W.E. Sangster was a Methodist pastor in England who lived from 1900-1960. He was so well-respected as a pastor that he would often interview possible candidates for ministry within the Methodist church. On one particular occasion he was interviewing a young man who said he was rather shy and not the sort of person who would set the Thames river on fire- that is, stir up the city. The story goes that Dr. Sangster said, “I’m not interested to know if you could set the Thames River on fire. I want to know if I picked you up by the scruff of the neck and dropped you into the Thames, would it sizzle?”
He was looking for what we could call passion in that young man. Paul carried a passion for the church at Colossae. We can see it oozing out of his pores (okay his writing) in this letter. We can see it especially from the passage we will be studying this week: Colossians 2:1-7. A parent carries a burden for his or her children. The owner of a company carries a burden for its success and (hopefully) the welfare of his employees. A coach carries a burden for teaching his or her players to be winners. A pastor carries a burden for the church he is shepherding.
That is a burden worth carrying. With the absence of personal “touch” and the plethora of online streaming, it is easy to lose touch with the people. I’m trying not to. I love the folks God has given me the pleasure to pastor. I carry a burden for them I did not know possible. Please pray for us this week. Thanks.
Loved that story, Bill! We should all be on fire for the Lord.
Praying for you!
Yeah I agree Martha. I hope I would sizzle.
Will do, Bill!
I carry that same burden for those I minister to through The Word or those dying and their families (as a Hospice volunteer)…
It is a burden worth carrying Diane.
I know you care deeply for your flock. Praying for you and for a healing for this country and the world.
I do Floyd and my prayer mimics yours.
You’re a good pastor, Bill. I can only imagine how tough it is to be in your shoes. May God give you extra grace and creative ways to continue to shepherd.
Thank you Lisa. I pray for extra grace during this time.
What I know about you personally Bill, is that this distancing is having a direct impact on you. You are a people person. You thrive on the interaction. I am praying for you. I am praying for OVCF as I know they have come to welcome and rely upon your “personal touch”. I pray at the end of this, that your interaction and involvement and the church as a whole not be taken for granted.
You have me pegged Ryan. To the “T.” I like your prayer:that the interaction and involvement and the church as a whole not be taken for granted. That is a good prayer to pray.