Jason K. Allen's Blog, page 36

Lord’s Day Meditation: “The Lord Trieth the Righteous” by C. H. Spurgeon

Lord’s Day Meditation: “The Lord Trieth the Righteous” by C. H. Spurgeon (Morning and Evening, September 3, Evening)

“The Lord trieth the righteous.” (Psalm 11:5)

All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God’s ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon his people’s faith that he will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.

Has God Gifted You to Preach and Teach His Word?

In the midst of the 2008 global financial crisis, Warren Buffet famously observed, “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” Buffet was reflecting on the banks and financial firms that had insufficient capital to meet their financial obligations during the steep market downturn, but his words apply to the ministry as well. Preaching and teaching God’s Word has a way of stripping ministers bare; it exposes us and puts our gifting on public display. You can’t finesse your way through preaching with polished appearance, warm people skills, or seminary credentials alone. When you stand before God’s people with Bible in hand, the tide goes out. It is in those moments of truth, when you attempt to speak on behalf of God, that all will see the veracity of your calling.

ABLE TO TEACH

The Greek phrase translated “able to teach” occurs in the New Testament only in 1 Timothy 3:2 and 2 Timothy 2:24. It simply means “able to explain God’s Word with skill.” The emphasis is not so much on the knowledge of Scripture, though that is included, but on the ability to communicate it effectively.

Teaching may take the form of preaching, but it can take other forms as well. Not all called to the ministry will preach, but all must be able to teach God’s Word. The rest of this chapter will focus primarily on preaching, which I define simply as “teaching with passion.” Both preaching and teaching convey biblical truth, but preaching includes public proclamation—heralding the truth of Scripture to the gathered congregation. It is a difference of venues or outlets. As a wise brother once told me, preaching should never be anything less than teaching the Bible, but it should always be more than a Bible study.

It is interesting that the ability to teach is the only qualification listed that has to do with a person’s gifting or ability. The would-be pastor doesn’t have to be a skilled negotiator, competent manager, or creative genius. He doesn’t need a charismatic personality, certain IQ, or impressive academic pedigree. There is one gift, and only one gift, a pastor must possess. He must be able to teach.

Though “able to teach” is the only qualification related to gifting, it is a stiff one. Throughout Scripture, we see the gravity of being God’s spokesman. James warns us, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” ( James 3:1). And the author of Hebrews tells us, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account” (Heb. 13:17). We dare not take up this task without a sense of gravity, seriousness, and consequence.

Since the pastor’s primary duty is to preach and teach God’s Word (Eph. 4:11–12), he who would hold the office must be equal to the task. Literally, lives are at stake. “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” Paul says to Timothy. “Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16 ESV). The health of the church rises or falls with the pulpit because it’s God’s Word that builds up a church (Eph. 4:11–14). The pastor’s task is a weighty, consequential one.

WHY PREACHING?

Preaching is God’s divinely ordained means of communicating His Word, nourishing His church, and redeeming a people for Himself. Other ministerial activities may complement preaching, but no ministerial activity should displace it. Preaching is a theme that runs through the whole Bible, consistently described and prescribed throughout both Testaments. No passage sets forth the charge quite like 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

This charge is situated at the end of Paul’s final letter to his son in the faith, Timothy, and it encapsulates the broader biblical expectation that ministers persist in their duty to faithfully preach and teach the Word. The twelve apostles also defended the primacy of preaching, as demonstrated in Acts 6. When a complaint arose among the Hellenist believers that their widows were being neglected, the twelve gathered all the disciples together and ordered this solution:

It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:2–4 ESV)

The apostles knew their priorities, and preaching the gospel was at the top of the list. Charles Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers,” held the same convictions: I do not look for any other means of converting men beyond the simple preaching of the gospel and the opening of men’s ears to hear it. The moment the church of God shall despise the pulpit, God will despise her. It has been through the ministry that the Lord has always been pleased to revive and bless his churches.

God only had one Son, and He made Him a preacher. Scripture tells us, “Jesus came preaching,” and then He sent His disciples out to preach (Mark 1:14; Matt. 28:16–20). From the prophets of old to Pentecost, and even to the end of the age, preaching is God’s appointed means. This is why we preach.

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*This article is an excerpt from Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It, by Jason K. Allen. If you are considering the ministry, there are two mistakes you must avoid. The first is taking up a calling that isn’t yours. The second is neglecting one that is.*

Available to purchase online at Amazon.com, Moody Publishers, and in LifeWay Christian Stores. Learn more at jasonkallen.com/calltoministrybook.

