We measure things differently than God does. We look for the impressive, for the gifted, for the extraordinary. God seems to show up in ordinary, forgotten places, and to use the people that everyone else passes over. We like the spectacular. And yet God does some of his best work behind the scenes through the faithful, plodding ministry of men and women who’ve learned to say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty” (Luke 17:10).

Few search committees look for one. Few young men aspire to become one. But it’s what most churches need. I’m grateful for the average pastor.

You know the one. He never won a preaching award in seminary. He will never sound like Matt Chandler or John Piper. He knows he could be better at almost every part of pastoring. He often feels inadequate when he compares himself to those who are more gifted, and those who have bigger ministries. Books weary him sometimes, not because he resists learning, but because he realizes how much he has to learn.

But he settled in a long time ago. He’s not looking for the next move in his pastoral career. He stands up on Sunday and preaches biblical messages — nothing fancy, mind you, but good, biblical messages.

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