Charge To The Pastor—keep The End In View Pastor Installation Service

Charge To The Pastor—Keep The End In View

Rick Gillespie-Mobley

2 Timothy 4:7-8 1 Peter 5:1-4

Earlier this month, many of us shared in the joy of watching the Olympics. Athletes from all over the world dazzled us with their speed, their swimming, their gymnastics, their team sports, and a whole lot more. One thing that all of these athletes had in common whether it was an individual sport or a team effort was, they knew what they wanted to accomplish and disciplined themselves accordingly.

We all know that no gold medalist, just happened to show up the day before the Olympics and won the gold. We also know that no discuss winner, insisted on being allowed to run the 100 meter dash. Their goal was to train in advance for a particular event which they were equipped to excel in. They had an “end view” in mind.

Every pastor should have an end view in mind so that they can work backwards from that goal and make decisions for their lives and ministries. One of the best places to get that end view in mind is from the Apostle Paul in his letter to a young pastor by the name of Timothy. Paul knew that his life would be coming to an end shortly as he sat in jail, a man condemned to die.

In looking back over his life, he wrote these words in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.

The apostle lets us know that ministry is not always going to be easy. It is a fight. But notices he says, it’s a good fight. Experienced boxers know that they are going to take some blows every now and then, and some blows are going to hurt more than others. But the Boxers also knows the thrill of having won the match and the joy of celebrating with all those who helped to make the victory possible.

No doubt God will call you to do some things that seem overwhelming at the moment. But never feel as though you are in the fight alone. Allow your brothers and sisters on Session to carry the burden with you. Never forget, Proverbs 11:14 tells us that victory is won through many advisors.

When you see a fight coming up on the horizon, don’t be too quick to say, “The Lord has told me” because it immediately puts at opposition anyone who may want you to rethink what you’re planning to do. It also may cut you off from some valuable advice from others. Simply because someone is hesitant on a proposal, doesn’t mean they are against you.

The Spirit may be leading them to cause you to think of something you had not considered and your good vision may become an even better vision than before. Remember from our Old Testament reading that God told Abraham he would have a son, but he didn’t tell him it would be about 25 years before it happened. Be patient and allow others to come on board on their time table.

The Apostle Paul said, he fought the good fight. Not every fight that comes your way is a good one. Leave those fights alone and just walk away. You can’t defend youself against every accusation that will be hurled against you. Someone has said a bulldog can whip a skunk on any given day, but the smart bulldog knows it’s not worth the fight.

The good fight as a pastor means that after God, comes the family God has blessed you with. Fight to protect your time that is due to them, because others will try to steal it away from them with well-meaning programs or meetings. Fight the urge to go out and do ministry at the sacrifice of your family. Fight the urge to be one person in public, and another person at home. Fight the urge to believe that as long as you’re doing God’s work, God will work out things in the home. You will serve your congregation best by being an example of how a husband should love and serve his wife, and how a father should love his children. Take time to listen to your wife’s counsel. God has her there in your life for a reason.

The Apostle Paul said, I have finished the race. In his song, “What If”, Matthew West wrote the lyrics “My biggest fear is waking up to find what matters, is miles away from what I spent my life chasing after.” The reality is that we are all chasing after something as we run this race called life. There are three things that are going to hinder us in our race, when we should be running toward Jesus. The apostle John tells us they are, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. They take our eyes off the “end view.”