In short, 1 Thessalonians 2:4 calls attention to the ne commissioning, the responsibility of gospel stewardship, the priority of pleasing God over people, and the importance of integrity in ministry. It calls uss to maintain a God-centered focus in our lives.
.Day 2
Scripture Reading -- I Thessalonians 2:7-12
"With such yearning love we chose to impart to you not only the gospel of God but our very selves, so dear had you become to us" (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NEB).
An Exemplary Pastor
Years ago, a delightful book titled The Peter Principle spoke of the leadership disease of "structurophilia"--an obsessive concern with buildings, their planning, construction, maintenance, and reconstruction, coupled with an increasing unconcern with the work that is going on (or is supposed to be going on) inside them. Buildings have oft been hailed as the savior of a church. "If we can just get more space or a new building, our attendance will jump," comes the persistent cry from pastors and lay leaders afflicted with this disease. In the face of a bit of incompetence in leadership -- whether lay or ministerial -- decisions are made to invest in buildings rather than people and programs.
Ministry to individuals is what the church is all about, however. And the exemplary pastor is the one who gives himself away -- and in so doing finds himself (Matthew 10:39). I discovered quickly in my ministry that I could whip up a lot of statistical success through my own efforts, but that the real purpose of my ministry (Ephesians 4: 11-16) could be fulfilled only as I allowed the living, loving Saviour to think with my mind, walk with my feet, talk with my lips, and work with my hands.
A prayer for your pastor: "Father, may my pastor's ministry focus be centered on improving the quality of human behavior rather than on the building of large edifices."
Discussion questions
- Why do some pastors and church leaders focus more on building projects than ministry to individuals?
- How does giving oneself away, as described in the essay, benefit both the pastor and the congregation?
- In what ways might a church's building projects detract from its mission to spread the gospel?
- How can members of a congregation get their pastor to prioritize ministry to people rather than other "necessary" things?
Takeaways from 1 Thessalonians 2:8
- Deep Affection and Love: The verse calls attention to the deep affection and love that Paul and his companions had for the Thessalonians. This level of care and love is a fundamental aspect of Christian relationships and ministry. It declares the importance of loving others genuinely and selflessly.
- Mb
Paul and his companions did not just share the gospel message; they also shared their lives with the Thessalonians. This suggests that fruitful ministry involves more than just preaching or teaching; it involves building relationships, investing time, and sharing personal experiences. - Holistic Ministry: 1 Thessalonians 2:8 points to a holistic approach to ministry, where spiritual care is accompanied by personal involvement and support. It calls for a balance between verbal proclamation of the gospel and practical demonstrations of love and care.
- Community and Fellowship: By sharing their lives, Paul and his companions created a sense of community and fellowship. This makes for a strong, supportive faith community where members are strongly connected and care for one another.
- Sacrificial Love: The willingness to share not only the gospel but also their lives points to a sacrificial love. This serves as a model for pastors to get out of their comfort zones, even when it requires personal sacrifice.
- Personal Involvement in Ministry: The verse calls pastors to be personally involved in the lives of those they minister to. It reminds us tha ministry often requires more than distant or detached engagement. It requires personal involvement and genuine relationships.
To put it briefly, 1 Thessalonians 2:8 points to a ministry lifestyle defined by genuine love, personal sacrifice, and deep relational involvement, reflecting the heart of Christian fellowship and discipleship.
Day 3
Scripture Reading --1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
"We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:13, NIV)
A Pastor's Hope and Joy
For some people, their hope is wealth, security, or personal ambition. Their hopes terminate in this world. With the hear of a pastor, the Apostle Paul points us to a better hope, one that transforms his frequent physical sufferings. That hope centers on his beloved spiritual children and grandchildren, whom he has presented to Christ as trophies of grace. Their spiritual growth and progress rather than statistical charts are what makes his heart leap for joy.
Solemn responsibility rests on those who hear the Word of God mediated through Spirit-filled preachers. It is tragically possible for those in the congregation to be so preoccupied with the person of the preacher or so prejudiced by proud and obstinate thoughts that the Word becomes only words. To be sure, pastors are only fellow human beings. But they have been divinely chosen by God to proclaim His Word.
The proof of the authenticity of preaching lies in its results. A strong, biblically-based ministry will be received by a growing congregation as the Word of God. To be sure, Satan will feverishly erect barricades. But God has promised that these barricades will not "prevail" against the Church (Matthew 16:18), and that a pastor's true hope and joy will be vindicated.
A prayer for your pastor: "Father, help my pastor to carry out ministry in ways that produce spiritual children and grandchildren. Fill my pastor with hope and joy on this day."
Reflection Questions
- What are some things implied in the passage from 1 Thessalonians about the role of pastors and their relationship with their congregations?
