1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 - Pastoral job description
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
8 Having so fond an 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.
9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,
12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
NASU
Thoughts:
There is such tenderness in these verses. I think they encapsulate what should be the heart of a pastor for his flock. No one is perfect of course, but these verses lay out a grand goal for every pastor. Verses 11 and 12 further refine this goal: to build up the church, encouraging them on to godliness.
If you feel called to the ministry, these verses are a great heart check. For example, Paul's passion was for the people, not a paycheck (verse 9). For their spiritual growth, not his personal ease (verse 10).
Though these verses describe Paul and his companion's hearts as spiritual leaders, should they not describe each of our hearts for our brothers and sisters in Christ? Should not we share this same care for our pastors, as well? And for a lost world, around us?
Prayer:
Lord, the standards You set are so high, none of us can attain to them apart from the work of Your Spirit within us. Change our hearts, that we reflect Your passion for the spiritual health of those around us. Equip us to be Your ministers in the church, at work, at school, in the home, and on the streets where we live.
Amen
posted by Steve @ 12:03 PM
