The gospel frees pastors from having to be a perfect shepherd. We do not need to pretend to be something we’re not. Christ knows all our flaws, and throughout the seasons of ministry, our local church will see that we are flawed as well. Trying to project some transcendent persona will not help the sheep we’re called to love and shepherd. We need God’s grace, and they need to know that.

Preachers need the same gospel they preach to others. The Savior they hold forth to the congregation is the same Savior they need for their own souls. Let’s reflect on why the gospel is good news for pastors. There is strength to be found, rest to be enjoyed, and encouragement to be received, all in Christ.

Identity

First, the gospel frees pastors from finding their identity in ministry. When serving a local church is your vocation—or one of your vocations—there is a temptation to define your significance by what you’re doing, how you’re leading. Successes may thrill you, yet unmet expectations may devastate you. In fact, it may be hard to imagine who you would be apart from pastoral ministry. The “good news” is relevant, then, to your heart.

The gospel reminds you that you are in Christ. That is the most important thing about you. Who you are is found in him. You are seated with him in heavenly places even now (Col. 3:1). Ministry successes or failures do not define you at the truest and deepest level. You might belong to the pastorate for a season of life, but more importantly, you belong to Christ forever.

Fear of Man

Second, the gospel frees pastors from the fear of man. Because pastoral ministry deals with people, we know the temptation of avoiding certain things that would provoke those under our care. There might be sermon topics we ignore for the sake of keeping a pseudo peace around us. There might be conflicts we neglect dealing with, because we don’t want to endure the awkwardness or tension or escalation of addressing things.

But think of this, pastors: scorn or hatred can rattle us, but we will not be destroyed. On the cross, Christ has satisfied the righteous condemnation of God in our place. The worst that could happen to us has already happened to Christ. The gospel helps us to say, “What can man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6). Though we might be misunderstood and maligned by others, nothing present nor future shall separate us from God’s love for us in Christ (Rom. 8:38–39). We have peace with God through the cross (Rom. 5:1). The unchanging presence of this peace can embolden the pastor to be courageous and not fearful.

Human Approval

Third, the gospel frees pastors from craving human approval. This truth is organically connected to the previous one. We do not need to calculate our ministry actions to whatever settings will garner the most human praise or approval. Glory does not belong to our names (Ps. 115:1). Human approval is so fickle, anyway. The gospel directs our eyes to eternal matters and not to earthly whims that change as the wind blows.

Read More