A Brother Who Supports His Brothers
I remember when Steve was the first pastor of his first church in California, we had no children and so it was fairly easy for me to go to presbytery meetings with him. I quickly began to pick out the pastor's wives who had been given by their husbands strict guidelines about what to say and not say if asked about his ministry. (Do say, "We have someone new every week." Don't say, " Our visitors never come back") Over the years Steve has developed a habit of calling or writing notes to a number of pastors he thinks might need to be encouraged. We never talked about it very much and he only mentioned this in passing.
After ministering to churches in California, Nebraska, Vermont, and Virginia he is now our presbytery's regional home missionary, in charge of starting new churches. Although he began some of his duties while still the pastor of our church, he did not do the job full time until Oct. 1. On Nov.30 he was to be installed in his new office officially. Before the service we were invited to a dinner at the home of one of the pastors at the church where the service was to be held. After a lovely dinner with many of the pastors and their wives, our host said it was time for the toasts. Many of the men stood as they related how in some way Steve had a positive impact on their ministry. Man after man told about Steve's encouraging calls. They shared stories of his hard work, his love of Christ and his humility.
Later I asked him if he recognized himself in their descriptions. Quickly he answered no. I did recognize him in what they said and I was overwhelmed by it all in a different way. I somehow thought the stories were at least somewhat inflated but only slightly. I did wonder if I had not appreciated his ministry as much as I should have. I spent more time trying to hold him back from unselfishly throwing himself full tilt into everything he did. There's a fine line between giving your husband wise counsel in conserving his energy and just trying to keep him more for yourself. Even though I am very aware of his sins, I was overwhelmed by the incredibly good opinion his fellow pastors have of him.
At the service Ross Graham, the retiring head of home missions for the denomination spoke. He had urged Steve to apply for the job in light of all his experience. Al Tricarico, one of our missionaries to Uganda also spoke. He performed the wedding of my daughter almost 10 years ago and before that he had spoken at Steve's installation at the church in Virginia.
When Steve had a chance to think through his response to the toasts, he shared his perspective. He was saddened by one of the recurring themes that he had heard. So many had remarked on all the times Steve had gone out of his way to encourage them. To Steve this should be the norm and not the occasion for accolades.
Another pastor there for the evening was Al Harris. Al had performed our wedding almost 41 years ago. He had quoted a verse and applied it to marriage. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 says "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up." To Steve being there in case a fellow walker falls applies to all of life, spouse, brother or sister in Christ and fellow pastor. May we all seek to do the hard work of coming along side the one who falls. Every pastor and every person should seek to lift the fallen in Christ. Remember the next time you might be the one who needs the steady arm.
After ministering to churches in California, Nebraska, Vermont, and Virginia he is now our presbytery's regional home missionary, in charge of starting new churches. Although he began some of his duties while still the pastor of our church, he did not do the job full time until Oct. 1. On Nov.30 he was to be installed in his new office officially. Before the service we were invited to a dinner at the home of one of the pastors at the church where the service was to be held. After a lovely dinner with many of the pastors and their wives, our host said it was time for the toasts. Many of the men stood as they related how in some way Steve had a positive impact on their ministry. Man after man told about Steve's encouraging calls. They shared stories of his hard work, his love of Christ and his humility.
Later I asked him if he recognized himself in their descriptions. Quickly he answered no. I did recognize him in what they said and I was overwhelmed by it all in a different way. I somehow thought the stories were at least somewhat inflated but only slightly. I did wonder if I had not appreciated his ministry as much as I should have. I spent more time trying to hold him back from unselfishly throwing himself full tilt into everything he did. There's a fine line between giving your husband wise counsel in conserving his energy and just trying to keep him more for yourself. Even though I am very aware of his sins, I was overwhelmed by the incredibly good opinion his fellow pastors have of him.
At the service Ross Graham, the retiring head of home missions for the denomination spoke. He had urged Steve to apply for the job in light of all his experience. Al Tricarico, one of our missionaries to Uganda also spoke. He performed the wedding of my daughter almost 10 years ago and before that he had spoken at Steve's installation at the church in Virginia.
When Steve had a chance to think through his response to the toasts, he shared his perspective. He was saddened by one of the recurring themes that he had heard. So many had remarked on all the times Steve had gone out of his way to encourage them. To Steve this should be the norm and not the occasion for accolades.
Another pastor there for the evening was Al Harris. Al had performed our wedding almost 41 years ago. He had quoted a verse and applied it to marriage. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 says "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up." To Steve being there in case a fellow walker falls applies to all of life, spouse, brother or sister in Christ and fellow pastor. May we all seek to do the hard work of coming along side the one who falls. Every pastor and every person should seek to lift the fallen in Christ. Remember the next time you might be the one who needs the steady arm.
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