---- — The biblical book of 2nd Timothy contains one of the clearest descriptions of a minister’s work of any available. It is from Chapter 4, verses 2 and 5: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage, with great patience and careful instruction. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Now, let’s be honest here. Other than Jesus Christ, which of us could truly meet those conditions? Really? Well, let’s take a closer look at what your pastor is ordered to do.

• Preach the Word: My guess is that your pastor is probably pretty good at this part. Many ministers have earned a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree, so they have had plenty of time to sit under some exceptional professors who have required a lot of work from them.

• Be prepared in season and out of season: Now this starts to get a little sticky. You see, your pastor had to prepare a message for a funeral this week, plus there was that wedding on Saturday. Of course there is the usual Bible study as well as the regular sermon for Sunday. But that’s OK. Your pastor is a multi-tasker.

• Correct, rebuke and encourage: Wait a minute. How are we to rebuke someone while encouraging them? If I had to constantly correct someone, then make sure I gave them a warm, fuzzy compliment immediately after that, would I really be in the mood to be warm and fuzzy? I have to work on this one.

• Do those three things with great patience and careful instruction: Wait! How can I have patience when I’ve got to get done here and get back to preparing to preach the Word? Besides, I’m not really all that good at patience. I sort of like getting to the point. What do you mean the woman I’m talking to is starting to cry? Wait! I have to have patience here.

• Keep your head in all situations: Didn’t you hear me? I have to have patience. Now, be quiet so I can have patience with you! (Now don’t lose your head here; be calm!)

• Endure hardship: Oh yeah, that’s just great! Not only do I have to be nice, patient, keep my head, do a lot of work, rebuke and encourage, as well as be ready to preach at the drop of a hat, now I have to endure hardship. (I wonder if they are still hiring at that trucking company?)

• Do the work of an evangelist: Hold it! I’m a minister, not an evangelist. You mean I have to do that job too? When do I sleep?

• Discharge all duties of the ministry: That means meetings and stuff, doesn’t it? You’re trying to tell me that I have to work with a bunch of other people, and then come to an agreement with them on administering the church? I don’t think I’ll make it as a minister.



Here is the truth about being a minister. We can’t do it. No matter how hard any of us try, it just can’t be done. Unless ... unless Jesus Christ decides to specifically call only those who He has prepared into the ministry. You see, ministers are just people. We get tired, we get mad sometimes. We even make mistakes (more than we let on!). But, no person can actually do what Jesus calls us to do. But he chooses those He wants in that position (and most ministers are just like me – terribly normal in our ability). Then he empowers the Holy Spirit to come and do a work within those He calls.

That is our big secret. It’s not a job you can apply for just because you’re wanting to preach; it is a position that He has to invite you to join, and it is the greatest gift that you could ever receive. Why does He pick certain people? I don’t know a minister who didn’t wonder if God had made a mistake with them when the call came. Every minister feels unworthy of the call.

Next time you walk past your minister, why not pat him or her on the back and tell them you appreciate them? First, they will faint because they probably haven’t heard that before, but then they will smile and become your best friend.

“Thank you, pastor! You’re doing a great job!”

 

Dr. Richard D. Steinlechner is pastor of New Lebanon Community Church.