Dear Friend,
I just returned from the SING! Conference, hosted by my friends Keith and Kristyn Getty. Part of my responsibility was to encourage pastors like myself to take seriously our role as it relates to the singing of the congregation. We considered how the twelfth verse of Hebrews 2 should guide our thinking: “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
As staggering as it seems, Jesus is the one who leads us in our worship. He is the worship leader as He stands among us. He is also the preacher! He speaks through His Word on the lips of human instruments.
Since this is Pastor Appreciation Month, let me encourage you to pray for “shepherds and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11), that they may be enabled to teach Scripture with conviction, clarity, and compassion, trusting in God’s Spirit to do God’s work through God’s Word.
During my few days at the conference in Nashville, I had the privilege of meeting fellow “foot soldiers,” most of whom were younger than me (no surprise). When asked for advice, I passed on what I tell myself daily: Aim for God’s approval (2 Timothy 2:15), stick with the basics (2 Timothy 4:5), don’t take yourself too seriously, and remember Isaiah 66:2—“This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
Last month, as I hope you’ve discovered, we launched the new website feature For Pastors and Churches to encourage us all in local church ministry. Each quarter, we’ll be making available helpful materials for you and your congregation. You can subscribe to be notified when new teaching is available at truthforlife.org/churches. Also, early next month, we’ll host our second On Pastoring and Preaching one-day seminar to encourage pastors to keep on: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Thank you for your faithful and generous support as we seek to fulfill our stated purpose to see local churches strengthened.
On behalf of our team and with my love in the Lord Jesus,
Alistair
