Editor’s Note: You can read our previous articles in the series “Genuine: Essential Qualities of a Godly Minister” below. This series of articles examines Paul’s description of his ministry in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.
Genuine: Essential Qualities of a Godly Leader
Quality #1: A Godly Leader’s Ministry is Confirmed by the Church
Quality #2: A Godly Leader Perseveres through Suffering for the Gospel’s Sake
Quality #3: A Godly Leader Preaches the Truth from Right Motives
Quality #4: A Godly Leader is Approved by God
Quality #5: A Godly Leader Labors to Please God, Not Man
Quality #6: A Godly Leader Does Not Use Ministry to Get Money
Quality #7: A Godly Leader Does Not Seek Glory from People
As we saw in the most recent article in this series, one way to avoid the snare of glory-seeking and an ungodly pursuit of honor is to cultivate a genuine love for one’s people, and that’s precisely what Paul did. He not only loved the Thessalonian believers with self-sacrificial service, he also was “affectionally desirous” of them. Paul had a heart-felt warmth toward these Christians. To use these brothers and sisters for the sake of his own honor would have went against his deepest desires.
A pastor cannot be someone who is merely fulfilling a task for a paycheck. Yes, it is a man’s responsibility to work. And yes, it is good and right to be paid for that work. But a pastor cannot conduct his ministry merely to earn a paycheck. A true minister of the gospel will love the people with whom God has entrusted him.
More Than Mere Duty
But this love, as Paul demonstrates, is more than the just doing one’s biblical duty (teaching, counseling, managing, leading). There was a deep affection for these people so that Paul and his associates were ready to “share with [them] not only the gospel of God but also our own selves.” Note the implication of this statement. Paul indicates that it is possible to give only the gospel to someone without giving oneself to them.
What might this look like? This is like a pastor who preaches well, offers good counsel, and shows great skill in church management, but never really gets to know the people, nor allows the people to get to know him. He doesn’t have any deep relationships with the men in the church, and he rarely spends time with members outside the church context. He doesn’t open his home or his heart to his people. He preaches the truth, but he doesn’t allow any closeness to form between himself and the other sheep.
“Personality” is Not the Problem
What compelled Paul to give his whole life to the Thessalonians? He tells us in the latter half of verse 8: “…because you had become very dear to us.” When a pastor neglects to give himself to his people, it is not ultimately due to his personality, although our God-given strengths and weaknesses will play a role in how more or less easy it is to give ourselves to the people we shepherd. The deepest reason why a pastor won’t give himself wholly to his people is because they are not “very dear” to him. He has not become “affectionally desirous” of them so he feels no compulsion to cultivate deep relationships with the people or to open his heart and life to them.
The problem isn’t personality; it is a lack of affection for the people of God.
But when a man has a Spirit-wrought affection for God’s flock, he will enjoy spending time, sharing his life, and pursuing relationships with them. This does not mean that a pastor must seek substantive friendships with every member in his congregation. Such a scenario is not realistic, or even healthy (see Prov 18:24). But there will be a desire to know his people and let them get to know him.
A pastor whose flock is very dear to him won’t try to isolate his interactions with church members and regular attenders to a few moments before or after the main worship service. He will invite them into his home, spend time in their homes, join in their family celebrations, and develop close relationships with a few men in the congregation. He will remember their names, their children’s names, and the various joys and trials they are experiencing.
On one hand, it requires discipline for a pastor to develop relationships with his people, avoid isolation, and consistently give himself to those he serves. Due to their natural proclivities, some men may need to work at developing healthy relationships with their people. But on the other hand, a pastor who loves his people will find these facets of pastoral ministry a joy.
On the whole, a godly pastor’s ministry will be well-rounded like the apostle Paul’s.
A Well-Rounded Ministry
Paul did not roll into town, preach, and then hide himself away from the people to study until the next time he was scheduled to teach. No, he shared his whole life with them.
Yes, preaching and teaching that edifies the congregation will require a good amount of time in the books, and a qualified pastor will never neglect this labor (2 Tim 2:15).
But if study is all a pastor is doing, he is cultivating a lopsided ministry and apparently has not paid close enough attention to the apostolic example. A godly minister is with the people on a regular basis: at fellowship meals and Bible studies, and joining in church events that don’t directly require his teaching ministry.
Importantly, a pastor who is giving his life to his people will more likely remain on a steady spiritual course and avoid compromise and moral failure. Why? Because his life will be open to the accountability and correction of fellow members. He will be less able to hide his sins and more open to the wisdom of fellow, Spirit-filled believers.
Are We Seeking Our Own Desire?
Solomon’s warning against isolating oneself applies to pastors as well as non-vocational Christians: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Prov 18:1). A man who only studies and does not spend time with his people must ask himself if he does so because he is simply “seeking his own desire.” A man with a bent to study may avoid time with people because he simply wants to spend most of his time in study, not because his pastoral role requires it.
It may be difficult for some pastors to admit this because they can excuse their neglect of the people by noting the priority that Scripture places on preaching and teaching. But if our devotion to study causes us to neglect Paul’s example, we can know that something is out of balance in our ministries.
True affection for our people will compel us to be with them. While we will place appropriate priority on teaching and its preparation, we will also follow Paul’s example and give our whole lives to them.
