River of Life Church
  • Home
  • How Can I Serve
  • Map
  • Pastor Mark Radeke
  • Giving
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact
  • ReMarkablog
  • Beliefs
  • Event Photos
  • Daily Bible Reading
  • Online Messages
  • Service Volunteer Sign-up

I Love My Church!

5/24/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I really love my church. You may say that is a very good thing because I am the pastor of the church. Truth be told, there are pastors serving that do not love their church. More specifically, they do not have a love for the people they are serving, teaching, equipping, challenging, encouraging, praying with and praying for. I just do not know how a person can do that.



I am finishing up a master’s program and yesterday did a case study presentation. It was based off our leasing challenges in our church. I worked with another student that is serving another ministry, some dynamics were added to make it a more integrative project. We presented the case study to the class for their questions, comments and concerns.

I found myself inwardly defensive when any criticism came up. Even though we made it a fictitious 151st Church of the North Suburbs, I felt like they were criticizing the people at River of Life. My insides wanted to defend and say how they did not know the quality of the people, they did not know their passion, and love for the Lord.

While talking to the Lord on the drive home about my inward reaction, I realized that my reactions came as the result of profoundly caring and loving the people in our church. I see a husband who has taken the most significant steps towards Jesus he has ever taken in his life. I see a young child that loves to sing to Jesus and talk to Him. I see a single person trusting the Holy Spirit to open doors in their workplace for a better shift. I see a wife and mother depending upon the Father to watch over her family.

I love that we are on a journey together. We are building a better church culture for the next generation. We are serving our community in creative ways led by the Holy Spirit. We are pursuing a naturally supernatural life as Spirit-filled and Spirit-led followers of Jesus Christ. I love the privilege of leading this adventurous group of people. I love being able to live this calling in
1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

I love my church!
I hope you do too.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Mark Radeke

    Husband of one, father of five, pastor and friend of many.

    Archives

    December 2022
    March 2021
    April 2020
    January 2019
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All
    10 Commandments.
    Bible
    Business
    Christian Living
    Church
    Dreams
    Easter
    Evil
    Famous People
    Finishing Well
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    Global Poverty
    God
    Grace
    Heaven
    Holidays
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Kingdom Of God
    Love
    Marriage
    Money
    New Ventures
    Outreach
    Parables
    Parenting
    Peace
    Poverty
    Prayer
    Prophecy
    Retreat Highlights
    Salvation
    Senior Citizens
    Spiritual Gifts
    Trinity
    Trust
    Valentine's Day Stats
    Water Baptism
    Wisdom
    Worship

    RSS Feed