Comfort Others with the Comfort You Have Received from the Lord.

As a pastor of nearly 20 years, and as a pastor's kid, I know first hand that truly biblical, pastoral ministry is a highly, hazardous vocation. It's one reason why so many church leaders compromise (to save face) or leave the ministry altogether. The way many faithful shepherds are treated by professing Christians is a source of much sorrow and grief (read 2 Corinthians). I am currently blessed to pastor a wonderfully loving, biblical flock (such is Lake Country Bible Church)! With that said, it is a special joy and honor to come alongside these two (faithful) pastors, from different states, to encourage them in the Lord. The Lord knows, sees, and will reward faithful shepherd-expositors like Pastor Michael and Pastor Will. 1 Peter 5:4, "When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." Press on brother-shepherds in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Thess. 5:12-13. "But we request of you, brothers and sisters, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another."

2 Corinthians 1:3-12, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is working in your perseverance in the same sufferings which we also suffer. And our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even to live.  Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not have confidence in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who rescued us from so great a peril of death, and will rescue us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet rescue us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers on our behalf, so that thanks may be given on our behalf by many persons for the gracious gift bestowed on us through the prayers of many.  For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

I am most grateful for faithful men who encouraged me during particularly difficult and painful seasons of ministry.  It is my heart's desire to extend such love and care to fellow shepherds who are hurting.  It's one reason why I agreed to serve as a regional leader within the Master's Fellowship.