Whereas the world needs pastors now more than ever. As the statistics of the Christian church show decline. As the cultural war is being lost on many fronts. As pastors are becoming “viewed like a smiling greeter at Walmart: they might point you in the right direction, but after that you’re on your own”1. It is imperative that people have someone who can truly dig-in and lead them Godward.
Whereas God has been working on my life in this area; shepherding me to understand more of my pastoral role as a Chaplain. Through books that he has led me to read, habits that I have developed, and opportunities that have been presented, I have become more and more passionate about the role of a pastor in society, in the Army, and in the local church.
Whereas my heart is longing to lead others toward a loving God and to lead them through the hurts and happiness of life. I sense this as I meet with many people who are hurting and see that the opportunity for ministry occurs far before the crisis.
Whereas I am feeling more called to lead a local church when I retire, but not to simply build a large church but to truly care for the people of it. But, why not now? This is not an endeavor to prepare for but to live in the setting in which I am now called. When Eugene Peterson says that “for most of my adult life I have been given a primary responsibility for getting the message of the Bible into the lives of the men and women with whom I worked”2; Have I not done the same? Do I not do the same even as a Chaplain standing in the shoes of a local pastor? The people to whom I am called to, Soldiers, deserve to have a Pastor to lead them.
Whereas I feel as if the administrations of the office of chaplain are grossly misguided—we should not be staff officers. We should work in the staff and should function in this arena, but we are to be more. We are to be the pastors of this staff; yes, functioning to work within the system to facilitate free exercise of religion, but to also perform “the responsibility of getting these very people to listen, really listen, to the message in this book.”3 Yet, not “to merely induce men to join the Church, nor merely to get them to do better. (But) to get them to pray, to trust God, and to keep God ever before their eyes, that they may not sin against Him.”4
Therefore, be it resolved that I will focus my energy in 2017 toward professionally and private focus unwaveringly on pastoral duties.
Be it further resolved that I will study the works of Eugene Peterson, E.M. Bounds and others as I develop this focus more into my own life and practice.
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Prepared as a part of my yearly life plan for2017.
Notes: 1 “Good Faith: Being a Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant and Extreme. (2016) Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Books 2. Peterson, Eugene. (2006) The Message Remix. Colorado Springs, CO. NavPress Publishing Group. 3. Peterson, Eugene. (2006) The Message Remix. Colorado Springs, CO. NavPress Publishing Group. 4. Bounds, E. M. (1990). The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer, Reprinting; The Necessity of Prayer (1929). Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Books