August 27, 2018 - - Acts 6:1-4 - - The Shape of Ministry

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:1-4 NIV

"Three pastoral acts are so basic, so critical, that they determine the shape of everything else. The acts are: praying, reading Scripture, and giving spiritual direction. Besides being basic, these acts are quiet. They do not call attention to themselves and so are often not attended to. In the clamorous world of pastoral work nobody yells at us to engage in these acts."

from: Eugene Peterson

"Working the Angles: the shape of pastoral ministry" page 3

Christian, engage in praying, reading Scripture. Make it your priority.

Christian, pray for your pastor, earnestly, faithfully and urgently. Pray that your pastor will be drawn to a life of prayer, of reading Scripture and giving spiritual direction which flows from and is informed by his love for God and knowledge of the Scripture.

There are so many forces which will pull your pastor from being faithful in his prayer time and Scripture reading. There are demands on his time, his energy and his emotions. Pray that your pastor will have his time alone with God and His Word guarded and protected so that he will be a wise spiritual director. This is the most important gift you can give your pastor.

Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of our pastors. Thank You for all those who work so diligently among us as under-shepherds of Jesus Christ and representatives of our Father's great love. Spirit of the Living God, bless our pastors in their work. Refresh them in prayer. Equip them with mental, physical, emotional and spiritual energy so that they will preach the Word of God to their own souls and from that rich time of banqueting in Your presence enable them with hope and zeal to speak Your words of life to all You give them to serve. In Jesus' Name we pray~ Amen.