Portrait of a Pastor's Heart

A man s last words are significant. When a man knows he s not going to speak for a long time, he makes his final words count. Such was the case just before the 400 years of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament. God s last words before that long silence are important. He knew it would be many years before another prophetic voice would be heard; so He left these words: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. Malachi 4:5-6 Quite simply, God knew there would be a need for spiritual fathers and mentors to guide and assist those involved in various aspects of ministry. God has heard the cry of sons and daughters for spiritual fathers. For many years I have felt a passion to help ministers discover and develop the destiny God has placed within them. Ministers need the ear of a spiritual father to confide in, and a father s voice in their life to provide guidance and affirmation. I ve watched the struggle of pastors and other ministers as they attempt to complete the assignment God gave them. Often the strain on their spouse, children, and finances are more than they can handle and they settle for what they perceive as mediocrity, or even failure, when in the eyes of God they are very successful. Somewhere we have picked up the wrong definition of success in ministry. Today, success has come to mean; who has be largest church, the biggest house, the nicest clothes, the most expensive jewelry, and the most toys. Although there is nothing wrong with living that lifestyle; and we know God blesses his servants; success must have a deeper meaning. Success can never allow us to come to the place of competing with each other to achieve a standard set by someone other than God. According to Webster s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus the number one definition of success is result, or outcome. The number two definition is a favorable or satisfactory outcome. It is not until we get to the number three definition that we find the meaning as getting wealth, fame or rank. Portrait of A Pastor s Heart is written to provide encouragement and affirmation to the minister; and reveal that success can reach deeper than external signs; and the ideals others have set. Each minister must remember that God has called them, anointed them and set them in a chosen place. As they accomplish His plan for their life, they are successful and should experience personal and spiritual fulfillment without the destruction of family, finances and friends. My prayer is for each reader to find complete fulfillment in the area of your calling. You don t have to settle for second best; remain courageous and pursue all that God has placed in your heart. DREAMS DO COME TRUE "