By What Standard?
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry (1Tim 1:12)
In the organization of the church, our Lord placed significant emphasis on those who would be leaders of His people as He personally trained the apostles for the task of building upon the foundation He laid with their selection. Ironically, one served as an ominous example of everything leaders should not be as Judas Iscariot was a false professor, a liar, a traitor, and a cowardly, greedy robber of the poor who was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Jesus was not fooled by him but rather chose him as fulfillment of the prophecy of His betrayal. The eleven, however, were fully invested in the commission Jesus left them with as His resurrection sealed their utmost confidence in Him as the Messiah He claimed to be. This unwavering trust changed their fickle natures to follow Him unreservedly even to their deaths.
Despite the historicity of death threats, it is not disconcerting in my thinking how the pastors of the Lord’s churches are successors to the work of the apostles. We are not successors of the apostolic office because it ceased upon the death of John. We are successors to the leadership of the Lord’s churches. If there is any part of the pastoral office most personally agonizing, it would be the poor comparison of my performance to theirs. I need the mercy and grace of God to withstand the fear in my soul of my woeful inadequacies.
As I think through their perspectives of pastoral leadership, I wonder how I would instill enough confidence that God’s people would follow me. Why should I require the obedience demanded in Hebrews 13:17 and the expectation others should be concerned how joyful my ministry should be? I only claim this because the word says I may. The Lord offers no excuses for my weaknesses, yet He understands all my frailties. My abilities are less judged than my motivations when they arise from a sincere desire to serve Him. A pure heart has weaknesses perfected in the power of the Holy Spirit.
As I was contemplating these thoughts for this article, my mind was drawn into the close camaraderie experienced among the membership of the church. This gathering of people is my responsibility. These are the same who have covenanted together in the gospel and have made a commitment to each other and to the work of the church. Hebrews says I must give an account of their souls. Surely, nothing more plainly teaches church membership. The Lord does not hold me accountable for others, although I am happy to feed them when they visit our pasture.
With church membership, a better relationship is established in which I know my people as they know me. A shepherd recognizes which sheep belong to his flock and likewise the sheep know their shepherd. I suspect the sheep will accept many flaws in the shepherd if they are satisfied with the food he offers them. Through many years of pastoring, I recognize the flaws and am more aware than any of where I fall short of expectations. I may not be sure what to do to make up for the shortcomings, but I hope the food is nourishing and wholesome and you are able grow thereby. If so, perhaps you will look past me to the one who providentially enabled me for the ministry.
Pastor V. Mark Smith