(This was originally published in our October Church Newsletter.)

It is a special (and sometimes rare) thing to be a happy pastor!

To be the called-by-God spiritual leader of our church is no small thing, and I am very thankful to God that he has placed me in this position. I am happy to be the pastor of FBC Fairdale. I am happy to be your pastor.

As I have been studying 2 Corinthians, I found the Apostle Paul saying :

“I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.” -2 Cor. 7:16

How often do you hear pastors and ministers speaking of their people in this manner. Is this not awesome and encouraging? Paul loved these Corinthians. Let me remind you that these are the same sinful people that he has been working with for quite some time. However, they were a church and they were growing. They were repenting of their sins, and unity, faith, love and strength were increasing.

Let me ask you how you view your relationship toward me and the other leaders in our church. Do you give us reason to rejoice? Is your love and service toward God and people so healthy and beautiful that your pastor rejoices? Do the leaders who are over you have complete confidence in you?

Let me remind you of the warning at the end of Hebrews in verse 13:17 in which we are encouraged to not cause our leaders to groaning because of our relationship toward them and the church.

Church family, I am confident that God is working in us. The fruit from what He is doing is all around us. Let’s build upon that. Let’s get stronger. Let’s live in such a way that we cause each other (even our church leaders) to rejoice. Let’s live so that others can have complete confidence in our faithfulness!