The importance of strong churches and healthy pastors

This week, I find myself preparing for our executive board meeting on May 19-20 in Abilene. We will meet on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University in anticipation of our Annual Meeting in the same city.

I hope you have saved the date for our Annual Meeting on November 16-18 at the Abilene Convention Center. The first general session will be on Sunday night. Our theme this year is “Live Out GC2: Love God, Love People, Make Disciples.”

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to be in Laredo. On Saturday, I visited with Dorso Maciel, and his wife, who has been a Texas Baptists pastor for 65 years, the last 33 of those at Primera Iglesia Bautista of Laredo. This church was established in 1883!

On Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching and presiding over the installation of the new pastor of United Baptist Church of Laredo, which was established over a century later. The church displayed excitement as they entered a new season of ministry with Dr. Julio Varela.

As I reflected on the contrast between the older and newer congregations, and between the long tenure of a pastor and the beginning season of another, I thought about the importance of strong churches and healthy pastors.

We are focusing on three important aspects as Texas Baptists: (1) the strengthening of churches. If we are going to reach our state, we need strong churches. Strong churches require (2) strong pastors, who are healthy spiritually, physically, relationally and mentally. The evidence of strong churches with strong pastors will be a (3) strengthening of missions advance.

As Paul followed God’s mission globally, he exhorted the Ephesian pastors to watch over themselves and the flock over which they were overseers (Acts 20:28). This is not unlike the instructions given to Timothy to watch his life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16).

Ministry is a sacred thing! It requires the best of us to serve the church launched by the Holy Spirit, owned by the Father and purchased with the blood of Jesus. We are called to shepherd, which includes caring, leading and teaching sound doctrine. What a high calling!

But notice that in both instances, there is a priority for pastoral leaders to watch over themselves, to watch their own lives. In other words, pastors should care for their own well-being so that they can take care of the well-being of the congregation.

Will you pray with me that as God calls out individuals to pastoral ministry, they would say “yes”? Would you pray with me that those who are called would watch over themselves, living with integrity, and serve their congregations faithfully? Would you pray with me that Texas Baptists be effective in strengthening churches and strengthening pastors?

In the next weeks and months, we will share more about our GC2 strong initiative, our pastoral health networks and our opportunities to partner in missions.

For now, I leave you with two practical opportunities to encourage pastors and strengthen churches:

1. Pastors: Our Texas Baptists Golf Classic is an opportunity for pastors, ministers and other church leaders to fellowship. We work hard to make this a cost-recovery event to make it accessible to pastors and churches. This year, we have four locations. Join us!
2. Churches: Our latest Connect 360 Bible study by GC2 Press is DiscipleMaking: Patterns for Discipleship and Evangelism for the Contemporary Church. Order now! 

May God bless you and his church! Praying for a meaningful Mother’s Day for all!