Dear New Hope,

I’m sure there are a fair number of churches in our country where the pastor tolerates the people, and the people tolerate the pastor. By God’s grace, New Hope is not one of those! What a remarkable congregation you are! We regularly witness congregation members who are eager to serve; generous in giving; gracious in spirit; humble in attitude.

The apostle Paul uses “family language” to describe his affection for the church:

Nursing mother! “we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.” 1 Thess 2:7
Father! “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God. 1 Thess 2:11-12
Childbirth! It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! Gal 4:18-19

Depending on the situation, I can identify with the affection I feel for you:

• There are times where we need the gentle, nurturing affection of a pastor and church family who tenderly meet us in affliction like a mom. (I always went to mom when I was hurt because I knew Dad would just tell me: Suck it up, stop crying & rub some dirt in it!) There are times of trauma, crisis, death, and disease where we need comforting words and the tender affection of knowing that we are not alone. (We’ve all seen hungry, emotionally traumatized newborns who are instantly calmed when they are nursed by mom!)
• There are times we need the direct, straight-talk of a father who loves us enough to teach us, instruct us, and at times put a boot in our behind to keep us on the straight path. Fathers can show kids the ropes, teach a family trade, lead with common sense, train in the school of hard knocks, and when necessary they talk tough when we need discipline. (It was always my dad who would say: Run a lap; do it like this; hustle up; give me 10; do your best…and other sayings which are not repeatableJ)
• Then there is childbirth. Paul never gave birth, nor have I. But, the imagery is used here of a pastor who feels emotional and physical anguish over people who either wander from the truth or make really bad choices. (At my birth, my mom underwent emergency C-section because my umbilical cord was cutting off oxygen. She felt the anguish of the entire incision!) Many of us have felt this way at some point in life over people: whether it is the anguish of a prodigal child, a wayward spouse, or a close friend who betrayed you. Pastors feel this anguish at times, when people stop growing in their faith, get choked out by evil, or abandon their walk with Christ. It’s the part of life and church ministry that is not fun, but God is faithful to meet us in it.

Our pastors read a book this spring called The Shepherd Leader. The author quotes John Owen, who was a theologian, Christian author from the 1600’s. Owen was writing about what makes an excellent church when he listed 3 characteristics:

“a congregation in which everyone counts,
in which gifts abound,
and no one is sidelined.”

This is what our pastors desire for at New Hope. As we gently lead like nursing mothers, and firmly instruct like fathers, and at times feel anguish of childbirth over some who wander, our desire for New Hope is that we are a church where:

everyone counts,
in which gifts abound,
and no one is sidelined.

Make it practical and personal.

Do you feel that your commitment at New Hope counts?
Do you feel that your gifts are abounding in a way that blesses the church?
Do you feel that you are engaged on the field, or sidelined on the bench?

You are loved,

Craig Trierweiler