2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.

This is yet another concise description of pastoral ministry. They are scattered through Paul’s letters, either talking about what he was doing, or here, as specific instructions. Here it is particularly poignant because he is aware that his martyrdom is fast approaching. Japanese has a nuance difficulty with the usual word for “preaching,” because it carries overtones of scolding, as in the country music song of many years ago, Daddy, Don’t Preach. To avoid that nuance, translators often use “proclaim,” which is what this verse says. The next line comes out as, “Do it thoroughly (or firmly), whether times are good or bad.” There is always room for growth in that area, because the Bible is so deep that most of us barely scratch the surface. Then comes the fun part of pastoral ministry – NOT. I personally feel that someone who gets a kick out of “correcting and rebuking” has got some real problems! Where the NIV says to do it with “great patience,” the Japanese says, “expend all gentleness,” and then it says to do these things “never ceasing to teach.” Whew! I think it’s pretty obvious that pastoral ministry is not for the faint-hearted! In fact, doing it right is impossible without the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. That’s why anyone who feels led in that direction needs to work first on their inner life, on their fellowship with God by His Spirit, before they go standing in pulpits. Lots of people fall down in this area. Any part of what is sometimes called “The 5-fold Minis­try,” as listed in Ephesians 4:11, is a high and noble calling, but if it is attempted in human strength and pride, it leads to disaster.

As the son, grandson, and great grandson of pastors, teachers, and missionaries, I don’t think I ever felt it was an unusual calling, but I also don’t think I ever felt any pressure from my family to go that way. At the grave of Robert Livingston, when I was not yet 11, I told my parents, “I’m going to be a missionary.” However, that soon gave way to a desire to be an archaeologist, and after that a chemical engineer, and so on. It was quite a struggle to be willing to go to seminary. After that, I protested a good bit before accepting a pastorate in rural Virginia, and then when the Lord made a way for us to come to Omura, my own intention was to be a teacher but not a local church pastor. I had no problems with the idea of proclaiming the Word and teaching, but I didn’t want to “expend all gentleness to correct and rebuke and encourage!” God, as usual, had a better idea, and here I am over 31 years later, and He has been faithful. He has done more work in me than I’ve done in the church!

Father, thank You for Your incredible patience with me, when I have so often been less than consistent and submitted toward You. Thank You for the ministers You have raised up through me. Sometimes I think they choose that road because they think “I can do a better job than he does!” I ask Your blessing and anointing on each one, both those who have gone out in ministry and those who are preparing even now. May we all be faithful, not in our own strength but in Yours, so that the Body of Christ may be built up and Your Name be hallowed. Thank You. Praise God!