A Word to Faithful Believers Who Bear the Weight of Unseen Shame

A Word to Faithful Believers Who Bear the Weight of Unseen Shame.

Sometimes it is difficult to live out our theology in the real world (see Psalm 73).  This is true for pastors as much as it is true for parishioners.  As Bible-believing Christians the Scriptures remind us that church leaders are merely servants and stewards.  Some plant, others water, but true spiritual growth is always God's doing (1 Cor. 3:5-9).   The glory ultimately belongs to Christ for every (truly) "good work" has His fingerprints all over it (Rom. 11:36; Eph. 3:20-21; Phil. 1:6).

When it comes to Christian ministry if a pastor's hidden ambition is to become a "who's who" of Christianity biblical compromise is inevitable.  It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that man-made growth can be achieved by following a series of slick marketing principles, by chasing down the latest ministry fads, and by skillfully implementing (mega)church growth theory.  The vast majority of ministries that are abnormally successful in terms of sheer size, numbers, and finances have succumbed to this (all too common) temptation.  Sadly, the "movers and the shakers" among us often host the major conferences wherein pastors like Hybels, Warren, Ferdick, and Andy Stanley lead other less successful local churches down this well traveled path of pragmatism.  Tragically, mile-wide churches that are an inch deep have become the norm, rather than the exception here in America (see Heb. 5:12-14; Col. 1:28-29; Eph. 4:11-16; and Rev. 2-3).  Spiritually vibrant, theologically sound, Word-driven houses of worship are increasingly difficult to find.  I know this because everywhere I move I hear this testimony among Bible-saturated saints.

It should be quickly noted, with thanksgiving, that there are exceptions to the norm!  For example, Charles Spurgeon, the so called "Prince of Preachers," pastored the largest congregation in the world without compromising the Word of truth.  Spurgeon was a theological heavyweight, a masterful preacher of Scripture, a courageous churchman, an intentional shepherd, a faithful mentor of men, with an evangelist's heart.  Today we think of faithful expositors in the mold of Spurgeon who pastor unusually large congregations; (think MacArthur, Begg, Dever, Pennington, De Courcy, Faberez, and Piper).  We should all be grateful for faithful church leaders who enjoy an unusual measure of ministry fruitfulness!

Having said that, the list of A-list conference speakers at even the most doctrinally sound events, such as Together For the Gospel, seem to suggest that the more gifted you are, the more books you write, the larger your platform will be!  "Ok great.  What's your point?"

The ministry rubber often meets the real-world road when a pastor finds himself serving in a church that is not growing (numerically or financially) like Kevin DeYoung or Matt Chandler.  You might even call this ministry "barrenness."  The longer this pattern of numerical stagnation continues the greater shame pastors often begin to feel.  "God's hand of blessing must not be upon that minister."  In some cases, it becomes increasingly difficult for these brother-shepherds to attend pastors conferences wherein "the triumphs of ministry" are frequently recounted  by those who lead "really large and successful" churches.

In America, the temptation to preach shorter and lighter topical sermons, to stop implementing biblical church discipline (contra Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5), to gloss over controversial subjects (such as same sex marriage, the holiness and wrath of God), to turn the worship service into a emotion-driven concert atmosphere is real.  The good news is that if I am describing your struggle you are not alone.

In the glorious gospel of Luke the Holy Spirit introduces us to a couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth.  This believing remnant of true Israelites are commended for their walk of faith and God-honoring piety in Luke 1:6.  By all accounts Zacharias went against the flow as a faithful priest in what had become a very contaminated religion; (I am referring here to 2nd Temple Judaism; Matt. 23).

Embedded in the details of this wonderful narrative we are told that Zacharias and Elizabeth carried a secret ministry burden. 

Be Encouraged and Press On!

Most believers realize that the Apostle Paul was a Christian lion.  He was one of the strongest and bravest men of God to ever serve King Jesus.  In comparison with Paul, and those like him, I am an absolute zero!   Having said that, 1 and 2 Corinthians include many, many, many humble expressions of weakness, sadness, and various admissions of pastoral discouragement.  In that vein, do passages of inspired Scripture like 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; 2:4; 7:6 11:28-30; 12:7-10 make the great apostle Paul any less of a faithful Christian role model?   Do these honest confessions make you less inclined to listen to him?

If the great Apostle Paul had "low lows" in Christian ministry should we expect lesser men to go through life valleys without grief, sadness, and their own seasons of discouragement?  As a Christian who greatly looks up to this eminent Apostle (per 1 Corinthians 11:1) I am most grateful for Paul's humble admissions of weakness throughout his many letters.  Paul was a man of great faith but he was also a man of clay.   Just like you and I, the Apostle Paul battled through life (Romans 7) and struggled in the ministry trenches (1 & 2 Corinthians, 2 Timothy).   Yet he is clearly one of the great heroes of the faith!

Lest you assume I am making too much out of one isolated example let me provide you with two more biblical examples.  I) The Psalms are universally loved by all of God's people, in part, because they are so raw and honest.   Many of the Psalms express despair, hurt, fear, betrayal, and lament all in the context of WORSHIP.   Are we greater soldiers of the LORD than David the giant killer?

Alexander the Coppersmith

"Alexander the Coppersmith did me much harm

but the Lord will repay him according to his deeds"
(2 Timothy 4:14-15). 

In college I was privileged to be discipled by a number of faithful men.  Pastor Mark Spansel was one of the godly men who invested in my life and future ministry.  Mark often let me use his office at the Master's College so I could study the Word and utilize his personal library "after hours."  As an extended family member of the late Dr. D. Edmond Hiebert Mark owned a number of books from the personal library of the great New Testament scholar.  One of the Hiebert books that has been most helpful to me is shown above. "In Paul's Shadow: Friends and Foes of the Great Apostle." 

It is obvious in reading the New Testament epistles that the apostle was not afraid to name names.  Alexander the Coppersmith was one of the many named "ministry foes" of the apostle Paul.  Apparently this metalworker wrecked havoc on Paul's pastoral ministry.  In time Alexander did God's servant a "great deal of harm."  2 Timothy 4:15 informs us that Alexander strongly opposed the apostolic message.  The rest of the backstory would have likely been very familiar to the original audience and so Paul does not say much more than this.

As a faithful Christian the great apostle tried to practice what he preached.  For example in Romans 12:18-19 Paul wrote, If possible, so far as depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'I will repay, says the Lord."  Instead of trying to settle a personal score in a fleshly way Paul left room for the wrath of God.  Paul believed that God Himself would "repay this man for his sinful deeds." 

As a faithful shepherd Paul also sought to protect his flock and Timothy from the contaminating influence of this Coppersmith foe.  So Paul mentions this man by name in a letter that would have been read aloud to the entire congregation.  In 2 Timothy 4:13-15, the apostle dually warns these believers of this human "leaven."  So what does Paul and Alexander have to do with me or FBC?