LEADERSHIP OF THE PASTOR
By Ken Blue
“(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Numbers 12:3.
When searching for an example of a pastor, we cannot find anyone better than Moses. He is called the meekest man on earth. Some people confuse meekness with weakness. Therefore, they assume the pastor must take a position of indifference and never control or correct the church. This is a wrong concept of “meekness” and of the ministry. We must understand that we cannot give people spirituality. We only have three things to give. We can give:
- Advice
- Influence, and
- Example.
I remember hearing a pastor, who led a large church say, “the two things he was accused of most, were a lack of love and being a dictator.” This is how people who resent leadership see you, and if you take the leadership it is the two things you will be accuse of.
Moses was called of God and he knew it. Moses was not eager to lead nor was he seeking a place of leadership. God called him and took time to convince him of His will for him. There are too many problems facing the pastor for him to not have assurance of God’s calling. Are you God called or are you simply a counselor and a social worker? A secure and confident pastor will have a healthy church; I did not say a perfect one.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]People who resent leadership will always accuse the pastor of two things: Lack of Love and Being a Dictator.[/perfectpullquote]
Moses loved God’s people and showed it. Moses would rather die than see God’s people destroyed. He would endure and suffer anything for them. Many pastors are hirelings and searching for the next best financial opportunity. The pastor who loves his people would pastor them without pay, if he could survive. Loving leadership leads to a healthy church.
Moses proclaimed God’s Word and defended it. The call to pastoral leadership is a call to preach the Word and defend it. Sound doctrine is the key to a healthy church. As time progresses, people will become less interested in sound doctrine. They will search for teachers who will sacrifice doctrine for praise and followers. We live in a day where it is practically impossible for believers to find a church that believes in an infallible Bible. The fault lies at the feet of false teachers and preachers who refuse to believe any Bible is inerrant. If your pastor corrects the Bible, you should look for another church. You can only have a healthy church where people have complete confidence in the accuracy and authority of the Bible.
Moses comforted God’s people. A good pastor must not only know how to comfort people individually, he must be able to comfort the church collectively. Many within the church are suffering from financial, family, health, and world political issues. A large part of the ministry is that of comforting others. Not only are believers soldiers, who are called to spiritual warfare, they are sometimes casualties in need of a nurse to comfort them. A healthy church is one where people can find comfort.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]As time progresses, people will become less interested in sound doctrine and will search for praise and followers.[/perfectpullquote]
Moses dealt with sin and exposed it. Most of the problems in our lives are because we are violating some Scriptural principle. Guilt, anger, insecurity, anxiety, gossip, personality conflicts, and a host of other issues are rooted in selfishness and a desire to have our own way. Not only must external sins be dealt with; we must go to the heart of the matter; and usually the matter is with the heart. A healthy church will not only preach against sins, it will help church members who are struggling with them.
Moses knew what people needed for health, and he warned them. There can be no health, soundness, or healing without abstaining from sin and rebellion. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that sickness or health issues are the result of your personal sins. Some could be, but not necessarily. However, spiritual sickness is always the result of sin. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.
Moses was human and blew it. Moses may be the perfect example of a pastor, but he was not a perfect man; no one is. He made his mistakes and so will your pastor. That is why all church members ought to pray for and encourage their pastor. Moses felt over-burdened with the many task before him. One of the answers was to involve others in the ministry. The work needed to be divided among the members. He needed someone to hold up his hands when he grew weary. Your pastor is not the Lone Ranger. He must have your help, if you are going to have a healthy church.
Many pastors and leaders keep believers in a state of “sickness” by focusing attention on their problems. That is a mistake. Spurgeon said, “When I look at Jesus, the dove of peace lights on my shoulder; when I look at the dove, she flies away.” Get your people to fall in love with Jesus Christ, and spiritual healing and health will return.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.