Don't Pass By

Some friends of ours, who used to be on staff at the church where I met my wife, run an incredible ministry here, in our home state,; helping kids that are aging out of the foster care program. They were are guests yesterday morning at church and preached an incredible sermon on the Good Samaritan.

As you've often read or figured out, something usually stands out for from Sunday's service that ends up being a catalyst for #seniorPastorMonday's focus and today is no different.

The Good Samaritan is of course, a moving story of the outcast of society who was compelled to take care of the guy who had been beaten, robbed and left for dead. The part that hit my yesterday, early in the message, is how the church failed to do what was expected of them. The priest and the Levite. The priest and the temple minister, essentially.

In modern terms, the pastor and another church leader, (insert label here)

Now, these guys saw the man, yet crossed over and avoided him. I hope that doesn't happen in today's leadership, but it probably does. More likely, that church leadership, especially Senior Pastors have so much going on, that they themselves don't follow the prompting to make an impact where there is a need right in front of them.

Granted... they can't fix everything. Yes, I understand the church should be doing more to impact it's community. And more, they should be equipping their people to do more as well. But that doesn't give Pastors a pass on seeing a need first hand ignoring it.

What precedent does that send, to those in need, but reinforce that the people who should care and be bothered, don't and aren't.

Pray with me, this #seniorPastorMonday (albeit, a bit hard to swallow) for those pastors, perhaps to busy and to influence, that they are missing opportunities to minister first hand to those in need. Whether inside or outside the church, pray they would respond with compassion, to the issues and situations God is placing them in to make an impact for the kingdom of God. May God help, where priorities, attitudes and habits need to be re-calibrated... that the church may reflect the image of Christ.

From the pulpit to the pew.
Wherever we go;
Whomever we see.
For the glory of God.

- PNC