There are many common factors that get pastors excited about their work. Pastors get to see the best and worst of life, but there are so many positive things we get to experience.

Obviously, seeing someone become a follower of Christ or baptized as a believer has to rank as a highlight of the pastor's experience. This is what we are called to do. But those experiences aren't unique to pastors. Every believer, hopefully, gets excited about seeing people's entry into faith. This is the call of the church—not pastors alone.

So my list of the most exciting things a pastor experiences consists of things that may be more unique to the work of pastors. I'm not saying only pastors get excited about these experiences, but to pastors, these are especially exciting. I'm certain different pastors will have different answers, which is where the comments section can make this post even better.

Here are 7 of the most exciting things pastors experience:

1. A child who loves church. Children are the future of the church. Jesus loves the little children—and so should we. I love when a little child leads "them" to church—when I hear from a parent, "They woke up this morning excited it is Sunday!" That thrills me. I have little to do with the experience our children have at church—this is driven by other staff and volunteers (for whom I am eternally grateful)—but when a child loves church, I know the parent is sure to be excited also. And our future as an individual church is brighter.

2. Note-takers and truth-livers. Seeing someone follow a message closely gives me goosebumps of humility. Hearing pages of the Bible turn—that's priceless. Even better, seeing people actually live the truths they are learning—don't even get me started. When people start to understand the principles of grace and live out their faith individually, I feel we truly are living our mission of making disciples.

3. Sacrificial givers. Whether in time, resources or talents, the church is built on people willing to invest in her work. The generous giver, who gives with no strings attached, and especially without seeking personal recognition, is a sure way to make a pastor smile—maybe even dance. And, honestly, there are always a minority who really learn and practice the principle and joy of giving, which may be what makes it so exciting when it happens. When I see a man or woman in the parking lot or a baby-rocker in preschool, or someone who says "Pastor, I'm here to help you any way I can," I am encouraged to keep going. Their enthusiasm for serving others encourages me.

4. Visitors and people who invite them. Visitors—could we grow the church and sustain it long-term without them? Of course not. Every person in the church today, unless they were born into it, started as a visitor. Every new church member and every new opportunity to add someone to our discipleship efforts starts with a single visit. I love people who invite. I love those who come when invited (and statistics are in our favor: they will come if they are invited). I just want to hug them all. (I promise though not to hug you on your first visit—or ever if you prefer, because I want you to visit. Visit. Visit. Visit.) But, one of my favorite things on Sunday is meeting visitors and on Mondays, following up on visitors.

5. True disciple-making. Those who invest in others to genuinely help them grow in their faith—and those who are truly becoming disciples—thrill me. Those who help people understand the principles of grace and truth—whether through individual mentoring or leading Bible studies—help me know we are doing more than going through the motions. We are living the mission of the church.

6. New people joining the church. It's not just because I like church growth, which I do. It's because I know the church is a family and every pastor loves when the family grows. When people who have been visiting start coming more often and eventually decide this is the church family—wow. Exciting! I may try to look as though it's a normal day—I don't want you to think we are desperate for new members, or scare you as I shout, but inside, I'm bursting with joy.

7. When the church is the church. I am encouraged when I hear someone is in the hospital and a church member has already made a visit without being asked. I get excited when I hear needs within the church have already been met because someone took it upon themselves to help. When individual church members are more concerned about those outside the church coming to faith than their personal comfort inside the church, I know we are being the church. When the church behaves as we were called to behave, without a staff member or me having to lead the effort, I'm energized. Elated. Blessed.

Ron Edmondson is the senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. For the original article, visit ronedmondson.com.

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