This month the teaching theme for our ministry is “The Church.” Twenty years ago, someone asked me what I stand for as a pastor. Here was my answer.
I stand for the liberation of the individual to experience the Lord uniquely and to follow Him with integrity of heart. I believe a shepherd *of* the Lord continually points the people of God *to* the Lord.
I stand for the preeminence of love among Christian virtues and pursuits. I believe love is the frame within which all Christian activity must fit and love is also the scale upon which all Christian activity is weighed by God.
I stand for waiting on the Lord and following as He leads instead of forcing ministry based on what is popular or fashionable. I believe the Lord sets the agenda of ministry by placing each individual in the body as He desires. As each part is encouraged to give what God has given each to give, the ministry takes on a God-given, Spirit-led effect that is alive, genuine and unpredictable.
And twenty years later that remains the view from my place.
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