It was a Friday a few months back. Angel and I wound down a long day of ministry and climbed into our respective cars. We got on our phones to debrief the day and make plans. Our kids were out for the night and our connection group started in an hour and a half. “Want to meet up at Harvest for a meal, so we don’t have to throw something together for dinner?” I asked. “Yes!” she said. We embraced in the parking lot, strolled to the restaurant, and sat down to spend some time together before our connection group.

We caught the eye of a dear couple from our church at the restaurant and waved. They were with another couple, but came over and gave us hugs after we had ordered. “We don’t want to intrude, but we wanted to come over to ask if you would let us pay for your meal. Would you let us have the blessing of blessing you?” I’ve never been asked that question! We were amazed. What a kindness. What a mercy. “Yes, and thank you so much,” we replied.

This is one notable act of kindness among countless others. Not long ago two members of our connection group showed up within an hour of my text to help me move a jacuzzi. In our two local moves, we’ve had more than two dozen help us. Our small group dropped off meals at our doorstep when we had Covid. A member of the church regularly blesses me with pens and books. A couple at our church has gifted our Executive Leadership Team with their condo in Rocky Point for our annual retreat. Others have supported our children’s education through tax credits. And every year our church has a year-end special offering to bless pastors and directors that has spoken their love to us. I could go on and on. New Life, you are a loving and generous people. Thank you.

From time to time, I run into pastors who are angry and frustrated with their churches. Their irritation leaks out of them. I empathize. There are members who have hurt me, individuals who are stubborn and rebellious, and groups who have been hard-hearted. These issues need to be addressed. In his letters, Paul is often disciplining and rebuking individuals whose behavior is antithetical to the gospel. As leaders we ought to be careful, however. Is our spirit toward God’s people characterized by gratitude or annoyance? Is my heart toward the church driven by hurt or by thanksgiving?

While Paul never withholds his pen from correction, his heart is filled with love and compassion for his churches. Paul gushes about those in his churches and his partners in ministry. Of the church in Philippi he says, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Phil 1:3-7).

Paul commends Prisca and Aquila to the Roman church, “who risked their necks for my life,” (Rom 16:4). He commends Mary and Persis for their hard work (Rom 16:6, 12). Paul refers to both Epaenetus and Ampliatus as his “beloved in the Lord.” Paul says that the carrier of his letter, Tychicus is a, “beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord,” (Eph 6:21b). To the church at Colossae, Paul praises Onesimus, who is a slave, as “our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you” (Col 4:9b). Of Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus Paul says, “These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me” (Col 4:11b). In his letters to Timothy and Titus, he calls both affectionately his “true child in the faith.”

New Life, thank you. You have been so kind to my family and me. You have been patient with me when I have sinned against you; you have pressed in as my brothers and sisters in Christ. You have prayed for us and supported us. You have proclaimed the gospel, you have invited friends to church, and you have served faithfully. I love you, beloved children in the Lord. Thank you for your generosity.

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Photo by Howie R on Unsplash