Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

  • Jalen Lands,
    Renew Church, Baton Rouge
  • Nate Reno,
    Renew Church, Baton Rouge
  • Alton Pecanty,
    First Baptist Vidalia
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archives
  • John 3:16
  • Louisiana
  • U.S.
  • Intl.
  • Culture
  • Commentary

Pastor Mike Evans

Give the gift of encouragement to your pastor

June 15, 2018

By Michael Evans

Most everyone has heard the story about the turtle found atop the fence post and how that we can be sure that the turtle did not get that high by himself and must have had help.

Pastors and these turtles are somewhat alike in that they find themselves at heights they may never have expected to be and they are there because of the support of the Holy Spirit and their family and hopefully, their congregation. Most good pastors know that their position is a precarious and a fragile existence and they have heard the horror stories of pastors being let go faster than the forming of a Texas tornado. They have also heard the dreaded phone call after midnight when a member frantically begs for help after losing a loved one unexpectedly.

Never mind that the same voice on the line may have once half jestingly told that pastor that he should be ashamed for taking a salary for only working 2 hours a week. The pastor will dutifully get going to help as fast as possible and though he may think as he drives about how that comment hurt him and his wife then, he will not protest openly that for that one salary the church is getting at minimum two for one and sometimes more from him and his family.

I feel almost guilty when I tell other pastors that I have a better church than I deserve and that my main mission there is to not mess things up. Sadly, this is not the case in some churches. But every church could be the blessing that my church is to me by doing only a few simple things.

One is to just let go of a few compliments as easily as teasing the pastor or his wife comes for some. And although a smile at them might seem likely to break the faces of some in the congregation, it would likely be reflected back and could even start a chain reaction that might break out into laughter and good fellowship.

I know that we all are concerned about baptisms and giving and rightly so, but the gift of a hug or a smile or a kind word to the pastor and his family might be the best thing you will do for the Lord and His kingdom cause this Sunday.  A hug or a smile not given is tantamount to a plane leaving the airport for a destination with an empty seat when someone may have desperately needed to be on that plane.

So would you please help to “Save the Louisiana Baptist Pastor Turtles on a fence post” this week by supporting your pastor and giving an “attaboy” or “attagirl”! You have my permission to start an organization or form a committee and make yourself the chairman. It could catch fire.

But more importantly, you could catch yourself on fire for the Lord and begin a revival in your church. The great 1904 Welsh Revival began with just one little girl standing up and proclaiming her love for Jesus Christ to the whole congregation.

The Evil One knows that the message of Christ cannot be diminished and so he attacks the messenger of the Lord. Please do not ever aid him in that quest. Pastors are human and when they are wrong, then correction should be instituted.

But if that pastor or his family is not doing anything illegal or immoral or perhaps fattening….then cut them some slack and pray for them and encourage them. Trust me. They really do need it and will appreciate it and so will I and so will the Lord.

Michael Evans is pastor of Elwood Baptist Church in Forest Hill.

 

 

Comments

Search

Search
Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt
Search in comments
Filter by Custom Post Type

Editorial

Turning failure into triumph

By Rick Warren "A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful” (Proverbs 28:13 TLB). We usually think of failure as something negative. But wise people know how to take advantage of it. They learn from it. They use it as an education. Failure is one of the primary tools that God uses in … Continue Reading.

Widgets In Tabs

  • Trending

    • Louisiana College quits CCCU over LGBT policy
    • Life movement marches on in Louisiana
    • Cancer battle brings victory in Vidalia
    • What Bible version do pastors like best?
    • New believers abound at New Prospect
    • OPEN LETTER: Russell Moore does not represent me, a Black Christian
  • Recent

    Pat Trembly honored as Global Maritime Ministries Board Member of the Year

    New poll: state overwhelmingly supports life

    WWII veteran buys $1,500 worth of Chick-Fil-A for military families to celebrate 92nd birthday

    ‘The Chosen’ attracts crowdfunders looking for faith-based TV and a return on investment

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez celebrated Amazon pulling out of New York – but the governor says it cost the city 25,000 jobs

    Turning failure into triumph

  • Must Read

    LC’s enrollment continues to climb

    NFL veteran & wife make ultrasound gift to New Orleans

    Georgia Barnette Offering down, church planting to stay up

    Bossier agreement protects students’ religious rights

    TRUMP: Unborn reflect the image of God

    Fathers-sons lead call to bring ‘next gen’ into family of God

Copyright © 2019 by The Baptist Message · Built by Megaphone Designs