• CONTACT INFORMATION

    PHONE
    (607) 341-7264

    MAILING ADDRESS
    PO Box 128 Chenango Bridge, NY 13745

    MEETING ADDRESS:
    (Sundays @ 10:00am)
    Regal Cinema - 900 Upper Front St.
    Binghamton, NY 13905

  • OFFICE LOCATION

    OFFICE ADDRESS:
    NyPenn Trade Center
    435 Main St. Room 19
    Johnson City, NY 13790

    OFFICE HOURS:
    Tues-Fri 10am-5pm

  •  
  •  

October 9 – The Perfect Pastor

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-14:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8, Psalm 79:1-13, Proverbs 24:30-3

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 1Thessalonians 2:4

Observation: I did a quick google search for a job description for the perfect pastor. I’ve seen some of the others before but this one seems to be the most common.

The Perfect Pastor:

  1. Preaches exactly 10 minutes.
  2. Works from 8AM to midnight.
  3. Earns $40 a week, gives $30 a week to the church, drives a good car, wears good clothes, and buys good books.
  4. He is 29 years old with 40 years of ministry experience.
  5. He is handsome.
  6. Has a burning desire to work with teenagers, loves kids, and spends most of his time with senior citizens.
  7. Has a thoughtful demeanor, a great smile, and a sense of humor.
  8. He makes 15 visitations a day and is always in the office in case someone drops by.
  9. He makes it to every group, organization, and committee meeting
  10. He prays 3 hours a day and studies 5 hours a day, but is never put off when interrupted.

Application: Obviously the list is ridiculous. Is it? Sit down and think about the 5 main things you expect from your pastor. Then pretend you are someone 20 years older, what would your expectations then? What would your expectations be if you were half your age? The opposite sex? Twice as rich or twice as poor? Our expectations are based on our needs. Those needs change as life changes. Now imagine what it would be like trying to meet all the changing expectations of dozens, or hundreds of people. Next time your pastor lets you down, thank God that your pastor has chosen to answer to Him and not to you.

Prayer: Dear God, I apologize for the times I have placed undue pressure on the men of God who have been called by You to shepherd me. I apologize for the times I have tried pleasing other people and living up to their expectations even when that has taken me away from what You have called me to do. Help me always to remember that You are the one I live for, the one I work for. Help me also to remember that You are the one others should be living for as well. Help me to not distract their gaze from You.