From the Pastor’s Desk (286)
One of the unhealthy tendencies athletes display as they start to improve and become good is neglecting the basics that got them to where they are. That’s why a good coach will emphasize and drill the fundamentals into their players over and over again.
New Life has become a healthy and solid church because we have humbly and diligently partnered with God over the years. Therefore, I, as your spiritual coach and pastor, would like to do the same.
First, make Sunday corporate worship a priority before serving in ministries. I’ve noticed that some of you come to church on Sunday only to serve in a ministry, fulfilling your rotational duty without worshiping either before or after.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan for the third time in the wilderness after fasting for 40 days, He said, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Here, Jesus clearly stated that worship comes before service.
Sunday corporate worship is God’s blessing to us because it is through worship that we connect with and experience God—the source of our life, love, wisdom, and power. Without worship, you will have nothing to give to people in the ministry. Ministry done without worship is carried out in your own strength, which does more harm than good to the body of Christ.
Therefore, make sure to worship either before or after your ministry. Please do not serve in any ministry if you are not going to worship.
Second, please do not serve as a Bible study teacher in any department at New Life—including children, youth, college, or adults—if you don’t tithe.
Tithing is a tiny portion of the Bible and one of the easiest things to do as a Christ-follower who confesses they are saved by the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus, who gave His life for us. That’s why Isaac Watts, an 18th-century English pastor, theologian, and hymn writer, penned the following lyrics in the fourth verse of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”:
“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.”
If you took Class 201 and signed the covenant, then tithe. That is what you promised God you would do. If you are not tithing, refrain from teaching the Bible to any age group.
All the pastors at New Life should be aware of this policy and ensure that no one who doesn’t tithe is allowed to teach the Bible to students or members in their department.
Third, inform and get permission from your shepherd if you want to come and see me to talk about matters pertaining to your spiritual life—including your family, work, relationships, or house church.
This is right and reasonable because your immediate pastor is not me but your house church shepherd. Your shepherd is the one who knows you most intimately and prays for you fervently. I am more like an overseer who goes from house church to house church to ensure they are all healthy and doing well. I am your shepherd’s pastor. That’s why when they become slothful or indifferent toward their house church, I address it to remind them of the calling they have received from God and the responsibilities that accompany it. But I will not bypass their ministry if you try to come and talk to me. However, I am sure your shepherd wouldn’t mind if you just want to grab a meal with me—where I pray and you pay! 😊
Don’t forget that your shepherd is your pastor, ministering to you daily for your spiritual well-being. Perhaps one day you may become a shepherd yourself and experience what you once put your own shepherd through. That is a biblical principle: we reap what we sow.
Therefore, love, respect, and obey your shepherd—it will do your soul good.
Let’s remember these fundamentals and put them into practice.
Your pastor,
Pastor Eric
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