A world without pastors?

Where would the church be, where would the world be, where would you be, without pastors?

This is a sad and scary thought: in some circles, it seems that there are fewer men and women receiving the call into ministry. And where exactly would the church be without pastors? 

Of course, we can all name the evidences of the frailty and imperfections of pastors, and yet pastors, as the called-out under-shepherds of God, share His mysteries, represent His holiness, declare His praises, serve as watchmen on the walls, join Jesus and His Spirit in interceding for the people. 

• Without pastors, I personally would not know all that I know of Jesus Christ and His beautiful plan of salvation.
• Without pastors, I would not know all that I know about grace, mercy, and love.
• Without pastors, I would not know all that I know about prayer and God’s rich mercy in answering our cries for help.

I thank God for the millions of often nameless and faceless, forgotten, ignored, overlooked, underappreciated, many times maligned, suffering servants called pastors. 

I thank God that He is my Good Shepherd, but I also thank God for you.

May you and I, as shepherds of God’s people, humbly accept this calling from God, let us faithfully discharge our duties, let us love people as we are ambassadors of God’s love. May we keep on in the knowledge that God is working for the salvation of humanity and we are somehow privileged to be on the front lines of rescuing the perishing, comforting the weary, encouraging the downtrodden and bringing people to our great God!