C. H. Spurgeon, Autobiography, Volume 1: The Early Years (London: Banner of Truth, 1962), v.

*This article was originally published 10/12/16*

Lord’s Day Meditation: “Thou Whom My Soul Loveth” by C. H. Spurgeon

Lord’s Day Meditation: “Thou Whom My Soul Loveth” by C. H. Spurgeon (Morning and Evening, September 3, Morning)

“Thou whom my soul loveth.” (Song of Solomon 1:7)

It is well to be able, without any “if” or “but,” to say of the Lord Jesus–“Thou whom my soul loveth.” Many can only say of Jesus that they hope they love him; they trust they love him; but only a poor and shallow experience will be content to stay here. No one ought to give any rest to his spirit till he feels quite sure about a matter of such vital importance. We ought not to be satisfied with a superficial hope that Jesus loves us, and with a bare trust that we love him. The old saints did not generally speak with “buts,” and “ifs,” and “hopes,” and “trusts,” but they spoke positively and plainly. “I know whom I have believed,” saith Paul. “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” saith Job. Get positive knowledge of your love of Jesus, and be not satisfied till you can speak of your interest in him as a reality, which you have made sure by having received the witness of the Holy Spirit, and his seal upon your soul by faith.

True love to Christ is in every case the Holy Spirit’s work, and must be wrought in the heart by him. He is the efficient cause of it; but the logical reason why we love Jesus lies in himself. Why do we love Jesus? Because he first loved us. Why do we love Jesus? Because he “gave himself for us.” We have life through his death; we have peace through his blood. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor. Why do we love Jesus? Because of the excellency of his person. We are filled with a sense of his beauty! an admiration of his charms! a consciousness of his infinite perfection! His greatness, goodness, and loveliness, in one resplendent ray, combine to enchant the soul till it is so ravished that it exclaims, “Yea, he is altogether lovely.” Blessed love this–a love which binds the heart with chains more soft than silk, and yet more firm than adamant!

 

Is Your Household in Order?

Whether we like it or not, the pastor is not an autonomous agent, hired by the church without consideration of his family status. If a church is willing to do that, they merely want a church mascot, not someone to fulfill the full calling of pastoral ministry. The New Testament picture of the pastor is much more inclusive and robust.

In 1 Timothy 3:4, Paul insists that a pastor “must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.” He then adds this word of explanation in verse 5, “If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?”

Within evangelical circles, there are differing views on the full meaning and scope of the household qualification. Does this mean that pastors are responsible for the sins of their adult children, who no longer live at home? If the expectation is for every child to be converted, by what age must they follow Christ?

We must take care not to speculate on the passage’s meaning and instead respect the plain sense of it. Its purpose is not to place an expectation on our children, but to place an expectation on our leadership of them. The household should reflect a biblical pattern and be flavored with the presence of Christ.

The wife should be a believer, endorsing and supporting her husband’s ministry. The children themselves should clearly reflect Christian-parental oversight, not given over to rebellion and thus damaging the minister’s witness.

While the pastor cannot microwave conversion or obedience in the hearts of his children, he must faithfully nurture them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. The point is not for the church to search for blemishes in our children. The point is that your family’s orderliness is a reflection of your leadership. One child out of four going wayward probably reflects more on the child than on your ability to disciple and lead. Three children out of four going wayward may reflect more on your leadership.

Admittedly, there is a level of subjectivity to this qualifying point. If you are in ministry, you should be in conversation with your lay leaders to help you interpret this qualification in light of your particular family’s season and the expectations of the church. If you are contemplating ministry, and your family is in such disarray as to be an obvious liability to your ministry, then you most likely should not be pastoring.

Balance and wisdom are essential. We don’t want our ministry pursuit to become a weighty expectation for our family where they are more actors than people, living in a legalistic bubble of religious decorum. The point is that a well-ordered family reflects our ability to lead, disciple, and manage a church. Be honest with yourself: are you taking proper care of your household? (And if you aren’t married, are you taking care of yourself ?)

