All to Him I Owe

A few years ago this list by Dr. MacArthur was given to me along with a letter of encouragement. I have these ten things posted above my desk as a daily reminder to the seriousness and privilege of being a pastor. I agree with all ten of these! The 10th one is definitely true of me.

Ten Reasons I Am a Pastor
By John MacArthur

1. The church is the only institution Christ promised to build and bless.

2. The corporate functions of the Body all take place in the church.

3. Preaching is the chief human means God uses to dispense His grace. – I have the privilege each Sunday of proclaiming God’s message to His people – a message of grace, by which God saves people and transforms lives.

4. I can be consumed with study and communion with God. – There’s a public side to me that the congregation sees, but there’s a private side to me that only God knows.

5. I am directly responsible to God for the lives of the people He has given me to shepherd. – I watch over their souls as one “who will give an account” (Heb. 13:17).

6. I am also accountable to the people in my church. – Everything is exposed to them: my life and family, my personal strengths and weaknesses-everything. I cherish that accountability.

7. I love the challenge of building an effective leadership team from the people God has put in the church.

8. The pastorate embraces all of life. – I share the joy of parents over the birth of a child, as well as the pain of children over the death of a mother or father. I help celebrate at a wedding; I also offer comfort at a funeral. There is an inevitable unpredictability that accompanies my calling-an incredible adventure may begin at any given moment. It is at those times that the pastor goes beyond his sermon to stand in the gap for God in the lives of His people.

9. The rewards in this life are marvelous.

10. I’m afraid not to be a pastor.