"What?"

"It might look like a lot, but I was reconciling your bank account and... I stopped by the real estate agent this morning and saw the house we had looked at last year. It's on sale!! Remember? The one with a pool, English Garden, acre of park area, beachfront property..."

"How much are they asking?"

"Only $450,000 — a magnificent price...and I see that we have that much in the bank to cover..."

"Well, then go ahead and buy it, but just bid $420,000. OK?"

"OK, sweetie… Thanks! I'll see you later!! I love you!!!"

"Bye...I do too..."

The man hangs up, closes the phone's flap, and raises his hand while holding the phone and asks to all those present:

"Does anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

WHAT IS A PASTOR TO DO?

Launching off the singular command of 1 Peter 5:2… “feed (shepherd) the flock of God,” we have been examining in recent articles the various responsibilities subsumed under that divine imperative. And for the sake of memory, we have begun each facet of pastoral ministry with a “p.”

A. Shepherding God’s flock involves PROVISION… as a pastor is to feed the flock of God the very Word of God.

B. Shepherding God’s flock involves PROTECTION… as a pastor must carefully guard and watch over the flock of God for those dangerous predators that would harm them spiritually.

C. Shepherding God’s flock involves PRAYER… as a pastor needs to engage in a ministry of intercessory prayer for people’s needs.

D. Shepherding God’s flock involves PERSONAL EXAMPLE… as a pastor must personally model the biblical truths he publicly teaches.

E. Shepherding God’s flock involves PASTORAL CARE… as a pastor must be involved in personal contact in addressing people’s needs.

While seeking to counteract an imbalance in many churches regarding a weak bible-teaching ministry, some elders have forgotten that they are “pastor–teachers.” This imbalance may cause them to neglect personal contact with the sheep throughout the week in such ways as a hospital visit, personal fellowship, a marital counseling session, a home visit, etc. And while pastors cannot afford to exchange the Greek text for a box of Kleenex tissues, they must not be unapproachable, nor totally inaccessible for personal ministry either.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12)

THE METAPHOR OF A NURSING MOTHER

The Holy Spirit has put on display in this passage a striking example of a true shepherd’s heart. This Pauline missionary team was personally gentle to these Thessalonian believers, much like a nursing mom with a newborn child. The word “cherisheth” means “to cherish with tender love.” These new converts were not just another statistical number for their Antiochian evangelistic brag sheet. They were truly loved by Paul and his associates.

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. (v. 8)

While shoveling sheep dung may be the down side of pastoral ministry, leading people to Christ and establishing enthusiastic new believers is certainly an up side. Yet, this does not occur without emotional and personal involvement as verse 8 indicates. Dear pastor friends, people are not an intrusion into your ministry, THEY ARE YOUR MINISTRY! So pray that God would give you a shepherd’s heart for people.

In light of this, Warren Wiersbe writes that, “Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.”[1]

Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. (v. 8, NASB)

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. (v. 8, NIV)

with such affection for you, we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. (v. 8, NET)

Does this sound like some ivory tower ministry, or an authentic love with personal and pastoral care?

These believers in Thessalonica had increasingly become (“were” — to become, involving a process) dear and loved by the apostle and his co-laborers. This is the normal by-product of a believer investing his time and effort via ministry into the lives of others. This wonderful reality certainly transpired between me and the dear saints of Duluth Bible Church. When I became involved in teaching the Word of God here twenty years ago, I loved the Lord and desired to teach the Scriptures. But I scarcely knew the people that I was teaching. Yet through weekly personal contact, times of fellowship, reciprocal giving, etc. these sinners saved by grace became very dear to me in a relatively short time. We are “family” from a spiritual standpoint and there is a strong bond of reciprocal love one to another.

Apparently this missionary team had an authentic, transparent ministry in order to allow such close personal contact. They had nothing to hide; no fear of being found out regarding some skeletons in the closet. They were the genuine spiritual article. Is this true of you?

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: (1 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

THE METAPHOR OF A CARING FATHER

Continuing with his analogy of parenting, Paul now likens his shepherding ministry to a caring dad.

