Three Pastors I Most Admire
I’m not aware of it’s origin or initiator, but I think it is wonderful that October has been designated as “Pastor’s Appreciation Month.”
As pastors, my wife and I have been overwhelmingly blessed by the cards, gifts, and words of encouragement that have come from our New Hope family over the past several weeks, particularly as we recently celebrated twenty years of ministry at New Hope Worship Center!
As grateful as I am for the honor I have received during Pastor’s Appreciation Month, I am grateful for those whom I have had the privilege to call “Pastor” – three, in particular, each of whom profoundly and eternally impacted my life.
By far, the pastors who most influenced me are my parents, Jon and Helen Jenkins. I was a pastor’s kid – and thankful for the life and experiences we shared. Of the many life-lessons I learned from my parent-pastors, two are obvious to me.
When my dad and I went anywhere in our community, people knew him…and liked him. He was well respected because he was kind. Yes, sometimes he was corny (ha!) – but only to his teenage son. I learned from him that love, kindness, generosity, and respect are great ways to earn relational equity with people you hope to reach with Jesus’ love. Ministry is built on relationship.
As much as I learned from my dad, my personality more resembles my mom’s. I’m thankful for the disciplines and approach to life that I gained from her, but one particular thing is that she gave me a love for music and singing. As a child I was comforted by my mom’s voice. Her singing ministered to me in both parental and pastoral settings. She played the piano and sang – not for people, but to Jesus. She worshipped Jesus with her heart. Not only did I learn to harmonize by listening to her singing the alto part; more importantly, I learned to lift up my voice to sing unto The Lord with all of my heart.
Another set of pastors I hold in great honor are Arlen and Margaret Swinger. I knew them as “Uncle” and “Aunt” (she is my dad’s sister), until the day they hired me to join their staff, at which time they became my pastors. I had been familiar with their ministry, and respected them highly as pastors. But it was while serving alongside of them in ministry that I saw firsthand what “grace” really looked like. Theirs was not an easy tenure of ministry in those years. They encountered distrust and disrespect, yet composed themselves in Christ-like grace. And when The Lord directed them to another assignment in ministry, they supported my decision to remain where I believed God still wanted us to be. This year, as I celebrate twenty years of ministry at New Hope, I not only remember with gratitude that Uncle Arlen and Aunt Margaret brought us here in the first place, I also honor their example of how to have grace under fire.
The third couple I want to honor for Pastor’s Appreciation are the ones who remain my pastors to this day – Pastor Gary and Teri Clouse. Words simply can’t express the love, support, wisdom, and value they have brought to me as a pastor and a person. Pastor Gary believes in me. He challenges me. He listens to me. He is, quite honestly, the most generous person I know. Teri prays for us. She was like Mary Poppins to our kids. She encourages us with the Word, and great discernment.
Several years ago Pastor Gary and I were in his car, heading to their home, talking about life and ministry. Suddenly, from the back seat, my young son seemed to have an epiphany! He blurted out, “Ohhhh, I get it now! Pastor Gary is Obi-Wan Kenobi and you’re Luke Skywalker!” All I know is that I love learning from him.
These men and women of God have shaped my life. Without them I would not be who I am. They invested into my marriage, my family, my hopes, and my dreams.
Dad and Mom – thank you.
Uncle Arlen and Aunt Margaret – thank you.
Pastor Gary and Teri – thank you.
I am honored to call you my pastors.
Father, today I want to thank You for the pastors in my life. May Your peace guard their hearts and minds. May Your joy be their strength. May their families be healthy – spirit, soul, and body. May their needs be met with Your abundance. And may they know the love and gratitude I have for them, and the impact they have made in the world.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Someone to Settle the Conflict
And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. (Acts 15:12 ESV)
Conflict.
There’s no such thing as a life without conflict. Conflict arises in marriages and among families. Conflict can be found on the job and in business meetings. Conflict occurs in traffic jams and holiday shopping. Even the innocence of childhood can be interrupted by conflict, as each child says, “Mine!”
The fact that conflict can also be found in the church is not a sign of hypocrisy, but, rather, evidence of our humanity.
The early church experienced conflict, both from without and within – the latter being more dangerous than the former. Implosions are often more destructive than explosions.
A potential implosion loomed over the early church, threatening to destroy and divide the body of Christ in it’s formative years. The issue at hand was what requirements were to be met in order for Gentiles (non-Jews) to receive salvation.
Some demanded circumcision. Some demanded they follow all of the Law. Some didn’t think Gentiles could EVER be saved.
The conflict was evident and was not going to self-soothe. Someone had to come in and settle the conflict.
That’s when Barnabas and Paul came. These men were well respected, faithful, proven leaders. They listened carefully, discerned the will of God, and spoke with wisdom and authority.
And when they spoke…people listened.
Spiritual fathers and mothers have a God-given voice – one that penetrates the chaos of disunity, brings needed course correction, and settles the conflict, while also respecting and honoring everyone involved.
Spiritual fathers and mothers “speak the truth in love.”
Oh, how desperate we are for those voices of wisdom to be heard today! One of the fallouts of the disintegration of the family is that we’ve become a society of unresolved conflict.
We need fathers and mothers of the faith to occupy their God-given roles, to settle our conflicts, and to speak peace to the storms of life.
In light of this truth, I am reminded of three action-steps we ought to consider:
1. Identify the spiritual fathers and mothers in our lives, and “press in” to their wisdom. Our thirst should compel us to come to these “wells of wisdom,” bucket in hand, ready to draw out what we so desperately desire.
2. Pray for spiritual fathers and mothers to recognize and live in the authority of their roles. We can only receive what they are willing to give.
