By Rev. Christopher B. Wolf
“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” says the LORD in Isaiah 43:18-19.
Though these words were written thousands of years ago, they speak anew for being a pastor today.
What does it mean to be a minister today? There are five cornerstones:
Leading with Vision
Spiritual leadership requires the ability to listen, to respond to, and to effectively communicate God’s desire and will for a congregation – His vision for His people at a given time. At the same time, spiritual leaders must also be able to perceive and name the very real challenges that the community faces. It would be easier to look away or focus on “other things” or leave in place the illusion of “everything is great.” But spiritual leadership calls for something much more daring – to speak the truth of the Gospel to the truth of life today. All over the nation, families are struggling economically, young people are falling into self-destructive behaviors like drugs and inhalants; and there is also the problem of violence and abuse in homes and relationships; and there seems to be a collective turning away from God. Therefore, leading with vision is acknowledging, and yet seeing through, the sin, chaos, and confusion, in order to steadfastly communicate what God’s wants to accomplish.
Preaching with Urgency
The humorous image of the congregation falling asleep during a sermon is on one hand all too often true, but is also the very opposite its purpose. Given the power of the Gospel, and given the terrifying prospect of so many aspects of life today, each Sunday, each sermon, should be a rallying wake-up call for congregations, not a time to hit the snooze button. The Bible addresses the issues that young people face, choices that parents and older adults have to make, as well as all other life situations. It is up to preachers today through the power of the Holy Spirit, to show how the Word of God speaks boldly to this very moment. The radical love of Christ, the clear calls to sacrifice and prioritizing, as well as concern for neighbors, are all articulated in the Scriptures and must be communicated above and through the noise and confusion of life today.
Caring for Congregation Members
The vocation of ministry carries such responsibility and demands great compassion – which cannot be manufactured. There is no other job or position in which people allow you into living rooms, hospital rooms and often the darkest places of their lives. And frankly, there are very few jobs that require the amount of love and compassion it takes to truly and effectively care for God’s people. Consequently, to be a pastor today requires the constant remembrance of this awesome privilege and the trust that is granted.
Caring for Self and Family
As complex and rewarding as ministry has become, there have also been destructive results. Minister burnout appears to be up in all faith traditions in addition to fewer people joining the ministry. It is crucial for pastors to care for themselves and their families as they care for the congregation. This also means that a minister has to let the congregation care for him or her. It is often hard for those who enter into caregiver professions like ministry to let others care for them. But I think of it this way: If I am not at my best, my service and care for the congregation suffers. So caring for myself is part of ministry.
Empowering Church Members to Meet Community Needs
Many pastors and churches have neglected their role as voices and agents for faith and values within their communities. Isn’t it clear now that the “decline” of our society, as far as values and morals, corresponds with the dissipating voices and influence of churches and other faith communities? Therefore, it is time for pastors and churches to regain and restore their prophetic voices when speaking to power and when speaking to society. To be a minister is to educate, energize and lead congregations to greater involvement in their communities. The head of the church, Jesus Christ, fully engaged His context. Likewise, the body of Christ – the church – must also.
And that is why wherever there is pain, wherever there is oppression, wherever there is suffering, injustice, loneliness and hopelessness – that is where I must go and lead others to bring the loving, hopeful, liberating, saving words and presence of Christ. In sanctuaries, living rooms, neighborhoods, hospital rooms, streets, classrooms, workplaces, courtrooms, and legislative chambers – this is where I must go.
And I must – despite all the rage, destruction, and desolation of this world – have the faith to believe that God is doing new things in our communities and in our lives and to perceive them springing forth.
Amen.
Discussion Questions
- What shapes your view of pastors today? How does that image compare with these above cornerstones?
- What do you think being a pastor means today?
- What role does the congregation play in the success or failure of a pastor?
- Are the above realistic expectations or are they too much? Can anyone realistically fulfill these? Why or why not?
- How would you prioritize the above five cornerstones? Please explain why.
Living Water 