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY

I want to digress here, briefly, from the qualification for ministry to an expectation of ministry: your family’s involvement in the church. A few years ago, while interviewing a potential staff member for a church ministry position, I was struck anew by the sensitivity of the matter. The interview was going smoothly until a committee member inquired about the role the candidate’s wife would play in his ministry. The young man became defensive, insisting the church was hiring him, not his wife. That brief exchange nearly torpedoed his candidacy, and it left me puzzled.

In the previous months, I had gotten to know the couple personally. He was a great guy, and his wife seemed to fully support him. In fact, in many ways I viewed them as a model couple, well-balancing ministry and family. That is why I was surprised by the young man’s response.

After further conversation, I discovered that it wasn’t that the couple was reticent to give themselves to the church—both were eager to serve—but that the man had been coached by others in ministry to protect his wife. It was an appropriate concern inappropriately expressed.

That scenario was indicative of a long-standing question for pastors and churches alike —how do we rightly balance ministry and family expectations? This tension is felt by all who serve the church. It resides just under the surface in many congregations. Sadly, many men leave the ministry due to erring one way or the other in what is often a delicate balance.

In the mid-twentieth century—during the heyday of programmatic and event—driven ministry churches prioritized pastoral presence. In many churches, the pastor was expected to be virtually omnipresent. The dutiful parson was always roaming hospitals, making house calls, and presiding over every church function. In addition to limiting his time for sermon preparation, it often compromised his ability to lead his family. In its most excessive forms, congregations expected their pastors to lead ever-growing ministries, even at the expense of their families.

I know of one pastor who said, “A man has to choose. He can have either a great family or a great ministry. He cannot have both.” Other more budget-minded churches expected a “buy one, get one free” scenario. If you hire a man to pastor, then surely his wife will play the piano, coordinate the nursery, or direct the children’s ministry for free, right? The pendulum clearly needed to swing the other way, and thankfully in most contexts it has. Yet at times I fear the pendulum has swung back too far.

We must protect our families, but we need not sequester them. Balance is hard to find, but it must be sought. Many of my fondest family memories have been in the context of ministry, and many of my fondest ministry memories have occurred with my family present. Often I’ve made hospital visits, home visits, or shared the gospel with a child or two by my side. Over the years, my kids have heard me preach hundreds of sermons, sat through scores of seminary chapel services, and participated in dozens of church outreach projects. We’ve sought to make such outings enjoyable so that they made the body of Christ more attractive to our kids, not less.

If we really believe in the glory of the church, and of the splendor of God’s call to ministry, then it is not something from which we shield our families. We should expose them to it. I have learned that, oftentimes, choosing between family and ministry is a false choice. Why not just bring the family along?

That said, there are of course times when you ought to especially guard your family’s time. The wise man is always observing, always learning more about his wife and children. Different life stages, particular ministry contexts, and the personality of the minister’s wife all influence their participation.

If your season of life is particularly challenging, just be up-front and state plainly your needs to the church. Most likely they will understand. Over the years, my wife has been a wonder woman, resolutely supportive of my ministry. Yet, there have been seasons —like when our five kids were ages five and under—that required unique energy and attention at home. That required me, and my places of service, to understand.

One last comment: don’t be discouraged if the first time you raised the subject of your ministry calling with your wife, she had misgivings. The Bible calls us to lead and love our wives in an understanding way. Fear of the unknown might prompt initial reluctance. Pray for her and with her, share your heart, and include her as you seek wise counsel. The good news is, if God is calling you, He will call her, too.

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*This article is an excerpt from Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It, by Jason K. Allen. If you are considering the ministry, there are two mistakes you must avoid. The first is taking up a calling that isn’t yours. The second is neglecting one that is.*

Available to purchase online at Amazon.com, Moody Publishers, and in LifeWay Christian Stores. Learn more at jasonkallen.com/calltoministrybook.

*This article was originally published on 10/5/16*

Lord’s Day Meditation: “Except Ye See Signs and Wonders” by C. H. Spurgeon

Lord’s Day Meditation: “Except Ye See Signs and Wonders” by C. H. Spurgeon (Morning and Evening, September 2, Evening)

“Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” (John 4:48)

