For so many years, I’ve heard people tell me that the job of a pastor must be very hard work. Some days it is, and other days it isn’t. Sounds a little like your job – huh?? Yep, on a day-to-day level, we’re all similar in so many ways. I’ve tangible goals just like you, and want to be successful just like you. So is there any difference between our professions? Maybe a few, but here’s a biggie…….
Pastoring is “Heart Work!” Everyday for years I’ve tried to wrap my mind around that. Sure it’s hard at times, but more heart than anything else. Who can know the heart? I can’t! I only get glimpses. The bible says “From the abundance the heart, the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34. David said in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right Spirit within me.” Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?” Romans 10:9-10 says, “if thou shalt confess with they mouth Jesus as Lord, and shall believe in they heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
You see, the bottom line is, it’s all about the heart. When I pray, I pray that God will keep my heart right. When I lead, I pray that my heart will reflect Gods. When I counsel others, I see deeper than the issue at hand, because the reason the issue exists is, the heart. The reason marriages fail, the heart. The reason teens rebel, the heart. The reason church’s often fail, the heart. The reason people do bad things, the heart. The list goes on!!
So yes, pastoring a local church can be hard at times, but I would argue it’s much more heart than anything else. James 4:8 has been a prayer of mine for years. Let me paraphrase for all of us, “If we will draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Lets cleanse our hands from our disobedience to God, and purify our hearts.”
You see, Jesus came not only to change the heart, but to save it. That’s why I can’t put too much stock in my own abilities, talents, or gifts. Why? Because the local church was born from the heart of God, revealed in Jesus, and established by the Holy Spirit. The local church is to be led by the Holy Spirit, using willing vessels to fulfill Gods purposes, and with my biblical understanding of that, that is…..”Heart Work!”
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There is a BIG difference between being called as a pastor and that of, say a bank teller, or a any other secular position….In Matt we are told that if a shepherd should lead His sheep astray…preach that which is not truly what The Word declares, there are dire consequences in store for the shepherd….
I know that those, like myself, who are called to teach The Word are judged more severly…(James 3:1)…but the harsh words that are spoken regarding shepherds makes me glad MY calling is not to Pastor! The responsibility is far greater and the consequences for failure far worse!
Amen!!! I couldn’t agree more. What you say, only solidifies the truth, that I must continue to walk in the truth of the word of God, or else my HEART could very easily be deceived & led to do things that would hurt the advancement of the Kingdom of God. God help me! Pastoring is definitely HEART work, and I will give an account for this heart of mine. I’m glad Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to help continually purify my heart. Without the HEART work, ministry would really be hard work.:)
Jason
If The Church is to avoid the pitfalls that so many have fallen into..one would say that pastoring should primarily be SPIRIT “work”…the heart can be led by emotions, while THE Spirit is led ONLY by Truth…sensitiviity to The Whisper of God that is carried by His Spirit is the ONLY sure fired priotity of any pastor…..it is said that the average pastor only spends ~7 minutes a day in prayer…listening for His Mastor/Father’s voice and guidance….no wonder the Church is in such a sorry state… when shepherds spend more time with their “ears” tuned to the world, rather than to The Father, there can only be chaos and failure…..a lack of sensitivity to The Spirit results in a lack of Anointing in our services and our ministries…The biggest problem is that all too often each of us, pastors and sheep as well, do not COMPLETELY submit to The Spirit in HEART, Flesh, and mind…. His yoke is easy, His burden is light….when we try to make it OUR work, rather than His, we loose the foundation of faith, and the framework of trust He desires to bring about His Will for those we SERVE… rather than walking in Truth…yield TO Truth…there is a difference….the former brings results, but can lead to burn out….the latter manifests in a highway of Holiness… (Is 35) paved with the miraculous and leading to The Throne of God…. I plan on seeing you there!