Having observed
the American church for most of my life as a pastor's kid
and upon completing my first decade of pastoral ministry I have
learned that most shepherd-leaders face far more attacks from
"worldly Christians" then they ever do from
the outside world. The epistle of 2 Corinthians is case and
point. If I am being honest with you however it is only recently
that I have come to appreciate the pathos of this
glorious letter. Sure I understood Paul was
"depressed" and that his ministry in Corinth had come under
heavy fire from within but I did not understand why this fearless leader was so discouraged and
heartbroken. What gives Paul? Weren't you the apostle who told
others to, "Act like men and to be strong and courageous(1 Cor. 16:13)?!?" Why then did you
retreat from Corinth like a puppy dog with his tail between his legs (2 Cor.1:23-2:4)? How come you sent someone else to interact with the
congregation on your behalf? That does not sound very
manly. Why so many tears (2 Cor. 2:4; 12:19-21)? Do you think
you have it worse off then Jeremiah, besides, haven't you endured much greater
suffering than this? If you were actively trusting in Christ
than why did you still "have no rest in your spirit? (2. Cor 2:13;
7:5-6)? Why do you appear to threaten this immature and fleshly
congregation of what will happen if they don't repent, submit, and make things
right (1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 13:10)? Isn't this approach a
little heavy-handed and/or domineering? And why do you invest so much
ink talking about all the things "you have endured for sake of God's
elect" (2 Cor. 4:8-18; 2 Tim. 2:10)? Isn't your list of what you've been through in 2 Corinthians 11 a little "self-serving?" Finally,
why are you even defending the integrity of your ministry and the
validity of your apostolic authority (2 Cor. 11:1-12:21)?
Shouldn't ministers of the New Covenant just be faithful and leave
our reputations and ministries in God's hands? Suffice it to say,
it took over twenty years for me to understand and appreciate the agony of Paul as expressed in the raw letter of 2
Corinthians. Experience is often a wonderful teacher (painful as she sometimes is).
I have discovered that God sends his servants into all different kinds of local church contexts. If one were to read through Revelation 2-3 (Jesus' letters to seven real churches) it is quite obvious that being a pastor in Ephesus would have been much different than trying to lead say the flock at Sardis or the congregation at Laodicea. The same could be said if you compare the church of Philippi with the congregation at Crete (see Titus 1). Though I was not taught this next principle in seminary I believe that it's generally true. Novice pastors tend to be thrown into more difficult (unhealthy) church settings because veteran pastors typically gravitate towards joining stable ministries . Said differently, healthy, mature churches naturally look for more seasoned leadership. In saying this, I am not implying that biblical ministry is ever easy (see 2 Timothy 2:1-26; 4:1-5). Any genuine work of God that is advancing His purposes will become an immediate and direct target of the Devil. I am simply saying that some ministries are much more taxing and challenging then others (compare Paul's ministry at Philippi versus the many tribulations he describes while overseeing Corinth). Some ministries are more fruitful.
I have discovered that God sends his servants into all different kinds of local church contexts. If one were to read through Revelation 2-3 (Jesus' letters to seven real churches) it is quite obvious that being a pastor in Ephesus would have been much different than trying to lead say the flock at Sardis or the congregation at Laodicea. The same could be said if you compare the church of Philippi with the congregation at Crete (see Titus 1). Though I was not taught this next principle in seminary I believe that it's generally true. Novice pastors tend to be thrown into more difficult (unhealthy) church settings because veteran pastors typically gravitate towards joining stable ministries . Said differently, healthy, mature churches naturally look for more seasoned leadership. In saying this, I am not implying that biblical ministry is ever easy (see 2 Timothy 2:1-26; 4:1-5). Any genuine work of God that is advancing His purposes will become an immediate and direct target of the Devil. I am simply saying that some ministries are much more taxing and challenging then others (compare Paul's ministry at Philippi versus the many tribulations he describes while overseeing Corinth). Some ministries are more fruitful.
With this understanding many of the articles at "Post Tenebras Lux" are 1) intended to help prepare men for some of the challenges and obstacles that they will likely experience (unless they choose to serve first in a 'healthy' church setting as an assistant pastor with a group of battle-tested pastors/elders. If asked I would advise most new seminary graduates to pursue this option for a number of reasons). In writing this blog I also hope that my articles 2) will encourage believers at large to support the gospel work of those who labor among them in their own local church context (per 1 Thess. 5:12-13). If you have never experienced an explosive congregational meeting, a church split, or a mutiny praise God as you count your blessings. 3) For those readers who are pastors and whose ministries have been well received I would encourage you to consider reaching out to other local pastors who are laboring in difficult circumstances. What could you do to provide encouragement and support to a fellow brother-shepherd? Are you concerned about the work of God outside of your own context? We/I have been greatly blessed to have a band of brothers outside of First Baptist come alongside us over the past seven years. 4) Lastly, I really hope to encourage any battle-weary bond-servants of Christ who are tempted to believe that they are "laboring in vain" to not give up! One of the things that makes vocational ministry such a unique calling is that one can labor long and hard and sometimes see very little fruit. Without a robust belief in the goodness, wisdom, and sovereignty of God a church revitalizer will be tempted to abandon pastoral ministry altogether. If this describes you consider the wisdom of Spurgeon, "If God has called you to be a preacher do not stoop to be a king." Whether God has called you to pastor in Corinth or in Colossae let's make every effort (Col. 1:29) to build the Lord's Church (Matt. 16:18) according the Master's blueprints for the honor of the King!
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