| Seems to me sending for the pastor is much like sowing to the farmer. You know, if you sow sparingly you will reap sparingly. I always pastored small churches. Didn't really like and seemingly couldn't afford to send anyone. When you have 30 on a VERY good day, it was difficult to lose anyone. One day God spoke to me and told me He was sending someone my way. He even told me they were coming from Florida. It was a semi-retired couple who became a tremendous blessing to the church financially and just by shear encouragement. I got to know them well and talked to them frequently. One day he shared his desire to pastor again. A week later the d.o. told me a very church on the our district was without a pastor and facing possible closure. So there I was with a conundrum. Few people, low finances and good friends that I didn't want to lose. Nevertheless, God told me they were coming, so I had to trust Him! I told him, he called the AB and within a week they were gone...but really they weren't. God taught me something very valuable through this about kingdom work. It is He after all that sends to us. The Holy Spirit draws. These folks aren't coming to YOU pastor. They are coming by and from and to God! We didn't lose when we sent, we gained so much more. We always do when we trust God and send. No, we didn't experience exponential growth etc, but God continued to prove faithful. All our needs were met and many times miraculously. I guess the one thing I miss about pastoring is watching Him supply needs!Anyway, since it is His Kingdom, shouldn't we be about sending? |