The Commitment of the Pastor

The second aspect of the life and work of a pastor as exemplified by Paul in Acts 20.17-38 is the commitment of a pastor.  In verse 24 Paul writes, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (NIV)

Paul was willing to make any sacrifice necessary for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul is journeying towards Jerusalem to carry a love offering from the Gentile churches for the troubled church in Jerusalem.  He is repeatedly warned that his freedom and his life will be in danger in Jerusalem.

Paul’s commitment to the work of Christ is so strong that the risks involved do not deter him.  He will do what needs to be done in order to be obedient to God regardless of the personal risk.  This is a commitment demonstrated by Paul repeatedly as he faced persecution.

This commitment included other sacrifices.  In verses 33-35, Paul describes how he labored to provide financial support for himself and for his team of assistants in order to avoid being a burdened to the new Christian churches he founded.

A biblical pastor must be totally committed to the work of Christ.  A commitment that is willing to accept any sacrifice necessary for the work.  Around the world today, many of our Christian brothers and sisters experience persecution of varying degrees on a regular basis.  This is not widely reported in the mass media.  For those of us who are spared this, we should pray regularly for those suffering.  We should also learn from the example of their faith.

The church in America is in need of pastors who are willing to make any sacrifice, take any risk necessary for the sake of the Gospel.  We must not be concerned about cost in popularity or what people say about us.  When we take a stand for Christ and the teachings of God’s word, those who are still in spiritual darkness will be offended and will criticize.

The desire to be popular or to be successful has led some to neglect the preaching of the cross or taking stands on moral issues.  On a local scale, pastors struggle with the tension between saying what needs to be said and job security.  After all, they do have families to provide for.

A pastor must understand that the church might write the paycheck but they do not work for the church, they work for God.  Churches must also realize this.  This is not to say that pastors are always right (they are human so they cannot be).  This is not to say that they should be autocratic dictators over their churches (only Christ can be the Lord of the church).  Rather, we must all remember that we are citizens of the Kingdom of God and must obey the King, no matter the personal or professional cost.

Paul was willing to risk it all, to make whatever sacrifices called for, to fulfill the calling of the Lord.  How many of us have the same level of commitment?  We need pastors who have the same level of commitment and church members who are willing to support them in that commitment—come what may