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, (1 Thessalonians 2:11)

The missionary team had effectively reached out to “each one of you.” This involved both public teaching and personal contact, underscoring the value of a team concept and a body-life throughout the whole church (Ephesians 4:12-13). As equipped saints do the work of the ministry, it results in the edifying of the body of Christ in love. This also highlights the virtue of a pastoral and deacon team to distribute the shepherding and serving work load such as visiting the sick, encouraging the discouraged, witnessing to the lost, etc.

What three activities did Paul and his associates specifically engage in? They…

a. “exhorted” – to come alongside and exhort, motivate, to warn, or admonish a person like a dad does.

b. “comforted” – to speak comforting words; to console someone who is hurting.

c. “charged” – to urge or testify or implore a person to a specific course of action.

All three of these verbs are in the present tense indicating that these actions were repeated and norm for their ministry. But it is very important to remember that while you may care dearly for the believers you minister to, that ultimately they are the Lord’s sheep, not yours.

What was the goal or objective of their pastoral care involving exhorting, comforting and charging?

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

Does this kind of pastoral care and involvement require personal sacrifice?

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ… (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2a)

“To be left… alone” was used of a person leaving his loved ones at death. It refers to be left behind or forsaken, involving a sense of personal loss. The missionary team could have used Timothy at Athens, but the need was greater at Thessalonica. So they sacrificially sent Timothy. This reflects agape love and thoughtful action (“we thought it good”) due to a shepherd’s heart. Paul was not a hireling doing a job or fulfilling a career. He was a sacrificial servant of the Lord.

Verse 1 and 5 repeat the phrase, “when we could no longer forbear” revealing the human side of the apostolic-led team. They had feelings and emotions. They had breaking points and limitations.

They were not bionic believers but breathing flesh-and-blood saints. They personally cared; they rolled up their sleeves and got involved. May each of us be challenged to not fear the emotional and personal side of ministry but to meet its demands with divine resources.

It is helpful to note that when this Thessalonian need arose, they sent a person to meet the need as God’s instrument. And what exactly did these young converts need?

…to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: (1 Thessalonians 3:2b)

Timothy was to be used by the Holy Spirit to establish (to support, stabilize, strengthen) these believers via sound doctrine and to encourage them via personal contact amidst the persecution they were experiencing.

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. (1 Thessalonians 3:3-5)

Is this kind of pastoral ministry worth it in time and eternity?

a. From the standpoint of the recipient and the temporary results, your labor may or may not be “in vain.”

“In vain” means “to no purpose; without results; fruitless.” This is the agony and ecstasy of ministry. Perhaps a child was raised in a Christian home, but in college he “loses his faith.” Your ministry to him appears to have been “in vain.” Or consider a Christian gal who had much time invested in her via your youth ministry. Later she meets a nice looking Christian guy, but they lack a common scriptural doctrine or direction. But due to physical attraction or infatuation, she swoons over to this spiritual dead beat and your ministry seems to have been “in vain.” Or consider a man you may have spiritually nurtured and trained for ministry. Yet over time, he either labors in his own strength, shifts doctrinally, morally fails, or becomes bitter and leaves his ministry. In time, your pastoral care may seem to have been “in vain.” But thank God for the “John Mark’s” of life that rebound from failure by God’s grace and become “profitable… for the ministry” (Acts 13:5, 13:13; 2 Timothy 4:11).

b. From God’s standpoint in light of eternity, your labor is never “in vain” in the Lord.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

What an encouraging promise for every believer involved in serving the Lord and His Church, and especially for war worn, unappreciated tired pastors. Dear pastor friend, remember that “your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” But make sure it is a biblical and balanced ministry by God’s grace. Remember that…

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Humpty Dumpty lost his balance. And while all the kings horses and men could not put him back together again, praise God that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords can and will by His grace!

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Is your first name “Humpty?” g

Dennis Rokser has been involved with the Duluth Bible Church for the last 20 years, serving as pastor-teacher for the last seventeen years.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, On Being A Servant, (Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI), p. 3.