Finding the Right Pastor

Finding the Right Pastor

1 Timothy 4:6-16

            Two quotes I read recently made me think about pastors and churches.  Since I am a pastor I have more than a passing interest in the subject.  I love my church—couldn’t love them more, although I expect that, over time my love for them will continue to grow, just as the love of a husband and wife continues to grow and deepen over the years.  I’ve told my congregation that I’ve never been in a church that hugs more, or that had so many smart alecks in it—two of my most obvious characteristics.

            The first quote has to do with the church’s obligation in finding the right pastor.  “If a church needs a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.” (The source is unknown.) 

            The only thing I would change about this statement is to add the word “perhaps” before the word “it.”  We all know there are some pastors who need to find another line of work.  For whatever reason, they’re not suited for this calling.  We also know that a church and a pastor may be traveling on parallel tracks.  There’s nothing wrong with the pastor or the church, they’re just not a match made in heaven.

Putting aside these two possibilities, the statement has a lot of merit.  Pastors need prayer as much—perhaps even more than—anyone else.  If you’re not praying daily for your pastor, start now!  She/he needs that support.  Words of encouragement are wonderful—don’t neglect them!  I know how good I feel when members of my congregation give me a verbal or physical pat on the back.  Raises are nice—when the church can afford them.  Don’t neglect the human side of the relationship, but the best thing you can do for your spiritual leader is pray!

The second quote is also anonymous.  It appeared on a church bulletin board.  It says:  “No church can afford to be a ‘non-prophet’ organization.”  (I also love puns.)

Among the worst things a pastor can do in the pulpit is tell church members what they want to hear.  If the pastor isn’t challenging the congregation to greater faith, higher hope, deeper love, and more enthusiastic service he/she is failing to fulfill the prophetic aspect of ministry.  The pastor is both prophet and priest.  The priestly function is to represent the people before God—to be, if you will, an intermediary between the people and God.  This is usually associated with liturgical acts of worship:  the Lord’s Supper, the pastoral prayer for example.  The pastor must also be a pastor—that is, be always shepherding the flock.  The Lord is our Shepherd, but God needs human representatives—and people need the comfort of knowing they will be cared for.  But the pastor cannot neglect his/her responsibility to be a prophet

Paul understood the need for pastors.  He understood the need for pastors who were themselves in a committed relationship with God, a relationship that was constantly growing and deepening.  His advice to Timothy is to train himself for godliness.  If a pastor isn’t godly, how can she/he lead the church to godliness? 

But training is only the beginning—although it must continue throughout the pastor’s life.  Paul also tells Timothy to teach, to set an example, to read Scripture, and to exhort.  “Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.”

He doesn’t stop there, but adds:  “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching [note the importance of teaching; Paul mentions it twice].  Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Pray for your pastor.  Pray for your pastor to be a prophet.  Pray for your pastor to be a teacher, a shepherd.  Pray for your pastor while your pastor prays for you.