After Paul had his ‘spell’ in church on Sunday, we made our way up to the sanctuary and needed to sit in the balcony.
The first thing I saw – five leaders who I love: Pastor John, Pastor Sam, Pastor David standing together; Pastor Kempton across the aisle with his bride, Caryn; and Pastor Chuck leading worship in song.
There is a reason why we were so well served in Paul’s class: God’s continued supply of God-centered, service-oriented leadership. Every one of those five men have been required to do hard things in their service to the church. Yet that constancy of clinging to God permeates the place, and results in volunteers who do hard things to love on families like ours.
Earlier in the week I had lunch with one of our younger pastors – who is attempting to do hard things with the strength and wisdom God provides. And I had lunch with two pastors of a different church who had just come through a very difficult set of circumstances. And God provided help in some spectacular ways.
Those of us parenting children with disabilities are trained by all the systems we combat to be advocates – and sometimes our advocacy behavior spills over into the church in ways that aren’t very pretty.
But on Sunday as I looked at those five men, I could testify to their steadfastness in clinging to Jesus and pursuing the good of their people.
So, just a reminder – pray for your pastor. We ask a great deal from them.
The Works of God 
Beautiful, John.
“…trained by all the systems we combat to be advocates – and sometimes our advocacy behavior spills over into the church in ways that aren’t very pretty.”
Convicting! It’s easy to fall into a “the church needs to serve ME” mindset, and so conveniently hard to remember how much pressure church leaders are under every day. Thank you for the reminder to pray for my pastors instead of complaining.
I was in the hallway when she came to tell you about Paul’s episode. I immediately prayed for your family and mine as we often have difficult circumstances to face at sometimes the most inopportune times. I saw your family walk into the balcony and my heart rejoiced as I saw God’s sweet grace on you all to press on in Jesus name. What an example to all of us!