1 Thessalonians 2 is a recap of Paul's ministry at the church. He arrived there after leaving Philippi (1 Thess 2:1-2). Even though he had been experiencing persecution in Philippi because of his preaching the gospel...he came to Thessalonica and continued to preach. He did this...because he sought to please God and not men (1 Thess 2:4-5).
I suppose we could stop there and ask, "In our lives do we seek the approval of men...or of God?" Are we making decisions and acting in a manner that we KNOW is pleasing to God...or are we making decision based on how we see and want to be seen by others? Certainly...God did not call us to be obnoxious...but He did call us to place Him and His approval over that of the people we interact with daily.
Some would have accused Paul of not seeking to please God...but to have had self-serving motives. (Finding the worst in people is easier than seeing the best). Paul reminded the church that he did not come asking for money...or trying to impress people with his oratory skills (1 Thess 2:5-6). He came in humility and even worked in his trade (tentmaking) to support himself while he preached there (1 Thess 2:9-10). Also, he did not come preaching only...but he sought to share his life with the people.
Now this is hard. I relate to this because the "old paradigm" of being a pastor was to always be a bit separated from the people in the church. To get too close...was to lose one's moral authority...or to let people see the real pastor (thus giving them ammo to kill you with when they had specific example of imperfection.) Living separate also gave some defenses so that we would not be as easily hurt when it came time to leave. Jodi and I did this (for the most part) at our first church. Honestly...the ministry was not very much fun. At our next assignment...we intentionally invested in the lives of people. We interconnected our lives with them in nearly every way. We built some great friendships. Yes...it hurt when people left or transferred because we were so close; but, the alternative is far worse. We could have lived separated...but we would also have missed out on the joy of doing LIFE together. Now, in the church we serve...we try to connect intimately. There are many more people so it is difficult. We have to just connect with those it seems natural. It means that some will think we show favoritism. It is not so. We just can't "go deep" with everyone...and to be shallow with everyone means we get close to no one. Ugh.
Anyway, back to the post. Paul was consistent in his ministry...making the church into fully devoted disciples...so that they would walk in a manner worthy of their calling (1 Thess 2:12). This is to be the aim and goal of everyone in ministry. If it is not your goal...your goal needs to change. It is in fact God's goal. 1 Thess 2:13-16 is a statement now that connects the dots. In the same way Paul served...this church served. They endured persecution at the hands of those who stood against them (which seems a bit "normal" for the churches that Paul writes to.) Perhaps it is "abnormal" to have those outside of Christ not feel a bit "weird" around Christ-followers. If we "blend in" too closely...maybe we have lost our distinction as well as our effectiveness.
1 Thess 2:17-20 is a transitional statement where Paul notes that they had left the church and intended to return personally...but were prevented by Satan (hence the letter they were reading). However, he loves this church and is proud of them. When he looks for marks of success in his ministry...he sees them. They are a source of pride. That "pridefulness" is not diminished because they have gone through tough times. To the contrary...their conduct in the tough times bears witness to the character in their hearts.
Proverbs 10:4 is the takeaway today. God does not always (or even as a normal course of action) provide miraculously for our needs. He, many times...provides through our own labors. This is no less the provision of God...He gives us the ability and opportunity to work. To those who are negligent...there is a limit to the provision. God does not love them less...they neglect the opportunity/ability that God gives. Those who are diligent...have their needs met. (Now: before you throw stones...are there exceptions? Yes. But the statement is a generally true maxim of life.)
Grace,
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3 comments:
Good post today Pastor. I have a similiar story about my first management position. When I was first in management I was told not to intermingle with my employees. I did as I was told but like your first church I did not have much fun. My next experience I changed my style and was much more productive. I think in order for people to open up to you, you have to be real and I must say you and Jodi do a fabulous job in my opinion:)... And as I can't speak for everyone, I understand you can't be close with everyone...
I have to admit, I am not constantly purposely trying to please God. My intentions are to please God but I do not make all of my decisions with God in mind. Maybe if I did, things would go a little more smoothly. I will work on this.
Verse 13 stuck out to me, the idea that Paul and his church were continually thanking God. Have you ever tried that...how exhausting but I beleive they thanked and thanked and thanked God, that is crazy amazing stuff. I am going to work on this too.
What an awesome Chapter!!! I have so much room to grow and that is encouraging because God is still working on me. Praise God!!!:)
A recurrent problem among leadership and even for the peons. One has only so much time and so much energy, it needs to be invested in many places and one must decide to make commitments only shallow or deep. Add in responsibility for others and it becomes even worse.
However, this is not only a problem for "management", it is also a problem for "employees". A balance can be reached as seems to have happened in Acts 6 with the appointing of the first deacons. The apostles were freed to preach and teach, the deacons were available to "run" the local church under the observation of the apostles and the disciples came to the deacons when they had trouble. Not (IMO) that they couldn't see the apostles if they needed to, but the disciples understood and had godly proxies in the deacons. I could make a case that Jesus used a similar system with the apostles during His ministry for their training. Notice that the original deacons seem to have ended up as evangelists after they served as deacons.
It is a more decentralized system than I think is being taught these days, but it should be an objective I think. Small group leaders and their senior members should be able to cope with most issues. If not they escalate to the deacons and if that doesn't work, one of the pastors can get involved. The ideal (IMO) should be that the head pastor gets to preach and teach while "knowing nothing" about the "machinery" except that it is running well.
Verses 12-13 make the requirement obvious, we must all strive to walk worthy of God, in thanksgiving and following the Word. Then that unity in Him can come closer and He can use us as He wills.
Kamatu,
I had to wait on this post for a while. Wanted to read it through a couple of times. I don't agree with the substance of what you say...though the principle is good.
Ministry is the work of the Body of Christ. We (all of us) are to serve and minister. Christianity (and local church life as an expression of it) are not spectator sports where the work is hired out.
However, deacons are not those charged with "running" the church. The ministry of oversight is that of the Bishop (overseer)/elder/ pastor. The deacons were given a specific task of caring for widows in Acts 6. They are men who exemplify "service" in their lives and are charged with the authority to oversee certain areas of service in the church.
No one in a church is a "peon"..or above the "machinery" of the church. I pick up trash off the property nearly every week. I vacuum and take out the garbage...and even clean toilets when needed. I visit sick and shut-ins when necessary. This is part of being a Christ-follower...not a pastor.
The pastor should NEVER be above the machinery... He is part of it.
The point I was making in the post was that the pastor "must" be relational and closely involved in the machinery (with people) sharing in everyday life. Not living in an ivory tower only to come down to preach. At the same time...it should be understood that he can only be in so many places at a time...and has a family too. Still, he needs to engage in the relationships that "make sense" for him and live so as to please God and not men.
Thanks for the post.
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