2 Corinthians 11:28 – And apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

THEME OF THE DAY. ARE WE BURDENED FOR THE CHURCH? A little confession and disclosure time. Some people have asked me, “Jim, how do you write these nuggets and how can you do so many?” First of all, there isn’t really a “writing schedule” per se. It is not a “have to get this done” type of thing. To answer the questions, I am simply sharing my walk with the Lord guided by two goals; to please the Lord and in some small way help you in your walks with the Lord. Basically, the nugget readers are reading my journal; my own discoveries in the Word and my own ups and downs in this thing called the “Christian life.” And with such candid sharing, let’s continue along that line building up to two applications for all of us from today’s scripture.

I have come to love the ministry and writings of a pastor named Kevin DeYoung. He is really, really good. In a recent article contained in Tabletalk magazine, he was open about the personal struggles and anxieties of being a pastor. He quoted today’s scripture and then wrote, “Ever since I became a pastor, I have found unusual comfort in this verse. It’s not that I have accomplished or suffered what Paul suffered, but every earnest minster feels this burden for the church. I’m not surprised Paul felt daily pressure for the churches. His work never seemed to let up. He had to respond to myriad and often conflicting criticisms. Some people thought he was too harsh. Others said he was too weak. They questioned his credentials. They compared him negatively to other Apostles. They didn’t like his preaching style. On some days, they just didn’t like Paul anymore. All this for the man who led them to Christ, loved them like a father, refused their money, and risked his neck for their spiritual good. No wonder there was no weight for Paul like the weight of caring for God’s people.” Then Pastor Kevin brings it home to his own heart and mine . . . “Ask any pastor who really takes his work seriously, and he will tell you of the pressures he feels in ministry – people in crisis, people leaving, people coming, people disappointed by him, people disappointing him. In the midst of the work, the pastor is trying to find time for study, prayer, preparation, and family. And most pastors feel a burden for all the other things they could be doing; more evangelism, more for the poor, more for missions, more to address social concerns. On top of all this, every pastor has his own personal hurts, his own personal mistakes, and his own personal spiritual health to attend to. We are all weak.”

Now I am not writing to create “Encourage the pastor week” or for you to flood me with cards and gifts during “Pastor Appreciation Month” in October. These things mentioned are part of the calling of a pastor. Painful, yes, but reality of being a pastor. What I want to do is two things and it isn’t about me. It is about us and will do so with two questions.

First, are we burdened for the church; a burdened heart for the state of the visible church representing the body of Christ in persecuted lands and our neighborhoods? Oh, I hope so. Burdened hearts become praying hearts. We should be daily crying out to God to revive us. His primary means of growing His children and reaching the lost is the visible local church. Yes, He uses us individually, but don’t ignore the truth of the New Testament. God primarily uses His people in local, united, committed, visible assemblies. And beloved, we are not getting His mission done. The church is not putting forth salt and light in a dying culture. And the fault is not our Lord. Every Christian, not just pastors, should be so burdened for the state and influence of the church that we find ourselves “weeping prayer warriors” for the church. And let’s start by asking the Lord to let us see His church as He does. It will increase our burden and commitment to our churches.

Next, are we being part of the solution? Friends, our commitment to our local churches must be loving, sacrificial, faithful, and of the highest priority in our lives. God expects it of us and our intimacy, joy, and even the practice of Biblical fellowship rests on our understanding and practice of being the church together in organized, visible assemblies. We are strong together, not individually. Don’t let a secular culture of individualism think we are fine to “go alone” as Christians with minimal commitment to the church. That isn’t God’s plan for His people. So, are we anxious for our churches? I hope. It is a sign of a sensitive heart, close to the Lord and a heart He promises to approach and revive.

PRAYER: “Lord, help me see the church like You; Your precious bride, invisible, but visible, manifesting You to the world.”

QUOTE: “God’s means of reaching the world and growing His people is primarily through the ministry of the local church”