To the pastors who stayed—
when the critics were loud,
the fruit was sparse,
and the ache ran deep.
To the shepherds bruised not by wolves,
but by the sheep they loved.
To the leaders who’ve quietly asked,
“Is this still worth it?”
Remember who your God is.
He is kind and strong, just and merciful.
He never grows weary, never forgets, never fails.
And he has not abandoned his church.
So take heart.
Not because you are enough
but because he is faithful—
and he will finish what he began.
Don’t forget: Your truest calling
isn’t in your ordination
but in your adoption in Christ.
Before you ever preached a sermon,
you were a beloved child.
Let that truth steady your soul
and renew your love for our Lord and his people.
May you walk in holy fear of
the one who created you,
called you, and keeps you.
May he guard you from temptation,
shield you from the Enemy,
and fill you with courage
for the vital work that lies ahead.
Rest in this: The church is not yours to build.
It is his. He is building it even now—
and will continue to do so until he returns.
Not even death can stop him.
Go in peace, and serve from the joy of your salvation.
Amen.
Chris Poblete, Editorial Director, CT Pastors
