What a great summer it has been here at FBC Greenville. As we looked ahead at the calendar, I knew this was going to be a great and busy summer. All of our events have been for the purpose of bringing glory to God. I am so appreciative for the team effort that has been on display to make sure all of our events and regular services have gone smoothly. With these efforts comes great sacrifice on the behalf of our church members and staff alike. For me personally, I regret being away at the moment when some church members and their families deserved the support of their pastor. The other leaders of the church stepped up in a great way to cover for me and I am feeling thankful today. Being away doing one great thing lead to missing other opportunities to fulfill the great calling God has placed upon my life. My ego is not great enough for me to believe that only “Chase Clower” could meet these needs and no one else could. That is foolish! In fact, there are others far greater than myself in providing the support needed. I do believe, however, that everyone deserves the support of their pastor, especially during difficult times. As this week closes out youth camp and we head into kids camp next week, we are moving into another opportunity for God to do great things. I love centrikid camps and enjoy going as a chaperone whenever I can. I have looked forward to it and hope to go many more times. In preparation to being away from my regular responsibilities for another week, I am appreciative for the patience and efforts of the church to work together for the glory of God in meeting each others needs. I thankful for the patience of those who work with me during these times where I am overwhelmed with the tasks of ministry. The desire to be available for all things and all people is overwhelming and unrealistic. Having the help of others is a privilege and hard to accept sometimes. My fear earlier in the week was being away again without my personal vehicle to ensure my availability for pastoral care needs that might arise during the week. The frustrations that I felt were from a lack of trust in God and the help that the body of Christ could provide for me. (yes, this is a confession) I believe as pastors, we are so consumed with providing help to others that we can’t even see those that are trying to help us. This is foolishness and sin! Lord help me to listen and trust in you more! Thank you church for your patience and help! I am thankful for FBC Greenville membership and staff! I hope the sharing of these struggles and the way that God has helped me to be thankful for my church family will encourage you to do the same. Be thankful for the body of Christ and trust in the way God works through His church!
Some verses that have helped:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” -Acts 2:42-47
“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” -Ephesians 2:18-22
