Pastor's Study                 

Dear brethren,
It is my most humble prayer and desire that this room would be a blessing and an encouragement for those whom God has graciously called into the work of the ministry. Being a Pastor myself, I am acquainted with the many trials, many hardships, and the many blessings which accompany such a high calling. Truly, the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor.2:14-17 should greatly humble the hearts of those whom God has called into the ministering of eternal souls. "Who is sufficient for these things", is a divine truth which should ever keep our hearts humble before Good, and compel us to ever be seeking God's power and blessings upon our ministry, through prayer and much self-denial. Though the work of the ministry is as D.Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote in his book, Preachers and Preaching, "the highest and the greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called"; yet, it carries with it a great responsiblity which should greatly humble every true Minister of God. A divine truth which our forefathers were greatly aware of.....

Chrysostom, Speaking about the negligence and miscarriage of a minister,
"And yet, if a man should speak fire, blood and smoke; if flames came out of his mouth instead of word; if he had a voice like thunder, and an eye like lightening; he could not sufficiently represent the dreadful account that an unfaithful pastor shall make. What horror, and confusion shall it cast them into at the last day, to hear the blood of the Son of God plead against them, to hear our great Master say, "It was the purchase of my blood which ye did neglect. God died for these souls, of whom ye took so little pains. Think not therefore to be saved by that blood which ye have despised or to escape the torments whereunto many others are plunged through your faults".

John Flavel, said;
" The Labours of the ministry are fitly compared to the toil of men in harvest, to the labours of a woman in travail and to the agonies of soldiers in the extremity of a battle".

William Gurnall;
"The Christian's life should put his minister's sermon in print".

Richard Baxter; "A Minister's self-examination":
1. You have heaven to win or lose yourselves....A holy calling will not save an unholy man.
2. You have sinful inclinations as well as others.
3. (You) have greater temptations than most men.
4. The tempter will make his first and sharpest onset upon you. If you will be leaders against him, he will spare you no further than God restrains him.
5. Many eyes are upon you, and therefore there will be many to observe your falls.
6. Your sins are more aggravated than those of other men. They have more of hypocrisy in them.
7. The honour of your Lord and Master, and His holy truth, doth lie more on you than other men.
8. The souls of your hearers and the success of your labours, do very much depend upon your self-examination.

C.H.Spurgeon;
"I have preached the gospel now these thirty years and more, and some of you will scarcely believe it, but before I come to address the congregation in this Tabernacle, tremble like an aspen leaf. And often, in coming down to this pulpit, have I felt my knees knock together -- not that I am afraid of any one of my hearers, but I am thinking of that account which I must render to God, whether I speak His Word faithfully or not. On this service may hang the eternal destinies of many. O God, grant that we may all realize that this is a matter of the most solemn concern."

There are many today who feel that such thoughts about the ministry are over exaggerated and not necessary. That our forefathers were "Legalists" and Extremists" in their convictions of the truths of God and the ministry. Yet, it has been a departure from these humbling and heart-searching convictions about the work of the ministry which has greatly attributed to the churches weakness and her insufficiency to proclaim the truths of God today. There are many churches today who have men filling their pulpits who have not been divinely called into the ministry and who do not meet the qualifications of a minister, according to the Word of God. Many modern "Mission Boards", have even taken upon themselves the responsibilty to "Recruit" men into the ministry by using all kinds of carnal programs and methods, to excite men to enter into the ministry. And though their intentions may be good and sincere, these carnal and man-made devises have only proven to weaken God's church and have caused much havoc and pain among God's children; not to mention the bringing in of many false teachings, because of their ignorance of scripture and the doctrines of our most Holy Christian faith. We cannot trust in carnal methods to fill the churches pulpits of today, but must humbly seek God (The Lord of the harvest) to raise up men whom He has divinely called and appointed to such a great work. And to scripturally prove those who proclaim to possess such a high calling. This requires much pray and patience, yet we must not allow ourselves to be influenced by the desperation of the times, the dangers of these last days, or the impatience of man. But, must humbly and prayerfully seek God's mercy and grace, that He would raise up men to preach the truths of God and boldly contend for the faith once given unto the saints. To trust in anything else, or any other carnal method, is to weaken God's church even more against the floods of already countless false prophets and false doctrines. May we be humbled by this great truth and may those who are truly "Called of God" never forget the great responsibility and weight which goes along with such a high calling. "Who is sufficient for these things?" May this great truth keep our hearts ever humble before God, praying that He would bless our feeble efforts to Glorify His name and bring many to a saving knowledge of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Note;

We will attempt in this room, by the grace of God, to bring articles about the work of the ministry which we pray would be an encouragement and blessing to those who" labour in the Word and prayer". Any comments or suggestions will be warmly accepted. May we encourage one another as men of God, and may God richly bless each and everyone of you as you labour in our Lord's harvest. in His service, For His glory.

Pastor Audey Shepard
 

"Now thanks be unto God, which always
causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh
manifest the savour of his knowledge by us
in every place. For we are unto God a sweet
savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and
in them that perish: To the one we are the
savour of death unto death; and to the other
the savour of life unto life. And who is
sufficient for these things?
For we are not as many, which corrupt the
word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of
God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."
(2 Cor 2:14-17)

 

"Words to winners of souls" (Horatius Bonar) "How much more would a few good and fervent men effect in the ministry than a multitude of lukewarm ones!" said Oecolampadius, the Swiss Reformer -- a man who had been taught by experience, and who has recorded that experience for the benefit of other churches and other days...more	"A Pastor's Heart" (Thomas Murphy) This is his power with God; it is also his power with men. Though other branches of preparation are absolutely necessary, yet this it is which above every thing else will make him an able workman. His calling is such that his heart is needed in it at every point.... more
"John Newton's Letters on the Ministry" (John Newton) You cannot be too jealous of your own heart; but let no such instances as Mr ---- discourage you. Cry to Him who is able to hold you up, that you may be safe, and you shall not cry in vain....more	"By what means may Ministers best win souls?" (Robert Trail) Take heed unto thyself and unto thy doctrine: continue in them for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee..More