In awe of pastors – and God’s plan

Six months into my job as Manitoba conference pastor (180 days removed from my former ministry as pastor of a local church), I have a brand new vantage point from which to look at pastoral ministry.

Distance from the daily work of pastoring a local congregation has aroused some strong emotions in me. Awe, followed by respect, is the dominant one. As I visit with pastors my thoughts go something like this: “You pastors of local churches are called to do supernatural, superhuman tasks! I can’t believe that I used to do what you are called to do! How do you do it?”

Pastors, you have my admiration for accepting the call of God to pastor. It has been said to me and to many other pastors, “You have the most challenging job in the world,” or, “I sure wouldn’t want your job.” I guess those comments balance out this one: “Sure wish I only had to work one day a week!”

“If only they knew!” I used to think. “If only they knew the cost of carrying the spiritual weight of a congregation: the sleepless nights, the physical and emotional wear and tear of unrelenting stress. If only they knew how some people choose to direct their anger and disappointment with God towards God’s messengers. If only they knew how much agony pastors exert trying to be faithful messengers of God, not just preaching godly words but preaching ‘the word of God’. If only they knew the tension pastors live in, the tension between pleasing people and pleasing God, between accommodating culture and being culturally relevant. If only they knew. . . .”

The apostle Paul knew. To one church he wrote, “I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28).* Watching over the souls of people demands real sacrifice: the proverbial “blood, sweat, and tears” as well as superhuman strength and courage.

Paul credited his staying power to the tenacious grip of God’s call on his life. (“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God . . .” 1 Corinthians 1:1.) He viewed ministry as a privilege. (“Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me . . .” Ephesians 3:8.)

Grateful for the people who received his ministry, Paul often expressed his love for the church. (“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” Philippians 1:3 NLT.) And, even though the apostle Paul knew more hardship than anyone I know, he did not give up. (“I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen” 2 Timothy 2:10 NLT.)

So why am I writing this? Am I trying to elicit sympathy for those called to be professional pastors in Canada?

Absolutely not. Compared to Paul’s pastoral experience, we have it good. I’m writing these words because I want to praise God for his “intelligent design.” God’s plan of calling, preparing, and equipping ordinary, weak, imperfect people to pastor ordinary, weak, imperfect people is brilliant! The awe I feel listening to pastors’ stories should really be directed heavenward.

Praise God for the mystery, the tenacity, and the effectiveness of God’s call. Obedience to this call is what keeps most pastors pastoring. God’s careful use of circumstance, people, and personal experience to prepare a pastor for ministry fills me with wonder.

And how amazing is the power of God that enables humans to do God’s work! As one preacher said, it is the Holy Spirit who “provides the anointing for the appointment.” Paul put it humbly and beautifully in 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”

Keith Poysti served as pastor at Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, for eight years before becoming conference minister for the Manitoba MB Conference.