Supporting The Work Of Your Pastor

SUPPORTING THE WORK OF YOUR PASTOR (EPHESIANS 4:11-16)

The young preacher had just announced to his congregation that he was requesting the dissolution of the pastoral relationship in order to accept another call. He was standing at the door after the service and greeting people, as preachers are wont to do, when one of the elderly saints approached him, her eyes swimming with tears. She sobbed, “Oh, pastor, I’m so sorry you’ve decided to leave. Things will never be the same again.”

The young man was flattered, but was equal to the situation and took her hands in his and most benevolently replied, “Bless you, dear lady, but I’m sure that God will send you a new pastor even better than I.” She choked back a sob and was heard to say, “That’s what they all say, but they keep getting worse and worse.”

I am sure everybody knows a pastor or two or more. Some you are delighted with, others you have dedicated to or deferred to, and still others you might have dealt with, debated with or differed with. The work of a pastor is never done. Pastors have a vocation or a calling, not a job or an occupation. Pastors without a calling are not immune from stumbling or struggles, but those without a calling are bound to stray and slip.

Who are these pastors? Where do they come from? What experience does the person have? Is the person passionate or private? While all these are question on people’s mind, they are not the most important questions. The more crucial ones are, What is the pastor’s role in ministry? What does he do with God’s people under His charge and care? What is the best use of his time? Why does a church need a pastor?

Equip the Church to Grow

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph 4:11-12)

Your Pastor and mine:

If he is young, he lacks experience; if his hair is grey, he is too old; if he has five or six children, he has too many; if he has none,

he is setting a bad example. If his wife sings in the choir, she is being forward; if she does not, she is not interested in her husband’s work.

If he speaks from notes, he has canned sermons and is dry; if he is extemporaneous, he is not deep. If he spends too much time in his study, he neglects his people; if he is visible, he is a gadabout. If he is attentive to the poor, he is playing to the grandstand; if to the wealthy, he is trying

to be an aristocrat.

If he suggests improvements for the church, he is a dictator; if he makes no suggestion, he is a figurehead. If he uses too many illustrations, he neglects the Bible; if not enough, he is not clear.

If he condemns wrong, he is cranky; if he does not, he is a compromiser. If he preaches the truth, he is offensive; if not, he is a hypocrite. If he preaches an hour; he is windy; if less, he is lazy.

If he fails to please everybody; he is hurting the church; if he does please everybody, he has no convictions. If he preaches tithing, he is a money grabber; if he does not, he is failing to develop his people.

If he receives a large salary, he is mercenary; if a small salary, it proves he is not worth much. If he preaches all the time, the people get tired of hearing one man; if he invites guest preachers, he is shirking responsibility.

SO WHAT! They say the preacher has an easy time.

If you notice, the gifts God gave to the church are five, but the Greek article “some” occurs four times, one less time. This leads many scholars to suggest that the last “some” modifies “pastors and teachers” together, not “pastors” or “teachers” individually. The role of pastors and teachers are inseparable. No matter how caring, considerate and compassionate the pastor is, without teaching, churches suffer, stagnate and maybe shrink. Good pastors are more than just relational, affectionate and kindly; they must also be teachers, expositors and communicators of God’s word. The former is short-term, the latter longer lasting. Phillip Brooks say, “The preacher needs to be a pastor, that he may preach to real men. The pastor must be preacher, that he may keep the dignity of his work alive. The preacher, who is not a pastor, grows remote. The pastor, who is not a preacher, grows petty.” (John Stott, The Preacher’s Portrait, p. 81)