March 26, 2001
TOGETHER:
God bless the pastors called to Texas Baptist churches
___First Baptist Church in Arlington recently honored Henard East for 50 years of service to the church.
___He came in 1951 to be pastor of a 1,600-member church in a town of 7,000. Across the 25 years of his pastorate, the church grew significantly and started many new churches to serve what is now a city of more than 330,000.
___He served as pastor emeritus for the next 25 years. I followed him as pastor, and he was my finest supporter and closest associate in ministry. He is a role model for any pastor who wants to stay in the church after the pastorate. Many say it can't be done. But Henard East showed otherwise.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___This is my tribute to him and to all who have been called to pastor a church.
___A pastor is invited into the hearts and minds of a people. A pastor shares in their spiritual journeys, their inner stirrings as God calls them to service and their search for biblical instruction. A pastor challenges them to allow their Christian calling to shine through in the decisions they make and the actions they take.
___A pastor knows the joys of the people. When babies are born, when children give their lives to Christ, when achievements are recognized, a pastor celebrates alongside the people. When young adults marry, the pastor helps them prepare for marriage and stands beside them as they pledge their vows in front of God's people.?
___A pastor knows their sorrows too.
___A pastor is there for the death of a child, a parent, a brother or sister, a wife or husband. The loss of a job, a promotion, a career, a business, a reputation. The collapse of a future, a dream, a marriage. The sorrow and embarrassment that sin leaves behind.
___To preach God's truth to these people who gather for church on Sunday is a daunting challenge.
___Who dares to stand before them and speak for God? So, the pastor prays: "God, make these words you have put on my lips catch fire in their hearts and let these people sing again. Cleanse me and cleanse them. Let your truth be proclaimed so that darkness and confusion must flee before its power."
___We know that it is not just words spoken. It is life lived and character observed.
___The pastor prays: "Lord, keep growing me up into the likeness of Christ. Guard my steps and guide my way, soften my heart and strengthen my resolve, so that wherever I go, people will sense that I have been with you."
___Pastors are called to teach the Great Commands (Matthew 22:37-39) and help fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Together, the pastor and people begin to live their lives in the shape of the cross, reaching up in adoration of the Father and reaching out in love to people around them.
___What is the result of a pastor's calling and presence in a community?
___It is a family of faith shaped by God so that an entire community becomes different. It is people saved by the grace of God, included in the family of God, serving by the word of God and worshipping in the Spirit of God. It is people growing by the discipline of God and fulfilling the Great Commission of God.
___God bless you, Henard East. And God bless all the pastors in all our churches.
___We are loved.
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