“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).
Danny BurnleyNeither time nor space would allow me the opportunity to express my thanks to God for all his wonderful blessings upon me in this article. However, since this space is called “The Pastor’s Corner,” allow me to share what God has placed upon my heart recently.
A few weeks ago, I sent a letter to the first church that I pastored. In addition, a letter was also mailed to each of the five deacons who served with me in my first bi-vocational church in Royston, Ga. In the late ’70s, as a young pastor, attending Bible college for the ministry and working in a full-time job, it was this small church that gave me my first opportunity to be their “pastor.”
Over the years, God has blessed me and has allowed me to be called “pastor.” That within itself is so much to be thankful for. In my letter to these wonderful saints of God, I simply wanted to say “thank you.” These people and these five deacons allowed me to be their pastor! Because of God’s grace, their love and patience, I was able to begin a journey in ministry for which I will always be thankful. Some of those precious deacons will soon be turning 90 years of age.
Like the apostle Paul, I was able to write to them, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3). May I also express my gratitude and thanks to God for the wonderful churches that God has allowed me to pastor. I feel so unworthy to have experienced such blessings. To the precious people of West Gantt First Baptist Church, I thank God for their love and patience especially while serving as president of our Pastor’s Conference.
Let me encourage all pastors, deacons, teachers and church members to love one another, to forgive one another, forbear one another and be thankful!
Recently, Pat Grimes, a dear, faithful member in our church, handed me this poem entitled: “A Prayer For My Pastor”
Dear God,
Please bless my pastor,
His life is not his own.
He is just as far away as a
telephone.
He may be tired and weary,
his feet may burn and ache.
He may have burdens that run
so deep, they cause his heart
to break.
But he is Your servant and
never fails to go
When he answers the telephone
and we need him so.
Bless him if he stumbles, and
is less perfect than he seems.
Remind me perfect people
exist only in my dreams.
If his shoulders weaken
under such a heavy load,
Help me to bear his burdens
through prayer
As he journeys down life’s road.
Help me not to expect too much
when he’s doing the best he can.
Lord, help me to realize that
he is just a man.
And Lord, forgive me in my
weakness if I should criticize,
Help me not to judge him on
my own, but through my
Father’s eyes.
– Mary Ellen Hudson, Piedmont