The Measure of Success (pt 2)

 

This is the unedited 'director's cut version' of an article I recently wrote for the Master's Seminary

How should we define "success" in pastoral ministry? In Christian parenting?  In missionary work? In the Christian life?

Take a look at the most-celebrated names in broader evangelicalism, and it would be easy to conclude that numerical fruitfulness is what defines ministerial success. But both Scripture and church history remind us that steadfast faithfulness is actually the true measure of success.

Consider the prophet Jeremiah, for example, whose tireless preaching was met with little to no visible fruit. Or William Carey, at the outset of his heroic missionary career, who waited years before there was any response to his evangelistic efforts.

In today’s post, I would like to consider some of the dangers that come from measuring success by the wrong standard.

The Measure of Success (pt. 1)

This is the "unedited director's cut" version of an article I wrote for the Master's Seminary 

Have you noticed?  Have you noticed that the list of plenary speakers at most of the major Christian conferences in America is typically compromised of well known ministers most of whom have also enjoyed abundantly fruitful ministries?  In light of this long-standing pattern it would be really easy to conclude that if a pastor/missionary/Christian parent labors long and hard in faithful service to Christ they too will experience similar blessings this side of eternity.  In other words, those who preach the Word with excellence, shepherd the flock with love, and lead God’s people with courage and integrity often come to expect like results.  If not Christian book deals, VIP status within the Gospel Coalition ranks, tens of thousands of Twitter followers; at least, a flourishing congregation and a growing church staff on the home front.  It’s the American dream and Christian ministry wrapped up in one.

Ministry Deja Vu

Deja vu "from the French, literally means 'already seen.'  Deja vu is the phenomenon of having the strong sensation that an event or experience currently being experienced has been experienced in the past, regardless of whether it has actually happened." 

As Bible believing Christians we do not really believe in things such as karma, luck, or deja vu.  Having said that, I want to highlight an important issue this morning using the phraseology "ministry deja vu."

I have learned over the past ten years of pastoral ministry that apart from a significant work of grace in someone's life history has a uncanny way of repeating itself.   This principle has been brought home to me especially in the realm of church membership.  

Why I Love to Study and Preach the Word of God

I love studying the Bible because as the glory of God is revealed in the pages of sacred Scripture it often sucks the oxygen out of my sanctified lungs leaving me prostrate in wonder, love, and praise. 

Studying through meals is not an uncommon experience for those who get to spend concentrated amounts of time with God in His Word. 

In this vein, it is not surprising then to read that Moses went forty days and nights without food or water while communing with the Bread of Heaven atop Mount Sinai!

In depth, expository study allows a redeemed sinner to experience mountaintop moments of doxology similar to what Handel recounted when writing his musical masterpiece, "Messiah."

It is said that "when Handel completed the 'Hallelujah Chorus' he exclaimed to his servant, 'I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God himself.' Again and again his servants found him in tears as he put to paper an awesome phrase or a devout passage.  And then, after the last monumental Amen had been written, he confided to a physician, 'I think God has visited me.” The exaltation with which Messiah was created is found on every page of the score.'"

Sanctification, Grace, and the Obedience of Faith.

"Stop being a theological nitpicker."  "What do you have against Elyse Fitzpatrick?"  "You MacArthur people are all truth and no grace."  "Don't you know doctrine needlessly divides.  Love conquers all (contra Ephesians 4:11f)." 

As many of you know I have taken some heat from friends for critical comments that I have made concerning Elyse Fitzpatrick and Pastor Tullian Tchividjian.  I am not alone here.  My specific concerns have been echoed by many pastors who are much better scholars than I am (please check out my recommended resources below).  If you are new to this important discussion, the following article by Richard Phillips is a good place to start; Where the Sanctification Controversy Lies.

Having said that, I think it would be profitable if I clarified my theological position with an article rather than simply post lengthy comments on Facebook.  My passing reference to Elyse Fitzpatrick today has to do with the ongoing controversy surrounding Fitzpatrick's "hyper grace" sanctification paradigm (imperatives vs. indicatives; God's love of benevolence v. his love of complacency, law & gospel; faith & obedience, Jesus + Nothing equals everything, etc).

