As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. ~ Proverbs 27:17
READING: Exodus 18:5-27
The second year of the church plant was grueling. We were in front of the timeline with exponential numerical growth. As lead pastor, the demands were great, with nightly visitations into homes of prospective core group members to hear their story. It was time consuming to shepherd this congregation. Many had religious backgrounds and baggage, but as yet no life transformation. Averaging about 90-100 hours per week on the job was taking its toll physically and impacting my marriage and family in a negative way.
His name was Kyle. Even though we didn’t have official Elders, he was on my Pastoral Assist Team. After one of our multiple services, he said, “We need to talk… NOW!”
I said, “Sure, what’s on your mind?”
He said, “Not here…out back, behind the building.” The look on his face told me he was serious. Once out back, he took his finger and poked it in my chest raising his voice with a stern look, and said, “It’s gotta stop. You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends. Your health is suffering, your marriage is suffering and your children don’t even know their Dad. You can’t sacrifice your children on the altar of your church plant.”
I tried to push back, but to no avail.
Kyle finally said, “If you drop dead tomorrow, we’ll have a new lead pastor within six months, but your wife won’t have a husband and your children won’t have a father. You must get your priorities right because the message you are preaching with your life actions is not good.”
Thank you, Father, for putting godly men in my life to hold me accountable. Even though confrontation is painful at times, please use them and their loving exhortation to shape me into the man of God you desire me to be. Amen.
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