Matters of Faith
AT the starting line of an Olympic race, nothing looks particularly dramatic. The athletes stand still. The crowd waits. The runners’ muscles are motionless. The track lies open.
Then the signal sounds, and in a matter of seconds the race is over. To the spectator, it may seem almost natural: a brief flash of speed followed by applause. But those few seconds are never merely a few seconds. They’re the visible tip of years hidden from public view.
Behind that moment lie thousands of hours of training. Victory isn’t won merely by speed on race day; it’s won through long obedience before the race ever begins. If you’re a believer, you’re in a daunting spiritual race with eternal consequences.
Key #1: Radically Trust the Holy Spirit
If we’re prone to neglect one person of the Trinity, it’s probably the Holy Spirit. This is a tragedy. If we can’t draw one breath of oxygen into our lungs without his aid (Ps. 104:29-30), how much less can we persevere in the ministry without his constant breathing of empowerment (John 20:22)?
I wonder if one of the reasons for a high dropout rate among pastors is that we often try to do the Lord’s work without seeking his rejuvenating power. This divine power comes only through ardent faith and prayer.
Key #2: Pray Like Your Life Depends on It
Prayer is the breath of the Christian and the heartbeat of persevering ministry. If you want to persevere, dear pastor, take every aspect of your ministry to the Lord in prayer — every sermon you preach, every class you teach, and every visit you make. Pray, pray, pray your way through the ministry!
Oh, what sweetness you’ll find in sacred, childlike dependence on your heavenly Father. As John Calvin puts it, in prayer we climb into the lap of our heavenly Father and whisper our needs in his ear.
As ministers, we must be much on our knees in prayer. Our method of study should be on our knees, then back to our books, then back to our knees again.
Key #3: Soak Up the Bible as Your Highest Calling
As pastors, our power in public depends in large part on the quality and quantity of time we spend with God in secret (Matt. 6:6). We abide in Christ in proportion to the degree that his Word abides in us, and the Word abides in us in proportion to how much quality time we spend absorbing it — reading it, meditating on it, praying over it, memorising it, internalising it, preaching and teaching it, speaking it, trusting it, applying it, and fleshing it out through practical obedience.
With the Spirit’s help, digest God’s Word with consistency, read it systematically, and absorb it experientially. Linger over every divine word. Bask every day in God’s presence. Cultivate holy familiarity with him. As you do so, your soul will be invigorated with life, strength, and vitality.
By marinating in Scripture as pastors, we can walk with God like Enoch (Gen. 5:24), cultivate friendship with him like Abraham (James 2:23), know him face-to-face like Moses (Ex. 33:11), and enjoy sweet intimacy with him like the psalmist (Ps. 25:14). Through the Word, we can savour God’s presence and gaze on his beauty (27:4).
Key #4: Love Your Family with Passion
If you want to enjoy a long-term pastorate, be even more careful to shepherd the hearts of your wife and children than you are to shepherd the hearts of your church’s broader membership. The pastor must always be diligent to know the state of his family, who is his choicest little flock (Prov. 27:23).
Regularly ask yourself these questions: Are my wife and children spiritually dead or alive? Strong or weak? Well-nourished or starving? Am I doing all that’s in my power, the grace of God helping me, to see Christ formed in them?
Key #5: Aspire to a Long Pastorate
Until recently in church history, it was more common for pastors to stay at one church for the long run — often several decades, if not for his entire ministry. Charles Spurgeon served the same church for 38 years. John Gill served for 51 years. Benjamin Keach occupied the same pulpit for 36 years. Many contemporary pastors, too, are amid long pastorates. For example, Mark Dever has served Capitol Hill Baptist Church for 32 years, and Peter Masters has been at the Metropolitan Tabernacle for 56 years. This should be the ideal.
But sadly, many pastors leave their churches when trouble strikes in the first few years. Much like hired hands, they abandon the sheep when the sheep need them most (John 10:12).
Key #6: Lead Wisely
In pastoral leadership, know exactly where you’re going. But don’t push too fast, too far, or too quickly. Earn trust and credibility by building relationships and communicating clearly. A wise leader gets the right people in the right place at the right time according to their skill sets and commitments. Make effective decisions after considerable thought, consultation, and prayer. Delegate as much as possible to well-qualified people. Strive to manage your time well. Get organised and stay organised.
I like the idea of making three lists for each day: the “must dos,” the “should dos,” and the “like to dos.” Always know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it, even if it’s a leisure activity.
Exercise patient leadership with the flock. God calls you to lead them, not force them. – The Gospel Coalition.
