Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Out of Abundance

It was my privilege recently to interact my brothers-in-Christ among the Balangao (Mt. Provinces of the Philippines) using the book of Deuteronomy as our text.  I was invited to work with these church leaders, using the Old Testament as the basis for my encouragement of their lives and ministries.  It didn't take long to discover that they were, in the main, subsistence rice farmers who also serve as leaders in their local church.  There is no real concept of being on "paid staff."  Many of them walked hours to attend the seminars.  In the United States it's difficult to get full-time pastors to drive across town for teaching and encouragement.  Sharon reminded me that these pastors were responding out of their need, while so many of the U.S. pastors respond out of their abundance.  Myself included.  What those of us in the States often fail to recognize is our need.  Even in the midst of abudance.

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