And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jer 3:15.
God instructed Jeremiah to deliver those words to a backslidden nation. Inspired by the Holy Spirit the Apostle Paul carried that message forward. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of thesaints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Eph 4:11-12.
Twelve months ago, God blessed The Fellowship Bible Baptist Church by giving us Pastor
Tolan J. Morgan and his family to lead us spiritually. From day one the mutual love between
Pastor and church family was established. And also from day one Pastor Morgan began to
embrace his God given assignment – to feed, perfect and edify the body of Christ.
Scripture provides overwhelming evidence that the pastor of a congregation is essential to the
spiritual life of that congregation. He is charged with perfecting and edifying. Perfecting by
using the Word to refine what God has begun to do in the life of each believer. And then
edifying by providing moral and spiritual instruction to the entire body of Christ. As during the
time of Jeremiah, we live in a society that is corrupt, sinful, and backslidden. And just like then,
God is providing pastors according to His heart to feed His children with knowledge and
understanding. I’m sure we can agree that the spiritual guidance Pastor Morgan is providing is
more valuable than silver and gold. In fact, we are being equipped to store up treasures in heaven
where moth nor rust corrupts and thieves can’t break in and steal. Now how valuable is that!
Not only is the message valuable, but the man of God is also valuable. On May 4, 2012, we
learned just how valuable the pastor is to the flock he has been called to shepherd. On that day
God called the only pastor this family had known – up to that point – home to his heavenly
reward. On that day, we realized the pastor and the role of a pastor is a thousand times more
significant than the mere act of preaching and teaching. We realized the spiritual life of our
entire household is tied to the one God assigns to pastor us.
So now when I reflect on the excellent pastoral leadership we’ve experienced over our short
thirty-six year history, I’m reminded of how the Apostle Paul described his relationship to
Apollos in I Cor 3:6, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase”. We are
experiencing a season of increase – in numbers, knowledge and understanding. It is obvious
Pastor Morgan has embraced his assignment to feed, perfect and edify the body of Christ by the
way he waters with the Word of God each week.
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Rom 10:15. Each
time Pastor Morgan stands before us we should remember that he has been given to us by God
Himself and according to His own heart to feed us with knowledge and understanding.