Growing a Pastor’s Heart
Father God, in my prayer time you gave me this topic for today. It is something that I need to do. It is also something you want all of us to do. Please teach us today about how to better grow our hearts to be better pastors to your people.
Dear child, first, you need to care more about serving others that you do about serving yourself. It is the S of SOLIDpastors: Serve. The scripture I gave you for this, Mark 10:45, is something to fully embrace.
Father God, it says: “For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NIV
A HEART OF SERVICE
Yes, my child. A pastor’s heart is a heart of service. Serving others before serving self. Give your life for me. Let me have my way with you.
Yes Father, have your way with me, and with all ministry leaders and pastors who are yours. Some are not yours Lord. May they step down from pastoring if they do not belong in that role.
My child: 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV. Anyone trying to please themselves is disqualified from being a ministry leader or pastor.
Thank you for showing us what is required Lord. So what I am understanding, is this, that to have a pastor’s heart means to be willing to care more about serving others in the name of Christ, with the love of Christ, and for the cause of Christ, than I do about serving myself.
• IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
• WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST
• FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST
Yes, my child. And to grow your heart, you must empty it of desires for selfish things. I care about the motives of your actions. Why are you doing what you are doing. And, you are called to please me, and me alone. You are not to worry about being judged by men. I alone are your judge. You are here to please me, only. To serve me, only. I called you. You answered the call. Be bold in your role as a ministry leader. You are here to lead. Lead with completely unselfish motives. Serve me, and you will serve my people.
Wow. That is a lot to digest. Let me see if I can summarize for those reading this, and for myself:
1. Christ alone is our judge; do not fear the judgement of man.
2. Serve Christ with a passion for excellence.
3. Avoid any type of self-serving behavior or motives; fully embrace Mark 10:45; we are here to serve you, and therefore, your people.
Yes, my child. You captured that well. Every pastor or ministry leader has a different behavioral makeup. I have made you unique and special. Do not judge each other, and do not judge yourselves. I use all of your for my purposes. Embrace how I have made you. Don’t try to conform into a mold of what you think a pastor or ministry leader should be. Remember the lesson from Monday’s time with me: 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:22-23 NIV
Dear Father, we adore you and praise your Holy Name. We thank you for calling us into ministry, and ask you to bolster us with your Holy Spirit. We surrender to you and your will, and fully embrace a lifetime of service, of serving your people. Help those who are not suited for selfless service to recognize this and step down from their official, public ministry leadership roles. Also, please help those who you are calling, to step up into SERVICE roles, even though they don’t think that fit the “mold” of a pastor. Even through they don’t have the emotional makeup that they “think” a pastor should have. We are all called to SERVE CHRIST. We are all called to have a pastor’s heart. May we all answer that call.
Brothers and Sisters, may we all be encouraged today. May we all reflect on God’s Holy Word for us from the Apostle Paul: 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NIV. Our reward is eternal.
Happy Almost Easter!
He is Risen.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
5 April 2023
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