The Church in my PRAYERS

It is very easy when we go through ministry trials and difficulties as a pastor to develop a bad taste in our mouth toward the church. This is something we all need to guard against. As Paul went through serious adversity in ministry, he never lost his love for the church. In Philippians chapter one we have already seen that Paul kept the church in his MIND (loving the church through his intellect) and he kept the church in his HEART (loving the church through his intimacy). Today we see that Paul also kept the church in his PRAYERS (loving them through his intercession). In verse 9-11, Paul prays for the church.

He prays that their love would abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment!

He prays that they would be able to approve the things that are excellent!

He prays that they would be sincere and blameless!

He prays that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness!

He prays that they would bring glory to God!

So, hurting pastor, as you go through this time of ministry hurt, don't give up on God and don't give up on His church! Keep the church in your MIND! Keep the church in your HEART! Keep the church in your PRAYERS! Three cheers for the church!

Be sure to read my other blog at www.folkslisten.blogspot.com. You can leave a comment at either blog or email me directly at skdistler@gmail.com.

The Church In My Heart

Even in our darkest days of ministry adversity, we must never lose our love for the local church. Paul didn't. Even chained to Roman soldiers while sitting in a dungeon, his love for the church was still clear, We saw in our last posting that Paul had the church in his MIND. Today, continuing from Philippians chapter one, we see that Paul also had the church in his HEART. If having the church in his mind involved loving the church through Paul's INTELLECT (how he thought about them) then having the church in his heart was loving the church through his INTIMACY (how he felt about them).

Having the church in your heart, even when being a pastor leaves you battered and bruised, means that you still care for the church - even if it sometimes might appear that the church doesn't care for you. Make no mistake about it, some of Paul's adversity came from inside the church (see Philippians 1:17). Yet, Paul didn't give up on the church. He continued to have a sympathetic and genuine interest and concern for the church. He says it point blank in verse 7, "I have you in my heart!"

Having the church in his heart also meant spending time with them. In verse 8 we read that he "longed for them with the affection of Christ Jesus!" When we go through the painful times of ministry, the temptation is to pull away from other people in the church. Don't do that! Even when it hurts - continue to keep the church in your heart!

Be sure to read my other blog at www.folkslisten.blogspot.com. You can leave a comment at either blog or email me directly at skdistler@gmail.com.

The Church In My MIND

Even in Paul's time of ministry affliction, the church remained something that Paul truly loved. We see this clearly in Philippians chapter 1. In verses 3-6 we see that Paul kept the church in his MIND. This involved loving the church through his intellect. - how he thought about them. This was "fleshed out" by Paul through four principles:

First, every time someone in the church came to Paul's mind, Paul thanked God for them. Verse 3 says, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you." Loving the church, even in difficult ministry times, can occur as we take time to thank God for those who make up the church each time God brings them to our mind.

Second, rid yourself of every negative thought about those in the church. In verse 4 Paul said that he "always offered prayer with joy" for all of them. People do things that hurt. Do your best to rid your mind of every negative thought about those who have caused you pain. Replace those negative thoughts with thoughts of joy.

Third, realize that there involvement is needed. You may not always agree with them. You may have been hurt by them. But the truth is that each member of the Body of Christ still plays a vital role in the church. Paul, in verse 5, speaks of their "participation in the Gospel." Every believer, even the ones we struggle with the most, is a vital member of Christ's body.

Fourth, remember that God is making them into the image of Christ. In verse 6, Paul reminds us that the God "who began a good work in us will complete it." God is not done working on you, nor is He done working on others in your ministry. You're not perfect yet - neither are they!

Be sure to read my other blog at www.folkslisten.blogspot.com. You can leave a comment at either blog or email me directly at skdistler@gmail.com.

Three Cheers for the Church

When you face ministry obstacles that produce hurts and scars in your life, it becomes very easy to become disenchanted with the local church. One of the my daily prayer requests during my toughest time in ministry as a pastor was that when it was all said and done that I would have an even greater love for my calling as a pastor and for the local church. I am so thankful that the Lord answered both of those prayers.

When Paul went through a very tough ministry experience that landed him in prison, he wrote his letter to the Philippian Church that was all about joy. It's hard to have joy in ministry when you are going through unfair and/or untrue accusations and hardships. That is why I think every hurting pastor ought to sink their teeth into this four chapter book that the Spirit of God inspired the Apostle Paul to write during his ministry trial.

In chapter one of this book we see that Paul's obstacles in ministry did not diminish his love for the church. In verses 3-6 we see that Paul continued to have the church in his MIND. In verses 7-8 we see that Paul continued to have the church in his HEART. In verses 9-11 we see that Paul continued to have the church in his PRAYERS. Over my next several posts I will talk about each of these and we will discover that even in the most difficult times of ministry, the local church is still worth it! Three cheers for the church!

Be sure to read my other blog at www.folkslisten.blogspot.com. You can leave a comment at either blog or email me directly at skdistler@gmail.com.