*The following contribution is a poem authored by CBTS Alumnus, Ryan Parsons.
Will we be pastors, my brothers, or pulpiteers?
For whom will we labor and spend all our years?
Is it love of His flock that compels us to preach?
Is it shepherd-like care for His blood-bought sheep?
Is it labor that drives us down to our knees?
Do we cry out “O God, my God, help me, please”?
Will we toil by day and wrestle all night
Till He sends forth His blessing and help from on high?
Who is sufficient for this ministry?
Who, though a sheep, can shepherd His sheep?
Are we our own wells from which we draw strength?
Can we by our gifts sustain or give faith?
Can we heal their hearts or bind up their wounds?
Be hope in their homes and their strength renew?
Is it our desire to spend and be spent?
Will we hasten to go or wait to be sent?
Will we prove to be gifts to our Master’s dear Bride?
Will we live, will we die for those for whom Christ died?
Will we strive for holiness, humility?
Exemplify grace for His people to see?
Are our homes in order, managed in love?
Tended after the pattern of our Brother above?
Will we endeavor for Him to give all our years?
Offering ourselves, our blood, and our tears
In His strength, by His grace, for our short time here?
Will we be pastors, my brothers, or pulpiteers?
About the Author
Ryan recently celebrated his tenth anniversary with his dear wife, and they have five children.
He is a member of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, and is an alumnus of CBTS.
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This blog post is authored by a student of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary.
