Summary: Nick felt a little nervous one Saturday afternoon as he was on his way to return books his dad had borrowed from Pastor Baker. Our family hasn't attended any church until lately, but now I have to talk with the pastor! he thought. What in the world can we talk about? Maybe he won't be home. Nick parked his bike in the pastor's driveway and slowly walked to the door. Timidly, he rang the bell. "Hey, there, Nick," Pastor Baker greeted, taking the books Nick handed him. "My wife just took some of her famous chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. Are you hungry? Come on in." Nick never could turn down a chocolate chip cookie, so he followed the pastor into the house. As he greeted Mrs. Baker in the kitchen, Nick heard the sound of a ball game on TV--the same game he had been watching back home. "Looks like the game is done,"observed Pastor Baker. "You watch baseball games?" Nick asked in surprise. Pastor Baker laughed. "Sure. I've been a baseball fan ever since I was your age." He picked up a small pail. "Since it's over, would you like to go out to the berry patch with me? I'm going to pick raspberries. Why not come along and pick some for your mom? Maybe she'll make a raspberry pie." "Sounds good," said Nick with a grin. And that's how he found himself in a berry patch, talking to Pastor Baker about school and ball games and all kinds of things. "I didn't know pastors did . . . ah . . . regular things," Nick said after they had talked a while. Pastor Baker grinned. "Some people seem to think pastors study and read the Bible all the time," he said. "I'm sure we study more than most people because we need to teach God's Word to the congregation. But we have to learn all those lessons ourselves, too. We're really just like anybody else." Nick nodded. He was thoughtful as he went home with a plastic bag full of berries a little later. The next Sunday, Nick listened to the sermon more attentively than usual. Knowing that Pastor Baker liked baseball and chocolate chip cookies and working in the garden made it easier to listen--and to learn. How About You? Have you wondered what a pastor does when he's not preaching? Ask him. He'll be glad to tell you. Have you ever thought about being a pastor or a church leader when you get older? It's an occupation the Lord calls a "good work." Pray for your pastor and other church leaders, and be willing and available if God calls you to serve in that way. Today's Key Verse: This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop (pastor), he desires a good work. (1 Timothy 3:1) Today's Key Thought: Know your pastor and pray for him
