"Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

"Through many dangers, toils and snares."

I recently passed my eight year anniversary at the church I planted and pastor. The familiar line "through many dangers, toils and snares" came to mind as I sat at the church and looked through our archived photographs.

So many lives impacted, so many opportunities to make a difference, such minimal retention of souls. As I went through my records I found that, in eight years, we have had over 1500 first time visitors from our community.

1500 first time vistors, and we struggle to average 50 in attendance.

Each picture brought back memories of laughter and joy. Each picture represented an event, a special service, a baptism, a church sponsored sporting event, a camping trip, a picnic, a community service project and more.

Each picture full of faces. The faces of faithful saints, and the faces of those who have moved on, backslidden, or vanished without a trace. 1450 souls that we somehow failed to retain. The enormity of the thought staggered me.

In my eight years of pastoring, I have learned that it is much easier to win folks into an established church than to win people into a church that lacks critical infrastructure and support.

Those that stayed did so "through many dangers, toils and snares." They are a steadfast, hardy lot. They are true heroes.

In eight years we have survived a church split, extreme financial difficulty, lack of a suitable church building, `and minimal musical talent. As we have grown God has blessed, and each time we gather, whether it be a Sunday morning worship service or a Wednesday "Teen Night", the presence of God is present in a real and measurable way.

I have never seen a group of people who are more faithful, more committed, more loving and kind. They are as poor as old Job's turkey, but they are rich in relationship with our Jesus.

Last Wednesday night I had the luxury of sitting in one of our pews as one of our young ladies led us in worship. She had recruited two other helpers and, as they sang, the Spirit of God fell.

This young lady comes from a broken home. She has been through many "unmentionables", but she is faithful. I have watched her life as Christ worked on it. I've experienced sheer joy at the changes I've seen. God is so good.

Her two helpers come from similar situations. Broken homes, busted lives, shattered dreams, parents with no previous idea how to live as a family.

"Through many dangers, toils and snares."

I will admit that I do not feel successful. I would definitely be considered a failure by many of my peers. But in that moment, as the Spirit fell, I felt a fulfillment I have never known. I realized afresh that this is my calling, my mission, my passion. And that is enough for me.

Church planting is the business of survival.

Church planting demands longevity.

Church planting is deflating, rewarding, disheartening and joyous.

Church planting is the ultimate roller coaster ride.

I can make it through the good times, because I realize I am doing His work, and rewards are to be expected.

I can make it through the bad times because I realize that I am doing His work, and rewards, yet unseen, are to be expected.

It is the struggle that brings fulfillment.

It's the work.

The work of, and for, God.

"Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home."

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

Oh what a wonderful testimony, that brings tears to my eyes. Praying for you brother, keep on keeping on, trite I know but from my heart to you. May God bless you more abundantly than you can imagine with souls for the kingdom. Maybe some that have moved on have led more to Jesus than you know. Thank you Jesus for pastors like Pastor Poster that go through the many dangers, toils and snares.......and keep on going through them for your glory, Amen.

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

One of the few long posts that I have actually read j/k :)
Your passion and burden is obvious in every line of this. Let me just say that you may never know the full impact your message and the Apostolic experience had on all 1500 people you have touched. It is obvious that you all are doing your part (as evidenced by the fact that so few people have actually reached out and touched so many over the last 8 years). Too many people simply don't have the burden anymore.


God Bless,

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord 1Cor15:58

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

There is a great harvest coming!

Lev 26:4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Deu 11:14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

Bless you PP. Thou art a good man.

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

Pastor Poster, thank you for sharing your heart with us. I may not always agree with everything you say, but I certainly do have a deeper sense of respect for your ministry after reading this.

Hang in there, brother. Even if only ONE life is affected by your ministry, if it is the ministry that God has called you to (and I believe it is!), then you are a success. One soul means just as much to God as millions.

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

PP it is time you go to bed, wake up and take a different step.

Reading your post it sounded like ground hog day and Bill Murray is stuck in the dream of UPC ministers toil.

Do something different.

Just one thing and reach for the something that makes you happy.

What is your strength?

I recently started a post on the Testimony of Nate Eckstadt.

Just take the time to page back and find it.

All we did was take my small family.

My wife Ann, Sons John 18 and Cody 14 and start praying each night.

We prayed each night for the same thing to happen.

The one thing I aksed of our prayers.

We would all put our feet forward and do the right things to set up a chance for God to move.

In less than 2 months.

All of our prayers were fully answered.

I recently stumbled upon these words, "Always prepare for the unexpected".

Not the bad unexpected but for the good from God.

I went to being told my job would be ending in 60 days because of lack of sales.

To being the leader on my team.

I am just a couple of weeks away from selling 2.5 Million which is more than my entire quota for the year.

60 days ago none of these opportunities were in "My forcast".

They were in the "Lords forcast".

I would ask that you not ever look back at the numbers but look forward.

When I stood in my sons room for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

I had no more energy, I had done all I could do.

Now out of the one relationship came the second opportunity.

Now my company is on the map in my area.

The Lord wants to move on folks to find your church.

You just need to be ready for the unexpected.

Your work for the Lord has been tireless and with a great heart.

You deserve the next level.

N

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

Praise the Lord brother Nate, Amen.

Re: "Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares"
 

Pastor P--
What a great tribute to your people. Your pastor's heart is showing through your writings. You made me get all teary.