Hi, thank you for stopping to take a look!

 

 

So, what is a pastor? One way to answer is to look at a dictionary definition: a Christian minister or priest having spiritual charge over a congregation or other group. Another way would be to look at the origin of the word and we would find its Latin root meaning: a shepherd.. I. personally, like the shepherd imagery except for one small problem. Let me begin with the good parts. A shepherd leads, guides, guards, heals, and protects the sheep. The concept of nurturing is important to me because at the heart of Christian faith stands the love of God for us.

 

 

 

I see two weaknesses in this imagery. First, when we think of sheep we don't see a purpose for them except to give wool and be eaten. I like wool and I like to eat but both represent extremely passive activities. It becomes too easy to slip into thinking that church exists to make me fat and warm, and the pastor exists to supply what I need to do so. Before we get comfortable with this mind set, we need to remember what the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 4:11-12 (RSV) "And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, . . ." The church exists in part to equip you for ministry, bearing "Good News" before the world.

 

Second, not many of us keep sheep any more, therefore, the whole image may be weak for lack of experiential knowledge. I would like to suggest another image from my personal background, that of coach. A coach provides similar protection, guidance and assistance, but goes further in teaching, training and evaluating skills for accomplishing objectives. In my case the throwing of heavy objects (shot, discus & hammer). If Christians are to be found faithful in God's sight, they must accomplish the objective given, which was to bear witness to Jesus. Acts 1:8 (RSV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."

My calling from the Lord is to equip God's people to bear witness to Jesus in word and deed. This is a challenging calling for training athletes is hard work. On the other hand, it is also very enjoyable to see the accomplishments and growth individuals make. Ephesians 4:13 (RSV) tells us, "until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;" there is my goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to share. (Email the Pastor)

 

For the number crunchers out there:
   Born: April 1951
   Married: June 1974, Susan Elizabeth Rollins
   Children: Elizabeth, Samuel and Hannah
   Education:
      B.A. Bates College, Lewiston, ME.
      J.D. Western New England College, School of Law, Springfield, MA.
      M.Div Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA.
   Pastor: Emmanuel Bethel Church, August, 1988