Daily Encouragement (6/10/20) "A Pastor's Job Description"

Published: Wed, 06/10/20

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2020

On my neighborhood walk I discovered this beautiful treasure trove of flowers in a professionally landscaped back yard somewhat tucked away from the street view. I have met the woman who lives here and complimented her flowers in the front, now I'll have to do so for the back yard.

"A Pastor's Job Description"

Message summary: Today, let us faithfully teach about the power of God and not conceal the ways of the Almighty!

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“I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal” (Job 27:11).

For twenty-five years from 1976 till 2001 my professional identity was primarily that of a local pastor, with Brooksyne serving right alongside me in so many important positions. Most of our time was in two churches, one in northern Pennsylvania and the other in Massachusetts. For almost twenty years now our ministry has been serving as business chaplains and writing these daily messages, alongside some interim pastoral roles here and there.

Through the years I’ve wondered how children perceive my work as a pastor and periodically asked them, “What does a pastor do?” Their answers range from “He cleans the church”; “He takes cares of the church”; “He prays for the sick”; and the obvious answer, “He preaches to the people".”

But the most humorous description of my role happened about 35 years ago in a church we served in a small town in upstate Pennsylvania.

Many children have lived with us through the years, both short-term and long-term, beginning our first year of marriage when we hosted two boys from a children's home in Arkansas over Christmas vacation. We've had foster children rescued from troubled families living with us as well as critically ill children from third world countries receiving life-saving medical treatment.

For many years we also participated in the “Fresh Air Fund”, a program that brings needy children from the inner city of New York City to suburban and rural areas during the summertime. They'd stay for several weeks to get some fresh air and to experience life outside the city.

One summer our assigned child was Joseph, who was about eight years old with a very spunky personality. Several other fresh air kids were also staying with various families in our church. Since many of them were black it was easy to identify them in our all-white congregation.

One Sunday a church board member tried to strike up a friendly conversation with Joseph and asked, “Who are you staying with?” He pointed up to me and responded rather proudly, “’Da boss of ‘da church!” (I don’t know if Joseph had any church background, but in his mind the pastor was 'da boss!)

But my most heartening job description came from little six-year-old Jeffrey in the church we served in New England. He knew I was the pastor so I asked him what the pastor does. He replied, “Teach people to believe in God”. Now that’s a very good, succinct answer that properly describes the greatest responsibility of a pastor.

Job is responding to his three "friends" in the daily text. I like to consider it Job’s job description for any faithful pastor and really for all believers. “I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal.” Today, let us faithfully teach about the power of God and not conceal the ways of the Almighty!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we are deeply grateful for those You have called and equipped to others about the power of Christ and His salvation that saves us from being a sinful, self-serving people to a holy, compassionate, and generous people. It is Your almighty power released in us that accomplishes miraculous change in us for the betterment of here and now and for the Kingdom of heaven as well. As we influence others may the working power of Your Holy Spirit be evident in our attitudes, actions, and ambitions of life. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

One more story: Another memorable experience we had with Joseph was during a meal at McDonalds. Like many Christians we offer a brief prayer for our meals not only at home but also in public restaurants. After ordering our food we sat down at the table, joined hands, and I asked that we bow our heads for prayer. Knowing what was coming next Joseph reluctantly obeyed, but before doing so his eyes darted to the right and left at the people eating around us before he nervously exclaimed, “We ain’t gonna do that in here are we?” We did, of course, and I hope that he, as an adult, might actually be doing the same with his family!

Our longest time Fresh Air child was Rafael, whom we hosted for about 7 years.

The last several days we have had this mystery bird at our suet feeder.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"I Sing The Mighty Power Of God" Video The Ball Brothers

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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