My First Church (Perils of Shepherds)

There are some who would call Bean's Corner "My first church" because it is here that I was first given the responsibility of being senior pastor.  Others might call Peru Baptist Church my "first" church because that was my first "job" out of college.  You might say Steep Falls Baptist Church was my first church in that it was where I grew up.   All these are perfectly fine definitions in their place, but I want to discuss my first church in terms of priority not chronology.  My first church is far more work than Bean's Corner and demands more time.  My first church is more aware of my weaknesses and failures than Bean's Corner is.  My first church lives with me.  They are my family.

There are many pastors who struggle with this idea.  The "job" of pastor eclipses the ministry of pastoring/shepherding and suddenly the priority of time and energy shifts to the building with the steeple and the people in it.   While I have a responsibility to my "job" and to the congregation, my responsibility to my "first church" is even greater.   Many pastors and churches sometimes look at the qualifications for shepherding ministry in Timothy and Titus and think that a pastor's family is held to a higher standard than everyone elses.  That is not what the Bible says.  My kids are held to the same standard as all children.  I, however, am held to a higher standard of parenting.  I have a greater obligation to my family than even the regular strong obligation of fathers.  My family isn't just my family, they are my first church, and if I can't pastor them, I cannot pastor the people in that building with a steeple.

I enjoy my first church.  We homeschool primarily for the relationship it provides us with the kids.  We do family trips, family times, family meals.  I am a busy guy with a demanding work load, but it has to give in to the demands of my first church because my work outside of my home is inextricably and biblically linked to the demands in my home.  Yesterday, in addition to meetings with Nate and Mac and study and work, I also had supper with the family and spent the evening reading with my daughter.  In fact, my goal (and need) is to be home for family dinner more than I am away.  I can't be there every night, but if I'm gone more than I'm home, I'm neglecting a vital church service at my first church.  The other day, when I needed to take a break from a demanding day, we packed up the kids and went for a hike on the railroad trail.  All pastoring my first church.  Pastoring my first church enriches the work I do at my "second" church.  It develops skills with people, it builds my patience, it reminds me I am a servant.  It also means that the parents at church can look at me and learn to shepherd in their homes too.

I'm thankful for my first church and I pray that I will keep focus on my home as my first priority amid the joy and rigors of ministry.  I hope that you will be able to look at my first church and observe the skills of shepherding that allow me to fill the role of pastor in the congregation of God.  "Pastor's Window" is not only me looking out on life and ministry, it is you looking in at my life and ministry.  I am accountable and responsible for my first church, first and foremost.  I will tell you that each day I must seek out God's guidance, wisdom, and especially correction that I might be the pastor that my wife and four beautiful children need me to be to them.