A Pastor's Calling

A Pastor's Calling "For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6 Over the past 10 years I have had the opportunity to get to know hundreds of pastors all over the nation through my Daily Devotionals. These men are in charge of congregations ranging from just a few members to several thousand members. During the past several months I have talked to several of them who have retired, quit preaching, and turned over their churches to younger pastors. Several of them don't do any form of ministry anymore, and some have even gotten jobs, in other fields. To me this is a disturbing trend, as God called these men to preach the gospel, not just until they reached 65 years old, but for their lifetime. I realize their need to slow down as the toll of a ministry can have an effect on their health, but to completely stop a ministry is hard for me to comprehend. When we look at the great men of the Bible, such as Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and Samuel it was in their older years when God used them to their fullest. To see a man in his 60's stop his ministry, for retirement doesn't seem right as God has given them so much wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Bible which they could pass on to others. These men have dealt with almost any issue in their congregations, and know so much about helping others deal with these issues, and to deny others this wisdom does not seem right. I know that many pastors who are in this situation will read this devotional, and I encourage you to think about all the wisdom God has given you. Don't stop sharing this wisdom, and stop God's calling in your life. God still can do great things through you. Be faithful to your calling, and let God continue to use you throughout the rest of your life to spread His word. My Daily Devotional Volume Six January 15 Robert William Brock, Jr.