A craving after marvels was a symptom of the sickly state of men’s minds in our Lord’s day; they refused solid nourishment, and pined after mere wonder. The gospel which they so greatly needed they would not have; the miracles which Jesus did not always choose to give they eagerly demanded. Many nowadays must see signs and wonders, or they will not believe. Some have said in their heart, “I must feel deep horror of soul, or I never will believe in Jesus.” But what if you never should feel it, as probably you never may? Will you go to hell out of spite against God, because he will not treat you like another? One has said to himself, “If I had a dream, or if I could feel a sudden shock of I know not what, then I would believe.” Thus you undeserving mortals dream that my Lord is to be dictated to by you! You are beggars at his gate, asking for mercy, and you must needs draw up rules and regulations as to how he shall give that mercy. Think you that he will submit to this? My Master is of a generous spirit, but he has a right royal heart, he spurns all dictation, and maintains his sovereignty of action. Why, dear reader, if such be your case, do you crave for signs and wonders? Is not the gospel its own sign and wonder? Is not this a miracle of miracles, that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish”? Surely that precious word, “Whosoever will, let him come and take the water of life freely” and that solemn promise, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out,” are better than signs and wonders! A truthful Saviour ought to be believed. He is truth itself. Why will you ask proof of the veracity of One who cannot lie? The devils themselves declared him to be the Son of God; will you mistrust him?

Does Your Character Meet God’s Expectations?

As a seminary president, I receive lots of mail. Publications from every sector of life flood my office daily, and I enjoy perusing many of them, especially those related to theological education. I am often amused and sometimes even frightened by much of what I read, as these publications demonstrate that much of what passes for theological education is shockingly unbiblical.

A couple of years ago, one such magazine caught my attention. It was the institutional magazine for one of America’s more progressive seminaries. Institutional magazines like this are typically little more than puff pieces meant to celebrate the institution’s achievements and update the school’s constituency on campus happenings and positive developments.

Against this backdrop, the magazine’s featured story stopped me in my tracks. The article, “Extending the Gift of Welcome to All,” highlighted a student’s homosexual lifestyle and ministry pursuit. The student was an alternative-lifestyle advocate who engaged regularly in homosexual activity.

My interest intensified as I read of the student’s perceived call to ministry and ensuing pursuit of theological education. He reflected on his interaction with the seminary administration and community, noting, “I didn’t go there [to the seminary] looking for them to say, ‘You’re gay and I affirm you.’ I wanted to go there and hear, ‘You’re in ministry, and I affirm that,’ and I felt that from day one.”1

Embedded within that statement is ruinous logic. At first glance, one might find the dichotomy between one’s lifestyle and call to ministry acceptable even appealing—especially in the modern milieu of subjective, autonomous spirituality. However, a closer look at the New Testament reminds us that the Bible does not afford us this option. To be called to ministry, one must possess a lifestyle that passes scriptural muster. God’s Holy Spirit, who calls, does not contradict God’s Holy Word, which confirms.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MINISTRY

First Timothy 3:1–7 (and, similarly, Titus 1:6–9) make clear that God’s standard for ministry is high. The threshold is high because the office is high. The office is high because we serve a high God who zealously guards the glory of His name and church. If you do not meet God’s standard for the ministry, you can be sure He isn’t calling you to it.

The passage offers a clear and non-negotiable list of character qualifications for gospel ministry. The qualifications are prescriptive, not descriptive—that is, they didn’t only apply in Timothy’s day (descriptive); they apply today, too (prescriptive). To be sure, in ministry, it might be helpful to be winsome and eloquent. It seldom hurts to possess a magnetic personality. Yet these external traits mean nothing if you don’t meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3. Furthermore, the qualifications do not represent a one-time threshold to cross. Rather, they mark a lifestyle to be maintained, character to be cultivated, and ongoing accountability to God’s Word and God’s people. One’s call to ministry is inextricably linked to one’s godly character. The two cannot—and must not—be decoupled.

Over the next three chapters, we’ll consider each qualification with the care and intentionality the ministry deserves. Before us is not a pileup of words, it is God’s divine standard for ministry service.

“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:1–7

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1. Taken from the article “Extending the Gift of Welcome to All” in the fall 2012 edition of Mosaic, the institutional publication of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

*This article is an excerpt from Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It, by Jason K. Allen. If you are considering the ministry, there are two mistakes you must avoid. The first is taking up a calling that isn’t yours. The second is neglecting one that is.*

Available to purchase online at Amazon.com, Moody Publishers, and in LifeWay Christian Stores. Learn more at jasonkallen.com/calltoministrybook.

