My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
A Three-Part Series on Golden Principles for Pastors: Part 3
Published by: Sam Crabtree
June 9, 2011
This post is the second of three in this series.
Golden Principal Three
(from my journal)
Build up. The main work is the work of building up, not tearing down. We don’t mainly damn, but bless (readily acknowledging that it can be a blessing to the people to condemn the right things).
Pastors are wise and helpful to do what they do out of affectionate love for God and the people. This love must be wise love, love that is willing and ready to exhort and correct, but it must also commend and affirm—all for the sake of the loved.
I have said many times, pastoring is not a career, but a love affair.
Pastor Sam Crabtree is Bethlehem's Executive Pastor and Lead Pastor for Life Training.