It was ten years ago that we received a call from
a friend who told us that they had visited a small country church that was in
desperate need of a pastor. We had never been in that role in the ministry
before but decided to attend their business meeting to see what we could do to
help. My husband offered to be a guest
speaker until they could find a pastor. Two weeks they hired my husband and
that was all she wrote.
There are honestly still people out there that
believe a pastor only works one day a week. However, I have been witness to the
long hours my husband has worked. It is amazing the things that fall under the
job duty as “Pastor”. Of course there is the marrying and the burying of people
which comes with planning the details of those ceremonies on top of the
counseling that is required for both. People have brought race cars to our
church to be prayed over. Numerous calls from people outside the church come in
for financial aid. People need odds and ends jobs done, but can't afford to
really hire anybody so they call the pastor and he goes. The church needs
cleaned and the grounds need kept. Questions need answered during the day and
at times it seems the phone is glued to his ear. Last year, twice he was called
on to bury the dogs of people that do not even attend the church. He consoles
the owners over the lost pets. One of those nights included my sons (who usually end up being his right hand men) and their
friend who was staying the night to go out at 9 p.m. with my husband during a storm to dig a
hole for a woman who had to have her dog put down. The ground was hard as a
rock and digging well past 10 o'clock, they had to use the lights of the truck
in order to see.
That’s not all though. Truth needs spoken and
that is not always received well. Relationships need building. The youth need
supported in their events so there are always wrestling matches and softball
games, etc. to attend outside of attending our own children's sports. Putting
on the counselor's hat at 2 a.m. or 5:30 a.m. happens as he is still rubbing
the sleep from his eyes. Protection of the flock has been revealed in many different
forms and it is never easy finding that balance.
Oh! But wait! That's not all! Now the pastor, through all that, has to make sure to make
time to put a Bible study together and a Sunday morning message and figure out
the children's program so we can secure the future of the church. He has to keep people excited about the work that needs to be done for the Lord. He needs to be gentle no matter what attitudes he comes up against.
I have seen my husband overjoyed with the
opportunity that has been laid before him and I have seen my husband shed many
tears over numerous situations. I have seen him wrestle in prayer over those
in our church. I have never met a man
with a deeper passion for the Lord. Yes,
my husband works one day…one day at a time that is. He is the first to say, “Here am I, send me!” To quote his very first sermon he has been able to master "Keep on Keepin' On!" With all of this on his plate, he has been able to keep a healthy balance of family and church. My husband rocks!
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