*This article was originally posted on 9/28/16*

 

Lord’s Day Meditation: “But Simon’s Wife’s Mother Lay Sick” by C. H. Spurgeon

Lord’s Day Meditation: “But Simon’s Wife’s Mother Lay Sick” by C. H. Spurgeon (Morning and Evening, September 2, Morning)

“But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.” (Mark 1:30)

Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the Apostolic Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full exercise of ministry, nay, that since they furnish an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord’s gracious work upon one’s own flesh and blood, they may even instruct the teacher better than any other earthly discipline. Papists and other sectaries may decry marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together. Peter’s house was probably a poor fisherman’s hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought a miracle in it. Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek the company of King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus is looking round your room now, and is waiting to be gracious to you. Into Simon’s house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had prostrated his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him of the sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient’s bed. Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician, go to him at once and tell him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him. Observe, that at once the Saviour restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not make sure that the Lord will at once remove all disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world; and where this avails not, we must meekly bow to his will by whom life and death are determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs, let us pour them into his patient ear.

 

Do You Desire the Ministry?

Martyn Lloyd-Jones was one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century. He pastored the Westminster Chapel in the heart of London for nearly three decades, and by the end of his ministry, he was one of the most influential ministers on earth. But before Lloyd-Jones was a great preacher, he was an accomplished physician. After earning his medical degree, he came under the tutelage of Lord Horder, caregiver to His Majesty, King George V, and enjoyed one of the most promising medical careers in all of England.

In considering God’s call to ministry, Lloyd-Jones wrestled with his “physician’s dilemma”—giving up medicine to pursue preaching. Ultimately, it was a war of desire, and his desire for ministry won out: “We spend most of our time rendering people fit to go back to their sin! I want to heal souls. If a man has a diseased body and his soul is all right, he is all right to the end; but a man with a healthy body and a distressed soul is all right for sixty years or so and then he has to face eternity in Hell.”1

Lloyd-Jones well understood how God channeled the minister’s desires toward confirmation of calling. He reflected:

I would say that the only man who is called to preach is the man who cannot doDo You Desire the Ministry? anything else, in the sense that he is not satisfied with anything else. This call to preach is so put upon him, and such pressure comes to bear upon him that he says, “I can do nothing else, I must preach.”2

If ever a young man resonated with Lloyd-Jones’ description it was me, circa 1997. I felt an unprovoked, unintended desire for ministry, and I did not know what to do with it. That desire—and whether or not it was even appropriate—dominated my life. I did not know where to turn or what to do, but, thankfully, God drew me to the Pastoral Epistles. First Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are often called the Pastoral Epistles because they reflect most directly on pastoral service. In them, Paul sets forth how the church is to minister and who should lead that ministry. When I was discerning my call, I read through these letters daily to better grasp what a life of ministry entails, how one is to serve the church, and, especially, to clarify God’s will for my life. They were like road signs and streetlights, both pointing and illuminating the way forward.

The most helpful passage in the letters for anyone sensing God’s call to the ministry is 1 Timothy 3:1–7, as it states plainly the qualifications for the ministry. From verse one I derive our first question: Do you desire the ministry?

APPROACHING THE PASTORATE

In 3:1 Paul writes, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” This singular verse is pregnant with meaning and is key to discerning your call to ministry. Let’s unpack it piece by piece.

It is a trustworthy statement. On five occasions in the Pastoral Epistles Paul says, “It is a trustworthy statement.” Each time, he does it to draw particular attention to a word or phrase of special importance. Here, he uses it to introduce the qualifications for ministry, reminding us that they are essential for both the church and the would-be minister. In other words, we should sit up and pay careful attention to what follows!

Aspires. This is an uncommon New Testament word. It means “to reach out after” or “grasp for.” We can think of this as the practical act of seeking the office of overseer. Common expressions of this in our day are applying for a ministry position, seeking mentorship from a pastor or elder, enrolling in seminary, or entering a ministry training program.

Office of overseer. This is the subject of verses 1–7, and it refers to both a title and task, or form and function. By form and function, I mean the correspondence between what someone is called and what they do. Those who are pastors in title (form) must do what pastors, biblically defined, do (function). Conversely, if a person is not qualified to exercise authority in the church (function), you don’t get around it by downgrading their title to “minister” or “director” (form). They are still positioned to exercise authority in the church, thus functioning as a pastor or elder. The term overseer refers to one who exercises spiritual leadership over a congregation. As we will see, this office also carries with it pastoral care responsibilities, a duty to preach or teach Scripture, and a requirement to meet certain character qualifications. Scripture also says that those who labor well in it are worth double honor—that is, full-time elders (pastors) should be supported financially by their church (1 Tim. 5:17).

