For the last 8 years, I was a Senior Pastor. In a formal sense, this meant that I did not have a pastor. (I served alongside pastors who loved me and looked out for me, but that is a little bit different.)

As just one of the several “Lead Pastors” at Hope Church, I now have the privilege of having Senior Pastor Vance Pitman and Senior Executive Pastor Travis Ogle as my pastors!

For the first time in a long time, there are two godly men who have been called to be overseers and shepherds over my life specifically! What a blessing. I am so grateful. The areas that I can see this benefiting me the most in the days ahead are:

The health of my soul. To have pastors that have/feel a responsibility for not allowing ministry to compromise the health of my inner life brings me great comfort.
The flourishing of my marriage. To have pastors that have/feel a responsibility for ensuring that my marriage is stronger than my ministry brings me great joy.
The utilization of my gifts. To have pastors that have/feel a responsibility for placing me in positions where my gifts can serve the body of Christ best brings me great excitement.
The fulfillment of my calling. To have pastors that have/feel a responsibility for guiding me towards the completion of every good work that God deposited within me brings me great peace.

Though I will continue to shepherd people in the areas listed above (as I continue to be a pastor myself), I thank God that in this next season men will be intentionally doing this for me! I pray I never take this for granted.

I encourage you. Thank your pastor today. May we never forget, we are not entitled to the loving, sacrificial, gracious care that they give.