Somewhere between the call of God
and the sick ward of the local hospital
there exists a specialist in everything,
variously called...
minister...preacher...pastor...clergyman...He is a hero to his wife...a stranger to his children...a fine boy to his mother...an "easy touch" to down-and-outers...a name on the mailing list of hundreds of agencies and organizations...an example to his flock...To some people he's a fuddy-duddy...to some he's a stuffed shirt...to some he's a character, who has never lived it up...to some he's "Reverend...to some he's a guy who has nothing else to do but get ready for a twenty-minute sermon once a
week...To some he's the person in whose presence you must not cuss, drink, or smoke...To others he is a dear friend...a "johnny-on-the spot" when death's angel hovers near...he's the one whose ministry continues when a loved one dies...he's the man who can mend marriages, but who can't find time to fix his wife's toaster...he's the nice man at church
who pats the babies' heads, even though he's not running
for a political office...He's the one who marries young lovers...prays with the sick and buries the dead...He's a financial expert...a public orator...janitor...errand boy...typist...file clerk...writer...public relations expert...poor golfer...professional tea-sipper and punch-drinker...journalist...reformer...evangelist...pastor...business executive...counselor...prophet...bookworm...diplomat...human being...bass, tenor...planner...teetotaler...and usually a terrible golfer!
Ministers are found everywhere...
preaching in church
listening in meetings
teaching a class
looking at a clock...not looking at a clock
giving invocations...giving benedictions
waiting in maternity wards
sympathizing beside caskets
standing behind pulpits
pleading causes
serving on committees
studying the Bible
playing football with the kids on the vacant lot near the church
watching someone take a final breath
sitting behind a desk
lying underneath a car
standing on the roof of buildings under construction
meditating
dreaming
at home at dinner time, not at home at dinner time
standing before women's groups
delivering addresses
meeting in conventions
diagnosing the world's sickness and prescribing the cure
Sooooo...the next time YOUR Pastor reaches out for VOLUNTEERS remember how heavy His work load is, before you turn a "deaf ear" in his direction!
Author unknown