Depending on your Bible translation, overseer may also be translated “bishop.” In the New Testament, overseer, bishop, elder, and pastor are used interchangeably. For example, here in 1 Timothy 3:1 the word overseer is the Greek word episkopos, which is sometimes translated “bishop,” and from which the Episcopal Church gets its name. It is synonymous with the Greek word presbyteros, meaning “elder,” and from which the Presbyterian Church gets its name. We see these terms, and the word pastor (Greek poimen), used interchangeably in places like Acts 20:17–38, 1 Peter 5:1–2, and Titus 1:5–7. The same scenario occurs in 1 Timothy 5:17 when Paul calls the overseers “elders.” Therefore, in this book, we will use pastor, elder, bishop, and overseer interchangeably, and in so doing we will anchor their qualifications and functions to 1 Timothy 3:1–7.

Fine. The work of ministry is a fine work. Fine means “noble,” “honorable,” or “excellent.” This means that yearning for ministry is a good thing. Be encouraged, if you find yourself aspiring to the ministry, that the work is not only worthwhile but exceedingly glorious, and it is worthy of your full effort and pursuit.

Desire. This word refers to the inward compulsion, or passion, for ministry. It is what’s taking place in your inner person that leads you to “aspire,” or pursue practically, ministerial service. These two words—aspire and desire—must go together. If you desire the ministry, you will aspire to it.

To do. With this phrase, Paul puts the minister’s task on an active, energetic footing. Again, the wording is subtle but important. The office of the pastor is not merely a position to be occupied; it is a work to be done. For a number of years, I had the privilege of pastoring near Fort Knox, Kentucky. Nearly half of my church was military, and I enjoyed spending many days on base. One day while eating lunch with a group of soldiers, I noticed that officers wore their ranks on their shoulders, whereas the enlisted soldiers’ chevrons were positioned on their arms. When I asked about it, I learned that the placement of an officer’s rank on his shoulder signified the burden of leadership he carried. Conversely, the enlisted soldier’s rank on the arms indicates the brawny nature of his work, serving his country with strength and arms.

We should think of the pastoral office similarly, except that a pastor wears his ranks on both his shoulders and his arms. There is no such thing as a pastor who knows only the burden of leadership or only the sweat of service. He who desires the ministry must aspire to both, since the ministry necessarily includes both. A pastor serves the people of God and carries out his responsibilities as assigned by Scripture and God’s people.

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1. Iain Murray, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years, 1899–1939 (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1982), 80

2. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972), 105.

*This article is an excerpt from Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It, by Jason K. Allen. If you are considering the ministry, there are two mistakes you must avoid. The first is taking up a calling that isn’t yours. The second is neglecting one that is.*

Available to purchase online at Amazon.com, Moody Publishers, and in LifeWay Christian Stores. Learn more at jasonkallen.com/calltoministrybook.

*This article was originally published on 9/21/16*

Lord’s Day Meditation: “Trust in Him at all Times” by C. H. Spurgeon

Lord’s Day Meditation: “Trust in Him at all Times” by C. H. Spurgeon (Morning and Evening, September 1, Evening)

“Trust in him at all times.” (Psalm 62:8)

Faith is as much the rule of temporal as of spiritual life; we ought to have faith in God for our earthly affairs as well as for our heavenly business. It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily need that we shall live above the world. We are not to be idle, that would show we did not trust in God, who worketh hitherto, but in the devil, who is the father of idleness. We are not to be imprudent or rash; that were to trust chance, and not the living God, who is a God of economy and order. Acting in all prudence and uprightness, we are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times.

Let me commend to you a life of trust in God in temporal things. Trusting in God, you will not be compelled to mourn because you have used sinful means to grow rich. Serve God with integrity, and if you achieve no success, at least no sin will lie upon your conscience. Trusting God, you will not be guilty of self-contradiction. He who trusts in craft, sails this way today, and that way the next, like a vessel tossed about by the fickle wind; but he that trusteth in the Lord is like a vessel propelled by steam, she cuts through the waves, defies the wind, and makes one bright silvery straightforward track to her destined haven. Be you a man with living principles within; never bow to the varying customs of worldly wisdom. Walk in your path of integrity with steadfast steps, and show that you are invincibly strong in the strength which confidence in God alone can confer. Thus you will be delivered from anxious care, you will not be troubled with evil tidings, your heart will be fixed, trusting in the Lord. How pleasant to float along the stream of providence! There is no more blessed way of living than a life of dependence upon a covenant-keeping God. We have no care, for he careth for us; we have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord.

