A Pastor’s Virtue: Presence

Ephesians 4:11-12

11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting (equipping) of the saints, for (in order to do) the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The secret key to Christ’s training of the twelve according to Cousins & Bugbee in Leadershift is that:

  • Jesus used acts of service to teach & train his disciples as opposed to training his disciples to do acts of service.
  • Jesus was often seen committing acts of service even to his own disciples.

There was a great article in Leadership Mag.   by a Marine Chaplain in Iraq. He was quite frustrated with what seemed to be a lackluster response to his ministry. On a leave in Baghdad his cohorts confirmed the same frustration . . . am I really making a difference in these guys’ lives?

The Chaplain began catching the marines privately to ask them what their take was on his ministry. He was surprised by the answers which varied greatly, but all carried the same theme. One marine commented that they felt safer when the Chap was on the convoy. Another mentioned that the gunnery sergeant was nicer when the Chap was there . . . and other such comments revealed the true nature of the Chaplain’s ministry to these men.

The Chaplain carried with him the presence of God. He represented that Providence and care to these hard core men. He realized that it wasn’t his liturgy or “skills” that really impacted these men . . . it was simply his presence. With all our skill sets we must remember that the greatest thing we have to offer is presence. Just the fact of you being there, just the fact that you dropped by, made a phone call, sent a letter . . . the man of God offers tremendous security to the sheep.

Presence.

Written by Pastor Rob Morse

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