PASTORAL
MINISTRY: EXPECTATIONS; COMPARISON; CHURCH: PULPIT COMMITTEE

This problem of personal identity not infrequently troubles the faithful minister. The congregation has called him as their pastor and teacher, but the members have a hard time forgetting the saintly predecessor who died or who was called to another ministry. They find it hard to make room for the new minister—mainly because he is not enough like the former one. His voice is different. So are his gestures. His hair is not gray. His wife is not as friendly.

Be careful! God blesses people for their faith and obedience, not because they are old or young, bald or gray, pleasant voiced or raspy. God expects each one of us to let Him use us in helping people to a walk of spiritual blessing and victory. Not necessarily must we have had a long record as heroes in the faith to qualify.

1 Corinthians 4:2–3; 1 Corinthians 16:10–11; 1 Timothy 4:12

Jesus, Author of our Faith, 71.