 

Don’t Waste Your Vacation: Nine Ways to Optimize Time Away

Vacation, as a planned and protracted leisurely excursion, is a relatively modern invention. Middle-class furloughs to the beach, weeks at theme parks, and recurring holiday getaways all would be unfamiliar to the premodern family.

Yet, seasons of rest and recreation are a pattern as old as the Bible itself, and if we are going to vacation, we might as well optimize it. To this end, over the years I have intentionally incorporated a few objectives. Admittedly, they have been more intuitive than scripted, but I deliberately vacation—especially during the summer—with these nine intentions in mind. Perhaps they will help you as well.

1 . Vacation without guilt. Celebrate the biblical rhythm of work and rest, of vocation and recreation. They complement and facilitate one another. Therefore, we should exert ourselves in our work and enjoy our rest and recreation. This dynamic is embedded within the Sabbath principle and the institution of the Lord’s Day. Both are ordained by God, and both can honor Him and help you.

2 . Truly unplug. Vacation should be more than working from a different geographical location. I have fallen into that trap before. It proved detrimental to our family and unhelpful to me and the ministry I served. Now, I delete social media from my iPhone, set up the out-of-office email reply, and intentionally stay aloof from my phone. Be findable in the case of emergency, but be unfindable for most anything else.

3 . Redeem the time. For me, vacation is not synonymous with unintentionality. Rather, it is the opposite. Vacation provides singular opportunities for outings, trips, conversations, projects, reading, making memories, etc. I want to intentionally use the time, leveraging it, and our vacation, in every way.

4 . Evaluate the asset. The maxim “protect the asset” is common in leadership books these days. For me, it has three realms: heart, mind, and body. As to the heart, am I practicing the spiritual disciplines, growing in Christ, and fulfilling my ministry? As to the mind, am I growing intellectually in all of the areas pertaining to my calling and ministry? As to the body, am I caring for myself enough to live, serve and lead most optimally? Set aside some time to “evaluate the asset” on your vacation.

5 . Plan facetime. It is not enough to be near your family or even with your family. It is important to have eye-to-eye, undistracted conversations with spouse and kids. I learned long ago that “love” is spelled T-I-M-E. Schedule time for personal, lengthy, heart-touching conversations.

6 . Assess your goals. I’m a big believer in goal setting and have set goals for virtually every area of my life and ministry—at least those areas which matter most. Flowing from my life verse, “Guard what has been entrusted to you,” goals help me to track stewardship of my life, calling, family, seminary, and other areas. They will help you as well.

7 . Reset boundaries. Busyness often leads to encroachment and reactionary living. You can awaken one day out of kilter with the life rhythm you expect for yourself. For me, reviewing the calendar, pruning unnecessary commitments, and setting myself up for maximum effectiveness is key. While on vacation, my wife and I review/preview our calendars and commitments and ask ourselves, “Is this the best stewardship of our time and resources?”

 8 . Strengthen personal weaknesses. No leader is omni-competent. If a leader is not aware of this simple fact, he is simultaneously arrogant and delusional. A dose of self-awareness is essential. While on vacation, I reflect on my life in every dimension, seek to identify personal weaknesses, and strive to strengthen them. Usually, this leads to reading books, accessing podcasts, seeking wise counsel, setting goals, and taking action steps.

9 . Reorganize your life. Given the fullness of my life and ministry, I find myself accumulating disorganization during the academic semesters. There are just some things that have to be put off until the summer and winter break. For me, it is almost therapeutic to declutter. I find sorting stacks, discarding unneeded items, and catching up on life-maintenance issues rejuvenating. Oddly, I actually look forward to these catchup days. In fact, I do not know what I would do without them.

In conclusion, let me add that vacations should be a time to rejuvenate you for your calling, not escape it. If you find yourself always pining for vacations in order to get away from your job, you most likely do not need a vacation; you need a new vocation.

If you are going to vacation, you might as well get the most out of it. Perhaps these nine ways will serve you as well as the have served me.

*This article was originally posted on 7/7/16*