Elyse's ministry partner and close friend Tullian Tchividijian was removed from the Gospel Coalition (his ministry blog was removed anyways) for issues related to sanctification, grace, and the obedience of faith.  On this point Phillips adds, "This is not a small number of angry men who are 'attacking' Tullian. Rather, a large body of Reformed scholars and leaders, including The Gospel Coalition but extending far beyond it, are gravely concerned that Christians are being told that they cannot pursue holiness and that their pastors should not tell them to do so."

Letters of Commendation

To whom it may concern, 

Pastor Caleb Kolstad has been our Senior Pastor for almost seven years now.  When Caleb and his family arrived here in 2008 they inherited a very challenging revitalization work.  Over the past six years Caleb has made every effort to help return First Baptist Church back to its founding commitments.  By God’s grace we are once again a Word-centered Church. 

The most important thing our Pastor has done is to faithfully preach and teach the Word of God each and every Sunday.  True expository preaching is a rare thing these days and we are blessed to have an approved workman that is wholeheartedly committed to rightly handling the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

Caleb has also invested much effort trying to disciple and train laymen (2 Timothy 2:2).  It is our Pastor’s conviction that godly laymen are the backbone of the church.  Caleb’s leadership training and development classes have pushed our men to develop strong biblical convictions as they seek to be God’s kind of leaders at home, in the community, and in the church.

Pastor Kolstad is also committed to being a faithful shepherd-leader.  Caleb and Andrea have had almost every new visitor into their home as well as many of our regular members.  Caleb also visits our sick and our ministry shut-ins.  Over the past many years Caleb has officiated over twenty-eight funerals.  Our Pastor loves his children and is one of our main teachers in our weekly Awana ministry.  

Finally, our Pastor and his wife are very active in our church’s biblical counseling ministry.  Caleb’s wife Andrea has her Master’s in Biblical Counseling and is a NANC certified counselor.  This too has been a tremendous blessing to our entire church family and to our community at large.

Pastor Caleb is biblically qualified according to God’s standards for the office of elder/pastor (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1).  He has been in pastoral ministry for close to ten years now. 

It is my privilege to recommend Caleb Kolstad for your doctoral of ministry program.  If God works out all of the details it is our Pastor’s desire to complete this program in four years.

Sincerely,

Chairman of the deacon board at First Baptist Church, Freeport

Letters of Commendation

Proverbs 27:2, Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

It is my privilege to recommend Caleb Kolstad (with his wife, Andrea) as a faithful and gifted man of God who has, through the years, given evidence of a true pastoral call, a heart for shepherding, and an unswerving commitment to expository preaching.

I’ve known Caleb and his family for many years, and I’ve enjoyed a long-standing friendship with his parents for 25+ years. I watched Caleb grow up, get married, get his training, serve in an internship in our ministry early on, and become a seasoned shepherd and preacher. I’ve had ample opportunity to observe Caleb’s character and diligence to learn. He has served the Lord with humility and wisdom, and continues to demonstrate careful attention to his doctrine and personal holiness. He’s a dedicated father who has an obvious rapport with his children and the respect of his wife. Caleb and Andrea are always eager to open their home and their lives to the body of Christ, meeting needs with a sacrificial heart without complaint. Their steadfast and proven faithfulness to serve, in any capacity God chooses, is a quality that, I am confident, will result in much fruit for any church.

Caleb is a warm and winsome shepherd with a proven love for the flock of God. I’ve always appreciated his diligent study of God’s word and ardent defense of its truth. Through the years Caleb has engaged the challenges of feeding and leading the sheep, speaking the truth with conviction and in love. He’s called me many times to discuss the current issues within evangelicalism, and he’s always on the right side of the issues with insight and fervency. He and Andrea have a healthy, happy marriage, and Andrea has always fully supported Caleb in the ministry callings given by the Lord. I believe that Caleb’s life and priorities are such that bring honor to the Lord, and I would encourage you to prayerfully consider having him serve with you in the pastoral capacity best suited to your needs. I highly commend their lives to you as exemplary and worthy of your serious interest.

For the Sake of His Name,

Jerry Wragg

Pastor-Teacher
Grace Immanuel Bible Church
Chairman of the Expositors Seminary