“In the books and conferences urged upon us as pastors and in the pastoral models put before us, we feel a kind of relentless pressure to be better strategic and visionary leaders, more compelling communicators, more astute theologians, and better culture-shaping evangelists. But all of these other assignments get in line behind Peter’s instruction to us, ‘Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care.’”
Lee Eclov, Pastoral Graces: Reflections on the Care of Souls
Half a lifetime ago Jesus called me to be a pastor, a shepherd of his flock, a Wordworker given to his church. I am a captive of grace twice over. So week after week, year after year, I have preached, counseled, visited, baptized, served Communion, and gone to meetings. I’ve learned to pray better, and become more tender-hearted. I love the grace of God! I have come to believe that there is no work in all the world like being a pastor.
I feel a special bond with my fellow shepherds — other ordinary pastors like myself, and I delight in drawing them into the heart of shepherding. That’s why I love mentoring seminary students, writing for pastors, and speaking to pastors’ groups.
The Elders of my church, among others, have encouraged me to extend my ministry to pastors. I don’t bring growth strategies or new methods for success. I employ my spiritual gifts of encouragement and wisdom to build pastors’ confidence in shepherding–in the pastoral graces God equipped them to share. My tools are Scripture, stories, humor, and a fresh way of putting things.
If I can help you or pastors you serve, I hope you’ll contact me.
Is this the same Lee Eclov who once pastured in Beaver County Pennsylvania?
Hi Charles, I just saw this on my website. For some reason this didn’t forward to my email so I just saw it.
Sure is!
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your message with us at the rhma Conference in Lancaster PA. . The Lord revealed to me that I have been allowing some very difficult situations detouring me from shepherding the way that I used too. Thanks for allowing the Lord to use you to encourage me. God bless Rev. Brian Snyder, United Wesleyan Church Sandy Creek NY.
Brother Lee – thank you for taking me “under your wing” for a few minutes at the RHMA conference recently completed in Lancaster. It is good to put a face to the volumes of stuff you have on CTpastors. Keep pressing on – your “‘stuff” is having eternal fruit in the lives of people, like me, who are shepherded in the small towns that the Lord wisely (or humorously?) placed us. Thanks. Jeremy
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
– C.S. Lewis
Lee, how good it was to meet you at RHMA in Lancaster.
Brother Lee just wanted to thank you for the words of wisdom at the RHMA conference in Lancaster. Knowing that the burdens, wounds, and rewards of ministry is a common thread among shepherds allows me to refocus on the bigger picture of the Kingdom and less on my little corner of it. May God continue to use you as you encourage the shepherds.
Pastor, am glad to link up with you again through this platform. I was at the Village church sometimes in 2015 in company of some other Doctor of Ministry Students from Nigeria on an education visit to Trinity International. I enjoyed your message and was blessed with your pastoral leadership. Thanks for the mug you gave to me as a souvenir. I a coordinate a mission agency to the glory of God. Our missionary work is to the unreached peoples group in Northern Nigeria. You may visit our site on http://www.missionarypurse.com I hope to visit again if the Lord permits, keep on the good work. My love to your family.
Pastor, am glad to link up with you again through this platform. I was at the Village church sometimes in 2015 in company of some other Doctor of Ministry Students from Nigeria on an education visit to Trinity International. I enjoyed your message and was blessed with your pastoral leadership. Thanks for the mug you gave to me as a souvenir. I coordinate a mission agency to the glory of God. Our missionary work is to the unreached peoples group in Northern Nigeria. You may visit our site on http://www.missionarypurse.com I hope to visit again if the Lord permits, keep on the good work. My love to your family.
Hey Lee, Jeff Wilson here. We used to eat Bagels and drink coffee together at Einstein’s. Just wanted to say hello and say it’s good to see you still fully involved in the Lord’s work there at VCL. I appreciate your comments on your video on shepherding. God’s blessings to you in Christ.
-jeff
Hi Jeff, I’m not sure why, but I didn’t see your comment last fall when you left it. Are you still in PA? Thanks for checking out my website.
Lee, you were a real blessing to the people of the Northern Plains District. However, you have caused a dilemma for the Pastors in the District. Everyone is requesting we sing a benediction just like Lee! Maybe, you can interest your publisher in a “Lee Eclov Benediction Songbook.” Thanks for everything.
Do you know where I could get copy(printed) of your full sermon “The Sinners Feast”?
I have seen it quoted and would like to read the entire sermon. Thank you.
Thanks for taking my call this morning. My website is shepherdingtheshepherds.com and e-mail is pastorbrandt@knowingthesavior.org
I look forward to visiting again in the near future.