How is a Pastor to Relate?

Pal? Regular Guy? All Round Go To Person?

Over the years I have noticed many pastoral expectations. Some want their pastor to be their best friend. I remember a pastor from my home church being enthusiastically being introduced as "a guy if you met him in a paint store you wouldn't even know he was a pastor!" Others see their pastor as someone who is on call for whatever need may arise in thier life -- giving them a ride across town, sitting with an elderly family member or putting up storm shutters at the last minute.

These approaches just always seemed a little empty to me. They remind me of the NFL/United Way commercials where football players walk old ladies across the street and read books to a stadium full of children. Nice, but not exactly a calling.

In 1 Thessalonians 2 Paul paints three pictures of a minister's relationship to his flock. Like a nursing mother, they are gentle, taking care of their children. (v. 7) Like a father, they exhort, encourage and charge their children to walk in a manner worthy of God. (vv. 11-12) And like a brother, they share the same journey. (vv. 1, 9, 14)

Now those are things that are worth spending a life on.

One last way Paul relates in chapter 2. He says the church in Thessalonica is his "hope and joy and crown of boasting" They are his glory and joy. (vv. 19-20)

This Sunday take a good look at your congregation....they are your crown of boasting!

Not sure there is much boast there? What they likely need is a nurturing mother, an exhorting father and an understanding brother.

Undampened Spirits -- 1 Thessalonians 2

These were weary days for the ministry team of Paul, Silas and Timothy. They had already suffered much and been severely mistreated in Philippi.

Preaching brought pain. Preaching brought rejection. Preaching brought discouragement. Preaching brought beatings and prison. While Paul had never heard of Pavlov and his puppies, Paul and company were in danger of being negatively conditioned.

One would understand if Paul became slightly less excited about preaching....or at least kept a low profile for a spell.

But as he walked into Thessalonica, Paul remembers they "had boldness in God to declare to you the gospel". As a result the kingdom was expanded and lives were changed.

It is quite possible you are in some weary days yourself. Your ministry efforts have not gone the way you wanted or felt they should. Your words have at times been rejected, ignored and sometimes opposed. To be honest, your passion for your call seems a little damp.

But let me assure, there are some Thessalonians who await your ministry today. May you find boldness in God today. It will not be in vain!