A couple of days ago, I posted about the people who have influenced my doctrine. I would like to mention another (honorable mention, I guess): John Piper. He’s got some great stuff, and has influenced entire generation(s). Anyway, this post is dedicated to the people who have influenced the way I think about people. How I love them, care for them, discipline them, call them to repentance, and listen to them. This is a wide range of responsibilities (it gets even wider), but there is a wide range of people who have influenced me in this area.
- 5) Pastor Bob Midgette: He pastored Greenville Church of the Nazarene, my childhood church. The way he interacted with a small church, how he paid attention to people and their needs was impressive on me: take care of the individual.
- 4) Chris Anderson: Chris was my youth leader through high school, before I think I truly believed. He loved me, regardless of my habits and sin, and he loved my friends. He was the uttermost dork I ever knew, and most of the time I hated seeing him walk up to me, but in the end, I thank God that he did. I may not be here today if it weren’t for Chris. Chris showed me how to love non-believers and the act of nurturing planted seed until it grows to fruition: perseverance.
- 3) Dr. John Piper: Dr. Piper, as mentioned before in this post, has influenced entire generations with his doctrine. But what I notice from him is his love for the church God has granted him. He genuinely cares about his people living the way of Jesus, and doesn’t care otherwise if he gets published, speaks at conferences, or anything else. True example of a doctrinally sound pastor who emphasizes both. Purity and unity, as he preached a couple of weeks ago.
- 2) T.P. Phipps: The only person to make both lists, my grandfather has had a profound impact on my life, much less my ministerial life. He has not only shown me correct doctrine, but correct love as well. All of the churches he has built from the ground up and pastored, he truly loved and it exuded from him in a way that is indescribable to this day. He loved people, and he loved Jesus. They were hand in hand, and it was obvious.
- 1) Raymond Hoggard: For those of you who know me, this may be a surprise pick. Most of you may would’ve put my grandfather at number one. But at number one, I’d say my current pastor, Raymond Hoggard has most influenced how I view pastoral care. He genuinely loves people so much that it’s almost disgusting.
Some people assume it’s fake, but in the time I worked with him I can attest that it’s not. He’s like that all the time. He loves the church God has granted him, just as Piper does (perhaps more if possible), and he takes care of the individual as well. He, however, does not confuse perceived needs with spiritual needs, and therefore does not get lost in people-pleasing, but sticks with pleasing the King. In watching Pastor Hoggard, I see nothing but great love for people, and have learned a great deal. I still have a lot to learn about loving people….ask my girlfriend.
Well, that’s it. It’s refreshing to put stuff like this on paper (er..well, you know). This way, I can come back and see the influences on my life and ask what they would do in certain situations. I can ask what they would do because they do what Jesus did, in the same way Paul said “follow me, for I follow Christ”. Perhaps you should do the same.