First person: The calling of a pastor

I love serving as a pastor.

Since a calling that came at age 17, the joy of my life has been training for and working in the local church in order to build up the body of Christ. With all sincerity, I cannot imagine doing anything else, and I am grateful for the privilege of representing the Lord in this way. But, may I also make a small confession? 

Serving as a pastor is not for the faint of heart. 

RELATED: Check out more articles on faith and culture from pastor Adam Dooley. 

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Challenges, hardship

Numerous scriptural metaphors offer a hint of the challenges that sometimes come with leading a congregation of believers. While admonishing the young pastor, Timothy, the Apostle Paul instructed his ministerial protégé to be strong in the grace of God (2 Tim. 2:1) like a soldier willing to suffer hardship (2 Tim. 2:3-4), like an athlete who competes according to the rules (2 Tim. 2:5), and a like farmer who works hard to bring in a crop (2 Tim. 2:6). Taking his agricultural analogy further, Paul also reminded the Corinthians that some of the Lord’s servants plant and others water, but only God can grow His church (1 Cor. 3:6-7). 

Elsewhere we read that pastors must at times lead with the gentleness of nursing mothers (2 Thess. 2:7) and the strength of instructive fathers (2 Thess. 2:11). They are to labor as workmen who do not need to be ashamed, having handled the word of truth accurately (2 Tim. 2:15). Perhaps the most vivid of all, ministers should operate as shepherds who guide, guard, and grow the sheep of God’s fold (Acts 20:28, 1 Pet. 5:1–4).  

In addition, the New Testament utilizes the words elder, pastor and bishop interchangeably to nuance the various functions that caring for the flock requires. These include providing a godly example (1 Pet. 5:3), preserving the doctrine and unity of the body (Acts 20:29–31), managing the operations of the church (1 Pet. 5:2), and equipping the saints to do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11–12). All of these must occur as the pastor devotes himself to prayer and the declaration of the Word (Acts 6:4). Tasks like these are challenging, even for the most mature Christ follower.

Key to thriving in ministry

So, what is the key to thriving in ministry?

And how can you encourage your spiritual leaders as they keep watch over your soul (Heb. 13:17)?

Two reminders provide the necessary focus needed on both sides of the pulpit. When writing to believers in Corinth, Paul explained, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1).” These complementing descriptions provide both a word of reassurance to every pastor and a clarifying reminder for every believer under his care. 

A servant is one who receives orders from his Master. In a similar way, a steward is one who manages the affairs of another. In both instances, the abiding principle for ministry is that a pastor must live with ambition for Christ; he must live in accountability to Christ; and he should long for approval from Christ.

Though it is certainly counterintuitive, a minister is of better service to his congregants when he cares less about their opinions and more about what God thinks and knows. A supernatural accountability governs the life of every overseer in the church. 

Joy and stewardship

Those who lead by public consensus rather than personal conviction often miss the unbridled joy that comes with the stewardship of ministry. God’s workmen should seek to please Him no matter the consequences (Gal. 1:10, 1 Thess. 2:4-6). 

I am not suggesting that pastors should be free from all human evaluations. Jesus clearly warned that there will be false prophets among us (Matt. 7:15–20); therefore, we should test every spirit by carefully examining the doctrine of teachers in the church (1 John 4:1–3). Like the Bereans in the book of Acts, we should judge the quality of all teaching by the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Refuting those who contradict the Bible is of utmost importance (Titus 1:9).

Furthermore, turning a blind eye to the character standards required for ministry is a grave mistake (1. Tim. 3:1–7, Titus 1:6-9). Congregations should rebuke pastors who live in open transgression as a demonstration of sin’s gravity and as a deterrent from it (1 Tim. 5:19–21). 

Assuming, though, there is no doctrinal error or ethical breach, believers should rally around God’s chosen leaders with the conviction that each will make a unique contribution to the body of Christ (1 Cor. 3:4–11). Tragically, many of the difficulties of ministry are less about Scripture and more about personal preference.

So, pray for your pastor. Thank God for him. Follow his leadership. Realize the weight he carries. Love him. Appreciate him. Support him. Bless him. Be a friend to him. Honor him (1 Thess. 5:12-13, 1 Tim. 5:17). 

And dear pastor, remember, only God has the final say about the quality and effectiveness of your ministry (1 Cor. 4:5). Do not grow weary in well doing because the harvest is coming (Gal. 6:9).