- What might it mean for a pastor to refer to his "spiritual children and grandchildren"? How does this relate to the hope that Paul expresses to the Thessalonians
- How might pastors' attitudes about preaching affect the way in which their congregations receive and respond to their sermons?
- On what basis should one judge the authenticity of a person's preaching? How might this be relevant to contemporary discussions about the role and effectiveness of preaching?
- Could the prayer given at the end of the devotional blogs serve as a guide for Christians in their relationship with their pastors?
Afterword: Insights into the Nature of Pastoral Ministry
- Gratitude for Receptivity to the Word: Paul expresses gratitude that the Thessalonians received the message not as human words but as the word of God (v. 13). Pastors should be impressed to continually thank God when their congregation receives and embraces the gospel message as divine truth.
- Acknowledgment of Spiritual Transformation: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 declares that the word of God is at work in believers. Pastors should acknowledge and celebrate the transformative power of God's word in the lives of their congregants.
- Identification with Believers in Suffering: Paul notes that the Thessalonians became imitators of the churches in Judea, enduring persecution for their faith (v. 14). Pastors should empathize with and support their congregations, especially when they face suffering or opposition because of their faith.
- Focus on Authentic Ministry: Paul's ministry among the Thessalonians was marked by integrity and genuine care. He reminds them that he did not seek to please men but God, who tests hearts. Pastors should be mindful to maintain integrity and seek God's approval rather than human accolades.
- Pastoral Affection and Longing: Paul expresses deep affection and a strong desire to see the Thessalonians againl He called them his hope, joy, and pride that he could brag about before Jesus at His coming (vv. 17-20). Pastors should develop a sincere love and longing for their congregation, viewing their spiritual well-being as a source of joy and pride.
- Spiritual Warfare Awareness: Paul mentions that Satan thwarted his attempts to visit the Thessalonians (v. 18). Pastors should be aware of the reality of spiritual opposition and be prepared to persevere despite obstacles.
- Eternal Viewpoint: Paul views his relationship with the Thessalonians in the context of eternity, seeing them as his "glory and joy" in the presence of Jesus at His coming (v. 19). Pastors should keep an eternal mindset, understanding that their ministry has lasting significance in God's kingdom.
Day 4
Scripture Reading -- I Thessalonians 3:1-13
"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow . . . May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy" (I Thessalonians 3: 12-13).
A Pastor's Longing
Dallas minister George W. Truett pastored a congregation of 8,000 members that made use of a huge building complex. A staff of paid associates and a host of talented volunteer lay workersworked under his supervision. But he never stopped carrying a burden for specific individuals. One Sunday evening, he preached on prayer. The next day, he met a well-known lawyer on the street. The lawyer, who was not a Christian, referred to the sermon, which he had heard. Then he asked if the minister ever prayed for an unbelieving lawyer. Truett reached into his pocket, took out a notebook, and showed the lawyer his own name on a prayer list he had kept for years.
The term "pastor's heart" has come to mean increasingly more to me the longer I serve a local congregation. There is a real yearning and anxiety for every person on the responsibility list of that church, a yearning that every person will come to know all of the abundant life for which they were created. Too often, pastors and laypeople content themselves with light, empty banter about the weather when they need to long, as Paul did, for a personal word about spiritual life.
A prayer for your pastor: "Help me, Lord, to understand the deep longing and desire my pastor has for my own spiritual welfare. Remind me to respond to my pastor with heartfelt love and caring."
Discussion questions
- How would you explain the phrase "a pastor's heart"? Why is it important for pastors to have this quality?
- What does the story about George W. Truett say about the importance of prayer in a pastor's life and ministry?
- What does the passage from I Thessalonians 3:1-13 teach us about the role of love in spiritual growth and Christian community?
- What would you say are some common misconceptions that people have about pastors and their responsibilities? What are some ways these misconceptions can be dealt with?
Takeaways about pastors from 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
- Development of Love: Pray that your pastor will actively work on increasing love within your community and extending it beyond to all people. This might involve acts of kindness, patience, forgiveness, and service.
- Seeking Inner Strength:>/b> Pray that your pastor will develop inner strength to maintain integrity and faithfulness, especially in challenging times.
- Aiming for Holiness and Blamelessness: Pray that your pastor will live a life that reflects God's holiness and is free from blame. This includes ethical behavior, purity of heart, and matching up actions with biblical teachings.
- Living with an Eternal Mindset: Prompt your pastor to keep in mind the return of Jesus Christ. Let that thought influence daily decisions and priorities. Lewt iot help you form a lifestyle that honors God and anticipates His coming.
