Christian Living

Lessons Learned

by paul hoffmaster
04/03/22
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A few years ago I completed my pastoral ministry.  During those fifty-plus years, I experienced mountains and valleys.  The highs were monumental and the lows were vocationally challenging.   The mistakes I made were met with quick and sharp responses from the people I was sent to shepherd.  Instead of assisting me in addressing my missteps, they expressed their dissatisfaction with anyone who would listen.  There were times when the Holy Spirit caused me to correct my ministerial direction.  One of the most difficult confessions that a pastor can make is that he was wrong.  I guess it comes down to acknowledging who is the actual Shepherd of the flock.  Pastors are under-shepherds whose purpose is to take care of the flocks Jesus has appointed them to oversee.  Problems arise when pastors pursue their own desires and fail to understand they are called to promote Jesus’ agenda and not their own dreams and plans.

The pastor is to be more than a preacher and teacher.  He is to lead his sheep by example.   Paul was a living example of what he taught and was willing to make his life a living example of his faith.  He challenged his followers to imitate him. (I Corinthians 4:16; Hebrews 13:7)   Pastors must be a living illustration of what they share from the pulpit.  It is by their actions that reactions are initiated.  Paul stressed that the things they have learned from him and “saw in me” should be practiced. (Philippians 4:9)  Pastors are to be a walking, living example of what the Holy Spirit has directed them to preach and teach.  If pastors are not “walking the talk,” they have no business representing the Kingdom of God.

Jesus was the perfect illustration of love and compassion.  Jesus once traveled across the Sea of Galilee and through a storm to reach one person who was in bondage. (Mark 4:35-5:21) Too many pastors wait for the burdened to come to them.  Pastors expect their followers to help fill the chairs so people can hear the Truth.  Believers should reach out, but that in no way relieves the pastor from his duty to seek and save the lost.   Some churches experience the “revolving door syndrome” where people simply attend for some time and then decide to leave for whatever reason.  A growing number of pastors simply shrug off the exodus with the attitude that new people will fill the void.  The Scriptures teach that for every individual that has joined a body of Believers, the pastor will be held accountable to God for their spiritual status.  Pastors are to “watch out for your souls, as those who must give account...” (Hebrews 13:17)  With my 20/20 hindsight, I see where I have failed those who had submitted to my pastoral authority.  Since I can’t rewind my actions, I can at least share with others the importance of pastoral behavior.

It is interesting how pastors choose the “topic” for their sermons.   It should not be what the shepherd wants to say; rather it is what God has to say.  People are hungry for the Truth.  They do not want the Word editorialized.  Pastors must lead a life of prayer which leads to ministering under the tutorship of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 6:4)  People are not fooled.  They can tell if God is speaking through their pastor, or if he is just presenting his weekly “talk.” 

Pastors have been entrusted with the Gospel and it starts and ends with the people.  Sandwiched between them is the preaching and teaching of the Word. (I Thessalonians 2:4)