I remain firmly convinced, based upon Scripture and my experience, that pastoral ministry should not be a competition. We should support, root for, rejoice in and serve to ensure the other’s growth. One major implication of being gospel-centered is that we actually want to see the gospel advance. In order to do this, we have to be willing to put the good news about Jesus and his kingdom ahead of our own little, imaginary, personal kingdom.
After all, we don’t believe that pastoral ministry success comes from our own wisdom, skill and innovation—do we? May it never be! We couldn’t possibly build anything lasting in the flesh. If there is a single footprint of faithfulness in our ministry, it is because of God’s grace. Therefore, how foolish of us to hide all of our trade secrets in our Moleskines like some greedy, insecure, glory-thirsty professional?
No, this is not the way of the one who follows Christ. We serve a King who gave everything away in order to serve others (Phil. 2:5-11). As pastors, one way we can emulate the King is to give ourselves away in the service of other pastors. That, too, is pastoral ministry. After all, we are promoting the big Kingdom of Christ, not the small kingdom of self.
I’m thankful for Pat, Bob and many others who live this. May their tribe increase!