- Depending on God: Remind your pastor that spiritual growth and the ability to live a holy life result from God's work in people. Push your pastor to regularly seek God's guidance, strength, and transformation through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Day 5
Scripture Reading -- Ezekiel 34:11-16
"I will search for the lost, recover the straggler, bandage the hurt, strengthen the sick, leave the healthy and strong to play, and give them their proper food " (Ezekiel 34: 16, NEB).
A Pastor's Work
Don had been a Christian only about eight months. I often had morning coffee in the drive-in across the street from where he worked. Although he attended another denomination, we talked about spiritual things many times. One morning, he said to me in a low voice of desperation, "I go to services Sunday after Sunday, and all my pastor does is preach to sinners that they ought to get converted. I'm dying spiritually."
Unwittingly, Don had stumbled onto the fact that in American churches, the roles of pastor and evangelist became inverted about a century ago. This strange reversal has deprived churches of the biblical ministry of a pastor and has resulted in grossly impoverished and untaught people. Although they may not voice it as clearly as Don, multitudes of believers today feel the same gnawing hunger. If these saints are not led on into a deeper and clearer understanding of the great provisions of life and power available to them through the Spirit, they will grow dull and bored with the gospel which they hear every week and will fall into apathy, criticism, quarreling, bickering, divisions, and schisms and eventually may collapse into dissolute living and the double standards of hypocrisy.
A prayer for your pastor: "Lord, may my pastor know what it means to be so fully possessed by the Great Shepherd. May my pastor be a true shepherd of our flock."
Reflection Questions
- What is the difference between the roles of a pastor and an evangelist? In what ways can an inverted role of pastor and evangelist negatively impact the spiritual growth of believers?
- Would pastors better serve their congregations by focusing on a deeper understanding of the life and power available through the Spirit? If so, why?
- What can believers do to support and assist their pastors in their role as shepherds of a flock of Christ-followers?
- What are some practical ways that pastors can apply the principles of Ezekiel 34:11-16 in their ministry to their congregations?
Day 6
Scripture Reading -- l Timothy 3:l-7
"... a man of the highest principles" (l Timothy 3:4, NEB).
A Pastor's Qualifications
Your pastor desperately wants to see your church grow numerically, spiritually, and financially. Satan uses this natural desire to tempt pastors to take shortcuts so they can give glowing reports at district assemblies.
The use of questionable means to attain honorable goals is amply illustrated in a U.S. political scandal. Years ago, at the Senate Watergate hearings, Jeb Stuart Magruder testified, "When these subjects [burglary, illegal and wiretapping] came up, although I was aware they were illegal, we had become somewhat inured to using some activities that would help us accomplish what we thought was a cause, a legitimate cause."
Actually, the qualifications for a pastor are quite similar to those for any important leadership position. Paul mentions nothing here of persuasive ability, public-speaking talent, or charming personality. Rather, he says God looks for leaders who are sober, temperate, courteous, hospitable, good teachers, and good parents. It is this kind of person who will be able to live clean and holy in our moral cesspool of a world and who will be able, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to equip others to do the same.
A prayer for your pastor: "May pastors like mine determine what You have called them to do, and, laying aside all excess baggage, do it.
Discussion questions
- Why do pastors sometimes feel pressured to take shortcuts to achieve visible growth in their churches? What should they do to resist these temptations?
- How are the qualifications for a pastor similar to those for any important leadership position? Why do you think Paul did not mention persuasive ability or public-speaking talent?
- What are some practical ways that pastors can equip themselves to live clean and holy in today's morally challenged world? How can they help others do the same?
- What can congregations do to assist and support their pastors in maintaining high principles and in resisting pressures to take shortcuts or compromise their integrity?
- How can prayer be a tool for pastors wanting to stay focused on their calling while resisting the temptations that come with the desire to see "progress" and growth?
Day 7
Scripture Reading -- I Peter 5:l-5
You should aim not at being "little tin gods" but as examples of Christian living in the eyes of the flock committed to your charge (I Peter 5:3, Phillips).
A Pastor's Responsibility
"Little tin gods" is a colorful, contemporary expression for the Greek "exercising lordship over assignments."
This is a radically different Peter from the brash disciple we see in the Gospel accounts. Here, he is older and seems wiser and more humble as he seeks to fulfill the commission the Lord Jesus gave him following the Resurrection when He asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" and gave him the command, Feed My sheep. California pastor Ray Stedman put it this way, "Peter has now learned that the task of the shepherd is to feed the sheep, not to fleece them."
Peter had learned to be a servant to -- and not a lord over -- God's people. Pastors must remember that they are not called to be bosses. They are instruments, servants, and examples. Jesus said, "When the good shepherd puts forth his sheep, he goes before them." That is, the shepherd does everything first. No teacher has the right to teach whose life does not exemplify his teaching.
