Let’s Talk!

March 28, 2012 1 Comment

I read a promotion for an author’s material in which he said, “After 25 years in ministry, traveling to 32 countries, and preaching to folks in every conceivable setting and denomination…” He then proceeded to give some advice to preachers and a way to get some materials of his, some of which, to his credit, were free.

More book jacket info about the author than I can count touts how he/she has sold so many thousands of books. Other book jackets tell of how large a weekend attendance at worship the author has as a pastor.

I’m wondering what any of this has to do with giving credibility to what the author has to say. Do the number of miles traveled, the volume of books sold, or the size of an audience expand our understanding or deepen our faith? It’s possible, but it’s also possible that staying in one place, writing to one person at a time in an e-mail or letter, and sharing in a small group could expand our understanding and deepen our faith.

So what about the author of this blog, A Pastor’s Heart? You’re probably asking yourself, Who is this guy, Dave Claassen? I suspect you’ll Google my name. I’ll save you some time and tell you that I don’t get invited to travel great distances to speak. I’ve done some writing but I don’t have a best-selling book. I speak every weekend in my church but it’s not to thousands of people.

What credentials do I have for writing a blog called A Pastor’s Heart? My credentials are my calling to be a pastor and for having been given a heart for pastoring a flock of his people. My goal in this blog is not to impart some great wisdom and insight but to share the journey I’ve been on as a pastor in the one church I’ve served for 36 years. In other words, I’ll be sharing something of my spiritual pilgrimage.

If you’re a pastor then you have been given a heart for pastoring and you have the credentials to contribute to the dialogue in this gathering place I’ve named A Pastor’s Heart. I hope we hear from Rev. I. M. Average who’s serving The Third Church of Ordinary located in Timbuktu. I hope we hear from you too!

What’s on your heart and mind? Join the conversation!

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Our Heart Needs Work

March 26, 2012 Leave a comment

Gary Thomas, in his book Thirsting for God (eBook, loc 2879), quotes Brother Giles.

“If a man were to live a thousand years and not have anything to do outside himself, he would have enough to do within, in his own heart, nor would he be able to bring the work to perfect completion – he would have so much to do only within, in his own heart!”

Cited in Brother Ugolino di Santa Maria, The Little Flowers of Saint Francis, trans. By Raphael Brown (New York: Image Books, 1958), p. 283

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Welcome

March 22, 2012 Leave a comment

Welcome to the launching of this blog, A Pastor’s Heart. This is to be a meeting place, a community of men and women who share a common calling, passion, joy, and, yes, sometimes, burden – that of pastor.

Much is written about churches and pastors but little about the pastor’s heart. Yet, this part of the pastoral anatomy is of utmost interest to the One whom we serve. We are reminded that “the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” (1 Samuel 16:7) and that “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” (2 Corinthians 4:5) With His help and the help of each other we can begin now this process of bringing to light what is hidden in darkness and the exposing of motives.

This blog is to be a gathering place of hearts. It is a place to share honestly and openly. Because this gathering place is on the web the door is always open for anyone to eavesdrop, perhaps someone from your congregation! To encourage honesty and openness we must allow for anonymous participation. It is not important for us to share our names, just our hearts.

So, welcome! To get the conversation started why not reply by sharing a heart condition you’re dealing with in your ministry. Let’s help each other get a heart check-up!

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