I meet folks all the time, like myself, who wish they had paid attention to the stories and histories that were shared by parents and other older folks. In fact, we even say that we wish we had asked questions about the "olden days," and our heritage. Those stories, that information, family history and guidance for life is lost because of our lack of interest.
MUCH MORE SADLY is the fact that Christians do not pay attention to pastoral admonitions and instruction concerning marriage, child rearing, other family and social relationships, economics, education, vocational choices, health, spiritual decisions, ministry. Yes, every area of life.
* The pastor should be specially equipped by God to lead his sheep through the various terrains of life.
* The pastor does not have to be perfect, but he does have to be Biblical.
* The pastor should have learned from Scripture, Christian mentors, study, life situations, Holy Spirit leading, observations, personal successes and personal failures.
* The pastor should love his congregation and seek to serve them, not seek to control them.
* The pastor should be feeding, leading, protecting and sometimes shearing the sheep, for their own good. He should not be fleecing the people.
Colossians 1:25-29
(25) Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
(26) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
(27) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
(28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
(29) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
