1 Chronicles 12:32 (KJV)
And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
I suppose I’ve always been somewhat sentimental about certain things, but I’ve reached a stage in life now where memories matter a great deal. Recording them somehow seems more pleasant and important than ever before. I do not know whether anyone will ever read these memories, but they matter to me to write them down.
This passage was preached at my ordination on December 29, 1983. Pastor Fred Scudder—my first pastor, the man who baptized both Anita and me and who performed our wedding—made the trip from Kennewick down to Platteville, Colorado, to participate in the service. It was a six-hour interrogation by six pastors, followed by a meal and the evening service when Pastor Scudder preached from this passage.
At the end of the message, I overheard Dr. Duane Onley comment to the pastor, “I rarely get fed at these types of services. You fed me.”
Pastor Scudder later spoke to me privately and told me to enjoy the ordination day. He said that pastors are rarely treated with the kind of honor they receive on that day. Over the years, I have found that to be generally true. I have been so blessed and privileged in my ministry that I have nothing to complain about and only thanksgiving to give to Almighty God. Still, people have not always been easy to work with, and even fellow pastors have caused more than just a little grief.
God has always been good to me.
People—not always.
Issachar’s numbers in this passage were the smallest of any tribe, but they made up for it in quality.
- They were aware of their times.
- They knew what needed to be done.
- They were able to lead others to do it.
What we need today are not multitudes of pastors, but this kind of pastor—men who understand the times, who know from God’s Word what people ought to do, and who have the ability to lead them in doing it.
#UnderstandingTheTimes #IssacharLeadership #BiblicalLeadership #FaithfulMinistry #KnowingWhatToDo
Not Many… But Faithful: The Kind of Leadership the Church Needs Now
Have you seen the times clearly—or are you still trying to make sense of them? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment and share what God is teaching you right now.
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