A prayer for your pastor: "May through my pastor's life and example I be led into a deeper and clearer understanding of the great provisions of life and power available to me through the Holy Spirit."
Discussion questions
- What is the significance of the phrase "little tin gods" in the context of pastoral ministry?
- How did Peter's transformation from a brash disciple to a humbled servant tailor his teachings on pastoral responsibilities in I Peter 5:1-5?
- What does it mean for pastors to be examples of Christian living for the flock? How does this relate to their role as a servant rather than a lord over God's people?
- What does Jesus' post-Resurrection command to Peter to "Feed My sheep" mean about the responsibilities of a pastor today?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in a pastor's life? How can a pastor's example lead a congregation to a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit's power?
-- Howard Culbertson,
The Come Ye Apart" is now published quarterly as Reflecting God by the Word Action Publishing Company and available through The Foundry.
Using "pastor" as the title for those who lead church congregations
The use of the word "pastor" in the Bible to describe those who lead church congregations carries several important meanings, reflecting the role and responsibilities of church leaders in Christian communities. Here are some things the word "pastor" should communicate to us:
- Shepherding Role: The term "pastor" comes from the Latin word "pastor," which means "shepherd." This reflects the biblical imagery of leaders as shepherds who care for their flock, guiding, protecting, and nurturing them. In John 10:11, Jesus describes himself as the "good shepherd," setting a model for church leaders to follow. The metaphor of shepherding implies a personal and relational approach to leadership. It puts emphasis on care, compassion, and guidance for the spiritual well-being of the congregation.
- Spiritual Guidance and Teaching: Pastors are spiritual leaders and teachers. Ephesians 4:11-12 states that Christ gave some to be "pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."This dual role involves not only leading the congregation but also teaching biblical truths, helping believers to grow in their faith and understanding of the Scriptures.
- Oversight and Responsibility: The role of a pastor includes oversight of the congregation. That involves governance, decision-making, and making certain that church activities are in sync with biblical principles and the mission of the church. This follows the principle in 1 Peter 5:2-3 that instructs elders to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you." This responsibility includes maintaining doctrinal purity, tackling issues within the congregation, and providing pastoral care through counseling and support.
A Dozen Memorable Quotes About Pastors
- N.T. Wright: "Pastors are called to be living examples of the beauty and power of the gospel, showing through their own lives the transformative grace of God."
- Charles Stanley: "A pastor's heart will break when they see the congregation failing to grow spiritually and falling into sin. A pastor's joy comes from seeing lives transformed by the Gospel."
- Billy Graham: "The test of a preacher is that the the congregation goes away saying, not 'What a lovely sermon,' but 'I will do something!'"
- John Calvin: "A good pastor should have two voices: one for gathering the sheep and another for driving away wolves and thieves."
- Rick Warren: "The role of the pastor is not to be the best on the team, but to inspire others to be their best for the team."
- Paul Washer: "A pastor's primary responsibility is to feed the flock, not entertain the goats."
- John Piper: "A pastor who does not pray daily for the congregation is a shepherd who does not care about the flock."
- Eugene Peterson: "The task of the pastor is not to make a living, but to make a life."
- Chuck Swindoll: "A pastor must be a shepherd who tenderly cares for the flock and guides them to safe pastures."
- Randy Alcorn: "Pastors are messengers, not massage therapists. They are to deliver the truth of God's Word, not pander to people's desires."
- David Platt: "A pastor's greatest ministry is not preaching but praying."
- John MacArthur: "Pastors must feed, lead, and protect the flock of God, knowing that they will give an account to the Chief Shepherd."
Statistical data on Nazarene pastors in the USA and Canada
Kenneth Crow was a church health/growth researcher for the Church of the Nazarene. One of his research projects produced the following:
Circuit rider pastors
Twenty-seven Nazarene pastors in the USA and Canada were pastoring more than one church. That is about a half of one percent of the pastors. Twenty-six of those pastored two churches. One was the pastor of three congregations.
Bi-Vocational pastors
Thirty-one percent of Nazarene pastors in the USA and Canada said they are bi-vocational. This was very similar to the 30% of Southern Baptist pastors who are bi-vocational.
Women pastors
Recent data showed that, in the USA and Canada, about nine percent of Nazarene churches are now led by female pastors. That is up from about three percent a few years ago.
Age of pastors
In 2019, the median age of Nazarene pastors in the USA and Canada was 54 years. That was six years older than the median of 48 years reported twenty years earlier.
The average age of newly licensed ministers in the USA and Canada remained about the same in a recent five-year period -- with a mean age of 37 and a median of 36.
How do you deal with conflict?
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