3. Invest intentionally into the next generation. The Bible says, “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” The fathers turn their hearts FIRST; then the children respond.
Father,
Thank You for the spiritual fathers and mothers in my life. Thank You for the wisdom they provide for me.
Raise up more men and women of faith to walk in their calling. And, continue to work in me to make me a well of wisdom and a voice of peace to a generation I so deeply love.
Amen.
How to Be and Stay Filled with the Holy Spirit
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31 ESV)
Prayer is the catalyst for being and remaining filled with the Holy Spirit.
After declaring healing to a lame man, Peter and John were threatened by the High Priest not to invoke the name of Jesus ever again.
They responded by gathering with other believers and calling on Jesus through prayer. They did not pray for escape; they prayed for boldness!
It is in the atmosphere of sincere faith and passionate prayer that God releases His Spirit to overflow His people. The entire group was filled with the Spirit while they prayed; then they spoke with great boldness, despite the resistance.
I am aware of my daily need to be filled with God’s Spirit. The weight of responsibility I carry, the people for whom I am responsible, and the family God has entrusted to me ALL need me to be filled with, led by, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Not only does the Bible repeatedly remind me to “be filled (continually) with the Spirit,” it also reveals HOW to be and stay filled!
1. Pray. “Ask and you will receive.” The promise of being filled with the Spirit is given to every believer! We simply ask Jesus to fill us, and we receive by faith. Prayer is what opens out hearts to receive all that He has promised; and prayer focuses our attention on the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
2. Worship. There is an undeniable correlation between Spirit-fullness and worship! The Bible says that the result of being filled with the Spirit is “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Worship sets the atmosphere for the presence of God, and welcomes all He has to offer!
3. The Word. Many people do not believe they can be filled with the Holy Spirit. They have a misunderstanding (or a lack of understanding) of the Word. God’s gifts are all received by faith. Faith is not a conjured feeling, but a revelation (unveiling) of the Word of God, which illuminates our spirits to believe what God already promised.
If you desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit, dig into the Word and allow your faith to be stirred; seek Jesus in prayer – He is the One who gives His Spirit freely to us who believe; lift up your soul in worship – fix your eyes on Jesus and allow His presence and power to fill you.
Simply receive.
Father,
I pray for my brothers and sisters who read this today. Fill them to overflowing with Your Spirit. Grant them boldness! May we all be “world changers” through the power of Your Spirit.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Honesty and Hope Are Not Mutually Exclusive
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Luke 21:33 ESV)
Hope without honesty leads to despair.
Jesus always gave people hope, but He never withheld the sometimes harsh realities that would be encountered along the way.
In Luke 21 Jesus spoke in detail about the impending persecution that awaited His followers. He told them of wars, destruction, and oppression. He challenged them to be ready, to be strong, and to be on guard.
Typically people either sway toward “ignorant bliss,” where everything should have fairy tale endings, OR “gloomy skepticism,” where life is hard and heavy with only blips of happiness as we await the “sweet by and by.”
But Jesus did not view honesty and hope as being mutually exclusive.
He said: “Heaven and earth will pass away…” That honest realty has practical implications to our lives. As believers in Jesus Christ we must hold loosely the things of this world, knowing that life on earth is temporary and not to be wasted.
But Jesus also said: “…but My words will never pass away.” Every promise Jesus declared is true and will manifest. That which is earthly will be pale in comparison with that which is eternal. Eternal life is worth earthly death.
Throughout Scripture we find this embrace of hope and honesty. “In this world you will have tribulation” (honesty); “but be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world!” (hope).
Whatever you face in life…face it while embracing both hope and honesty. Let them be your companions, standing on each side of you as you walk this journey from earth to eternity.
Refuse to walk in denial.
But refuse to walk in dismay.Father,
I pray that I would have faith to embrace honesty while never letting go of hope.In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Your Sorrow Can Be Turned to JOY
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5, 6 ESV)
The psalmist not only reflected back on the faithfulness of God who had brought them out of bondage, he also spoke prophetically of the day when the tears of God’s people would be replaced with laughter and joy – forever!
The bible is clear regarding the difficult times we face. Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!”
Everyone, at some time or another, experiences the tears of life – the challenging, character-testing, life-altering moments during which we grasp for hope, peace, and joy. Believers are not exempt from these times.
The question is, how will you respond?
Recently I spoke with a young lady who is walking through a time of tears. When she found out she was pregnant, her boyfriend abandoned her because she would not abort her baby. A short time later she miscarried.
Yesterday I prayed for a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer. The doctors have given her a short time to live.
A married man in his late forties/early fifties has, in the last several years, faced anxiety and depression. His career, his marriage, his family, and his well-being have all suffered.
We all face challenges in life that strike deeply and bring us to the brink of tears, whether inwardly or outwardly.
How, then, should you respond?
It is very important that you hear this. Seasons of sorrow must be seen as seasons of “sowing.”
We “sow” with our words, specifically by lining up our words with God’s word and declaring it by faith.
Joy is released through your words of faith.
Joy is released through your songs of praise.
Joy is released through your shout of victory.
Those who, despite the tears, choose to sow words of faith will, in due season, reap a harvest of laughter, joy, and peace.
The fruit of the spirit begins with seeds of faith. Love begins as a seed. Joy begins as a seed. Peace begins as a seed.
Your tears can be turned into a water supply, causing the seed of God’s word to open up and become fruitful.
Do not sorrow, as if there is no hope. The joy of The Lord is your strength. Your harvest is only one season away from your sowing.
If you will sow in tears, you will reap in joy!
Father,
I pray for those who are fighting back tears. May those tears never hold them back from sowing seeds of faith. And may those seeds become a harvest of joy and laughter, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Pastor Dale Jenkins 