Last week I shared the five challenges I face as a young
pastor, and the feedback was interesting to say the least! I do however
appreciate all the feedback I get; thanks for taking time to read. I also want
to mention that I am glad that I began with the challenges, and I am ending
with the joys in this week. So here are six joys of a young pastor.
The joy of learning
from others
The joy about being young and a new pastor is that you have
many shoulders to stand on. There is a legion of people to lean on and learn
from, both dead and alive. I have had the joy of working and learning from
fellow elders in our local church and many members in the congregation. I have
had the joy of learning from pastors from other churches who have taken the
time to invest their time and energies in me. They have over the few years
welcomed me in their home and indulged my phone calls asking them complicated
questions. I have also enjoyed the privilege of reading about and from other
men who have served as pastors through church history. Whether in conversation,
observation or reading I am glad that I do not have to reinvent the wheel, and
I have the joy of learning from the experiences of others.
The joy of
experiencing firsts
A new pastorate comes with the joy of experiencing “firsts”.
You have the joy (satisfaction) of experiencing your first elders meeting, your
first members meeting (I am Baptist we love those), the first salvation, the
first baptism, the first wedding, the first child dedication, the first
project, the first missions endeavor, the first funeral and your first conflict
(the joy comes from overcoming the conflict through biblical reconciliation),
etc. There is an excitement that comes from experiencing these things for the
first time that makes them such joyful experiences.
The joy of being
deeply involved in people's lives
Pastoring people means you have the privilege of getting to
know them at a deeper and more intimate level. Part of the reason is that you
get to see people behind the ‘veil’. Every now and then you see people at their
most vulnerable such that it either sours the relationship or it develops into
a meaningful one (as is often the case). This is an awesome responsibility, and
the development of these deep and meaningful relationships is priceless.
The joy of preaching
the Word to the people you love
I love preaching. I love preaching so much that is about the
only thing I cannot (almost) say no to (to my wife’s annoyance). There is great
joy that comes from preaching if you love preaching; there is even greater joy
that comes from preaching to the people you love dearly. To do so week in and
week out is an enormous bonus.
The joy of seeing
souls saved
There is a great blessing to hearing testimonies of people
getting saved. Not just as a result of my preaching or personal evangelistic
efforts but from the evangelistic efforts of the church as a whole. There is an
overwhelming and satisfying joy in hearing people share how they were led to
surrender their lives to Christ but also from hearing members of the church
share how they had a successful evangelistic effort. It makes you want to shout
hallelujah and cry at the same time.
The joy of the “aha!”
moment
As you teach and shepherd the people, your eager desire is
to see them apply the truths you are preaching and teaching like yesterday! If
you have taught effectively (and of course the preacher always thinks he was
very clear), the people should live it. Sadly, life does not work that way.
There is a reason Paul told Timothy to teach and exhort with all patience. So,
you can imagine the disappointment young preachers endure, having waxed
eloquently, only to find people have not understood or applied it. Thankfully,
as you faithfully preach the Word, you begin to get “aha” moments. People begin
to see and apply the truths as they see it from Scripture. It is then that as a
young pastor, you also get an ‘aha’ moment!
With all that said, it will be helpful to conclude with a
few thoughts in order to give perspective.
1.
Our ultimate joy is found in Christ alone and
not the blessings of ministry. So while these things bring us joy, our joy is
not dependent on them.
2.
The joys of ministry far outweigh the challenges
we face in ministry. And our toils here on earth will be nothing compared to
the joy that will be ours when we see Christ face to face.
3.
It is disturbing when pastors, young or old, are
grumpy and always complaining. The joy of the Lord is our strength!
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