Humble Servants

"The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." — John Calvin

I read this recently at a blog I was visiting and Calvin's quote came back to me as I was pondering the role of the Pastor (Teaching Elder) in our congregations. I have previously discussed the Pastor here. In that post I was pondering what our responsibilities are toward him and about the great stresses and pitfalls which men who are called into the ministry encounter.

Just now I am thinking about the Minister and his position in relation to his congregation. He is an elder, but one by reason of his calling by God to preach the gospel . He has authority and great responsibility in expounding God's precious Word to the people. This is the voice Calvin referred to as gathering the sheep, He teaches, exhorts and Lord willing unites the flock.
In his preaching and teaching he also has the difficult task of admonishing and warning the people. Driving away false teachers and those who would draw the people into false doctrines and practices. Again, it is a reminder to me to constantly pray for the Pastor, his labour in the Word of God, his family and that Satan would not get a foot hold. It seems that this is the devil's delight ~ to strike the (under) Shepards and scatter the sheep.

Someone said to me that the Pastor is to be held in respect. I do believe and seek to do this as his office requires. I do think however that a minister can become haughty. Most of us who have been in the Church for many years will have seen men who have become so proud of their knowledge/ gifts etc that they loose touch with the people to some extent. Some times he goes off on a tangent on some doctrinal issue and maybe leads away a group of followers who have slavishly listened or causes members to leave the assembly because of his domineering tyranny. Often when splits in churches occur they are not even over an issue of doctrinal conscience but rather personality clashes. Unity is lost.

While we are all responsible to search the scriptures and test the teaching we receive, we should all be willing and teachable when we have been heading down a wrong path. We make the minister's job so much more difficult when we are dull of hearing and hard of heart. But we must also be wise as serpents, alert to false teaching and "hobby horses" being pushed. This means reading, praying, meditating constantly on the Scriptures.

I have been thinking of the Lord Jesus, our perfect example both in Christian life and for the ministry. Yes, he spoke boldly and always the truth. Not everyone listened or received his perfect teaching.
But he was also meek and lowly in heart. He was despised and rejected but he answered not again. He was a humble servant. He washed the feet of the saints. This is a picture to think upon and treasure. The good shepherd who would leave the ninety nine safe and go looking for one lost sheep.

I trust you appreciate and pray for your Pastor. May the congregation of the Lord's people be blessed by Godly servants, humble in their high calling to proclaim the Gospel. And with eager "Bereans" in the pews who gladly receive the Word and live it.
God help us.

1 Timothy 3
1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.