Fueling each other

Written by Zhey Chua |Posted on August 12, 2008 | Comments

Warren and I just got home from Manila where we ministered as photographer and blogger/writer for the very first Expositor’s Workshop. Five American and three Filipino pastors will mentor those who attended the workshop in becoming effective, equipped and capable expositors.

It was a blessing for Warren and I to be there, we witnessed about forty men of God who were so eager to equip themselves further, unmindful of the fact that expository preaching will add more labor to their already laborious jobs as pastors. Some of them came from as far as Sagada (northern Philippines, 6-8 hours away from the venue) bringing nothing with them except clothing, their Bibles and that burning desire to become more effective in bringing the Word to the grassroots level of the community that they are serving.

What is so encouraging about the Workshop is that we saw how willing these pastors are to step out of their comfort zones, spend extra hours, toil extra harder, dig deeper and even risk their pastorate just to learn and preach nothing else but the purity of the Word of God.

As an ordinary Christian looking in, it is inspiring to see these church leaders go the extra mile for the benefit of individuals like me. I see them sitting there being taught a surefire way to preach the Word of God BIBLICALLY, some of them sacrificed time and space with their families, loved ones, friends, perhaps day jobs, studies -whatever – just so they could bring the true Word to their congregations and I cannot help but ask myself, “How about me? What can I do as an ordinary church-goer to inspire my church leader?”

Shouldn’t this be a reciprocal kind of relationship that we must establish in order to keep each other encouraged and fueled? I sit there every Sunday morning benefiting from the labor, sacrifices, sufferings and endurance of the guy standing on the pulpit and I don’t even get a minute to think of ways to contribute to get that guy stand there longer, lest he literally falls flat on his face from hunger. Yeah! I saw different faces there yesterday and today and I tell you, your pastor is one hungry human being! Sure, you may be poor and hungry, too, but come on, what’s a little to bring comfort to the person who shepherds you toward the Kingdom of God?

It’s sad… It is heartbreaking to realize that behind those booming voices, scholarly demeanors, big smiles, warm handshakes and passionate hearts lie hungry stomachs… Possibly hungry children and deprived wives, too. And, Christians, we’re not even doing anything about it.