‘The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind’ (1 Peter 5:1-2)
For me as a pastor these verses truly define the pastoral ministry. People who are my responsibility are not mine; they are entrusted to me until the time Jesus comes for them. So my duty is to shepherd them – to surround them with care, to cherish and keep them. The most difficult part of this process is to know one’s own heart and to help people see theirs. To live with a realization that everything we do, think, and wish is known to God! To help other members of the church grow in practical Christian life.
I have served as a pastor for 10 years and have encountered people in various life circumstances. I have seen people trapped by fear and addictions. I have seen people allow the root of bitterness to grow in all areas of their lives. I thank God that at one point I was able to complete the counseling program of the International Counseling Institute ‘Coram Deo.’ I have acquired the necessary instruments to serve people. There are many testimonies of people and their changed lives. But, most importantly, my own life has changed. I thank God for this wonderful resource that helps me minister to people.