This might seem a little self serving, but I actually wrestled with this question before I became a Pastor. I was studying the book of Philippians and came across 1:3 which says.
(Philippians 1:3) I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
And I thought to myself… What made Paul remember those people in such a favorable way… (and what does my Pastor think when I am remembered)… the text gives us 3 reasons why the Christians were remembered with thanks and joy by Paul.
#1) They participated – verse 5 uses the word “fellowship”, it means to partner or participate. When God gives vision (not ambition) to a pastor, it becomes a burden to him, and it is a burden that can only be realized as the people join with the pastor to accomplish it. I remember when we first moved here and started the church, my help consisted of my wife and two daughters and they did a great job and worked very hard with me, but when those first people showed up to help us get some things accomplished, it was tremendously encouraging, because I then realized that people were sharing in the burden that the Lord had placed in my heart….
#2) They were Growing - Seeing people grow spiritually has to be the most rewarding aspect of the ministry… verse 1:5 indicates that Paul could see God doing things in their lives.. (how else could Paul know that God had begun a work in them…see verse 7 also). When someone steps up to the plate to teach or to usher, join the choir or help in a SS class or minister in some other way, it is an outward sign of God working in their lives. Anytime someone is able to put the needs of others before their own (with the right spirit), they are showing the characteristics of Christ…
#3) They were Faithful - Verse 1:7 tells us that these believers in Philippi were there with Paul through thick and thin… when something was going on they were there… when Paul needed support they were there. When I stand in the pulpit, my mind thinks of two things… thank the Lord for those who came… and I wonder what is happening to those who are not here. That last part instantly turns to a burden, you immediately want to make sure that something has not happened to them physically or spiritually. I am so thankful that the Lord has brought many faithful people to Tri-State Baptist Church. There is not a person that I know who would accept the fact that their car worked “most” of the time… or the refrigerator kept things cold “most” days. We expect faithfulness out of the things that we use and rely on… Does God expect less?
In a day where the word “commitment” is looked at with reluctance, that is exactly the characteristic that brought joy and thanks when Paul remembered the Christians at Philippi.
So here is the big question… When your name comes up on the Pastor’s prayer list… how does he remember you?
Making a difference in Thompson Ct., Pastor Berard
