A Pastor's Love

In the most difficult of times we experience a pastor's love.
Gently bringing God's hope to us like a peaceful dove.  

And in the best of times too a pastor is a part of our story,
Reminding us of the God above who deserves all the glory.

A good pastor spends the years planting in our hearts a seed,
That a holy relationship with Christ is what we really need.

And through the years a pastor is like a light in our home,
Standing steadfast when from God and church we roam.

But a pastor's love remains only for God's appointed season,
Then we who are part of the church's ministry hear the reason.

A different congregation wants and needs our pastor's love,
And we'll need to find a new pastor with wisdom from above.

We are sad because we don't want to lose our pastor today,
But we rejoice that our pastor will point others to God's way.

Our pastor modeled for us how to live for God through it all,
And with Christ in our hearts we will be strong and never fall.

So as we wish our pastor every blessing in the journey ahead,
We carry extreme confidence and faith as to heaven we tread.

By Alan T. Stokes 

August 13, 2000

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Written for Pastor Steve Hoffman on his last Sunday as pastor of Minneapolis Sonlight Church of the Nazarene before he moved to become the pastor at Fergus Falls Church of the Nazarene in Minnesota.

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