by Pastor John Kim

Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18) and this is actually a statement that I find great comfort in, especially at the moment. I think there are definitely times where church life can be great and other times when it can be somewhat discouraging. For those who have the calling to serve as pastors, life can sometimes be quite a rollercoaster ride when you take the various turns and bends that come with the development of a church. There can be times where church life gets a bit stale and mundane, which probably tends to be the majority of the time. There are also times of excitement and enthusiasm where for some reason (which maybe only God may know), there is a swelling of desire for the things of God and the members of the church display a fervency to live for God’s glory. Then there are times when it feels like there are some slow rolling waves of discouragement, usually crested with some criticism by those who seem compelled to emphasize the negative element, which in reality is always something that is there, but again, for some reason or another, is brought to the forefront by those who might have nothing better to do.

Over the past twenty years of formal ministry, you would think that I would be used to the patterns of ministry, the flow and ebb of the tide that would seem to be expected. But it still gets to me. All of it. The high points are really high points! I get excited and thrilled when people exercise a bit more enthusiasm for the things of God. The low points often take the wind out of my sails and I easily get so discouraged, many times to the point of just wanting to quit ministry. Then there are the typical days where it just seems like business. This wears at me like the slow steady dripping of a faucet. The slow but increasing degree of irritation starts to set in my bones to the point where I go crazy and I can’t help but get carried away with dreams of going somewhere where the ministry is more exciting and where people are hungry for the Word and want to make a difference in their communities. Then I wake up and realize that it probably is no different anywhere else.

This might almost sound like a depressing article to read but I share these thoughts so that you know what goes on in the heart and mind of your pastor. There is a subtlety in being a pastor where I get to the point where I actually think it is up to me to make something happen at Lighthouse. I think that my sermons might stir people to action, or maybe a new program will generate greater desire to be involved. I pursue strategies to see if we can more effectively help the various groups within the church or to incite a heart for the lost in our community. And sometimes it seems like it works. But in looking back, it is foolish to think that the mere attempts of a human being could manipulate the hands of Chrisvt. Christ is head of the church and He is the final authority over all that takes place in His church. It is in His place alone whether a church might grow or not and our Savior is not capricious or whimsical in His fancies. The glory of God is at stake and this glory is to be jealously guarded. God is not in the business of sharing His glory with others and when those in the church try to wrest it away, it is only the beginning of a slow and steady decline into becoming an “Ichabod” church, where the glory of God has departed. Oh there might be activity and even a lot of people, but it doesn’t mean God’s glory is there.

Christ must be recognized as the head of Lighthouse Bible Church by all who are members as well as all who attend. He is the Chief Shepherd and as an under-shepherd, I am simply tasked to obey Christ by fulfilling what the Scriptures call me to do – to preach the Word (2 Timothy 2:2), to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3), to equip the saints for the work of service (Ephesians 4:11-13), to guard the flock from savage wolves (Act 20:28-30), to keep watch over your souls (Hebrews 13:17), and to have charge over you and to give instruction (1Thessalonians 5:12). This can only be done through the empowering of the Holy Spirit and I ask for your prayers that I, along with the rest of the pastoral staff, would humbly submit ourselves daily to the Spirit’s leading over our lives so that we might be faithful shepherds who obey the Chief Shepherd’s mandate to lead you to His glory. It is my hope that our desire as a church would not be to find approval in the world’s eyes but that we would see our chief end to corporately proclaim and present the glory of God to a dark and lost world, to see the name of Christ proclaimed boldly and fearlessly, to share the hope that we have within us with gentleness and reverence, all that God may be pleased.

Christ will build His church, even despite our failures and our shortcomings. Let us be a church that reflects our Savior’s hands at work always.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to us these past eight years. We look forward, by your mercies, to see many more years ahead in serving you.