PJVS

"David Brainerd died at the home of Jonathan Edwards when he was 29 years old. During the few years of his life, he had such a passion for God that nothing else could satiate his heart. He would kneel in the snow and be so lost in worship, prayer and intercession that when he was through, the snow would melt around him in a wide circle. We need passion like that today. Oh, for men and women who have such a longing for God that everything else in their life would be pushed away!"

~ Tozer, A. W.. My Daily Pursuit: Devotions for Every Day

Why You're There...

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." ~ Matthew 9:36

As you're reading through all your seminary notes on how to effectively minister in an upside-down, inside-out world, here are a few words of focus in the midst of the confusion. 

"When genuinely hurting people call, pastors know they were ordained “for such a time as this” and move with compassion. “A man in our congregation, a sweet Southern-gentleman kind of guy about seventy years old, came down with a brain tumor about two weeks ago and died within a week,” said Steve Harris. “To be in that little room with his wife and their kids when they found out, and to have them later say ‘Thank you for being there,’— that’s when I sense I’m doing what God put me here for.”

    ~ Kevin A. Miller,  Secrets Of Staying Power

Over the years I've wept with and prayed for families who lost their children unexpectedly, others who lost mates to suicide, and families who lost their homes and all their earthly possessions tragically. The list goes on without number, as does yours. As your ministry continues, you may be sure that unexpected tragedies will continue as well. I encourage you to count each encounter as an incredible privilege to be the heart and hand of God for broken lives... For the Lord has truly ordained you "for such a time as this" You may be confident that our Lord will give you strength and words of compassion as you do what He put you here for. Love them like Jesus my friend, love them like Jesus. 

~ PJVS

Stay the Course ...

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first... I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first." - Revelation 2:4-5, 19

 In the film "The Patriot" there is an underlying theme that contrasts the patriotic passions of a father and son. Age and experience had dampened the father's passion, while youth and idealism fired the son's. At the same time a phrase from the past is mentioned numerous times; "Stay the Course". As the story develops, the father comes to put his guilt, fears and reservations aside for a new vision and renewed patriotic passion. In the end, he was determined to "Stay the Course".

  As Jesus addressed the early churches, he found a similar contrast. One church had, through time and experience lost her first love, while another church, through love and faith did more than she did in the beginning. For the one church, time had taken its toll. For the other church, time had stoked the fire. Jesus commended the second church for staying the course.

 Are you doing more for the Lord today than when you first began? Or, have recent experiences dampened your spiritual passion? Has time eaten away at your vision and drive for the kingdom of God? Remember, and return to your first love and... "Stay the Course"!

~ PJVS