The Following Article Supplied
By: Nathan Wood
NOTE:
A word of caution: I reccommend
that you carefully consider the material presented below, using discernment
wherever opinion or undocumented claims may occur. I do not condone or
agree with any brother in Christ who stands in judgement of or corrects
the Holy Bible. Any criticisms, corrections, or suggested
improvements of the KJV (AV 1611) are the
author's. Please disregard any and all 'changes', 'corrections', 'criticisms',
and so-called 'improvements'.
A PLEA FOR PASTORAL MINISTRY
By R. F. BAYLES
This paper is not just an ordinary article, it is an urgent appeal
for the supplying of pastoral ministry in the assemblies. Read it carefully
and then prayerfully confer with others in your assembly as to what you
can do about it. Some brother who has the gift may be encouraged to do
the work. [ED.]
The writer has long been deeply exercised as to the dearth of a pastoral
ministry among the people of God gathered to the one only Name--our Lord
Jesus Christ. We have not been alone in our concern--saints in many assemblies
have mourned to us the sorrowful losses due to the lack of a pastoral care.
Some time ago, a brother, who shared our thoughts, suggested that we might
give some expression to them, to be published, D.V., in "Help and Food".
This subject requires much more space than can here be given to, it. The
thoughts we have expressed may be suggestive only; but they are based upon
actual experience and close observation over many years in the service
of our blessed Lord. They come right from our heart, and we trust that
they may serve in some measure to awaken a deeper concern regarding a very
serious lack of suited ministry to the Lord's people.
I. PASTORAL MINISTRY: ITS SOURCE
The gifts to the Church from the risen, ascended Lord, are enumerated and
their purpose given in Ephesians 4:8-16. As a basis for the subject before
us, we quote verses 8 and 11. "Wherefore, He saith, When He ascended up
on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. ... And He
gave some, (to be) apostles and prophets; and some, (to be) evangelists;
and some, (to be) pastors and teachers."
The gifts of Ephesians 4 are men, not spiritual qualities given to men,
as are the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12. They are the servants
of Christ, called by His grace, and given to the Church. That they are
given the spiritual qualities suited to their several office work, is clear
from other scriptures. These gifts (men) are given by the Lord that through
their ministry a company on earth, known as His Body, may be called out
and brought to perfection, i.e., maturity and stability (vers. 12 and 13).
The apostles and prophets were given to lay a foundation of revealed, authoritative
truth or doctrine, "Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone"
(Eph. 2:20). These offices passed away with the completion of this Foundation--the
New Testament--of which they were the inspired human authors. There are
no apostles or prophets today. Various religious systems lay claim to having
such, but they cannot stand the test of 1 John 4:1. The Ephesian Church
tried such impostors and found them liars (Rev. 2:2). Their character has
not changed. The offices of evangelists, pastors and teachers, remain until
the translation of the Church. The risen, exalted Head of the Church has--since
apostolic days --given no greater gift to His Church than that of "pastor".
That this gift follows that of evangelists in the order of the text (v.
11), must not be taken to mean that it is secondary, or of lesser importance.
It simply indicates that the work of the pastor follows that of the evangelist
in point of time. It stands to the ministry of the evangelist exactly as
the work of the reaper stands to the work of the sower--it follows. By
the work of the reaper, the harvest of grain is conserved. The Divine purpose
in giving pastors to the Church is the conservation of the Gospel harvest.
If such a divinely-ordered arrangement of ministry prevailed among us,
there would be no need for the plea we have felt constrained to make. But,
alas, it does not--at least, in our judgment, it does not. Throughout a
ministry of nearly twenty-five years, among those gathered to the only
Name, we have found a deplorable, almost tragic, lack of a pastoral ministry.
Year after year, the Gospel is clearly and faithfully preached, and many
confess Christ as their personal Saviour; but there is a leakage going
on, and assemblies continue in weakness, numerically and otherwise. The
fruits of the Gospel are not being fully conserved.
II. PASTORAL MINISTRY: WHAT IT IS
The word pastor is from the Greek "poimen"--a shepherd; a caretaker
and feeder of the flock: a guardian against beasts of prey. Pastors, then,
are shepherds over the flocks of the Lord's people--under-shepherds, Christ
Himself being the Chief Shepherd. They are to feed and care for the sheep,
and to guard them against "grievous wolves". "Take heed, therefore, unto
yourselves and unto all the flock,...to feed the Church of God ... for
I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among
you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:28, 29). These Ephesian elders were
thus appointed to be pastors over the flock.
There are some who shrink from the title "pastor," to whom it savors
of clericalism--of a one-man ministry. However, we shall use this title
freely on the warrant of Scripture, while we refuse the officialism which
has grown up around this office in Christendom.
III. PASTORAL MINISTRY: ITS OBJECTS
The work of the pastor, unlike that of the evangelist, is manifold and
varied--as varied as is human nature. He who would do the work of the pastor,
must, of course, look to his Lord for guidance and fitness for it. Still,
it may not be out of place to suggest some of the principal demands for
pastoral ministry found among the Lord's people everywhere.
New Converts
First in importance, we believe, is the ministry to the new converts--to
those who, at least, have professed faith in Christ as Saviour. Oh, how
important it is to follow up every professed conversion with a loving,
withal a searching pastoral care! We say "searching" advisedly, for it
must never be taken for granted that every soul making a profession is
actually born again--has truly passed from death unto life. What joy would
be the evangelist's if it were so! None can believe more firmly than the
writer in the simplicity and power of the Gospel of Christ; and in the
assurance given by the Lord Himself, "Him that cometh unto Me I will in
no wise cast out" (John 6:37). Nevertheless, it remains a sad, a tragic
fact, that there are many foolish virgins, professors without possession;
souls going religiously to hell! A faithful pastoral inquiry --it may be
by the evangelist himself--only too often discloses the fact that one counted
as a convert does not have the root of the matter in him at all. We do
not here enter into the reasons for this fact. We are here concerned only
with the effectual ministry to this condition. We do know that many such
persons have been brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ
through faithful pastoral ministry following their profession.
We would appeal to the evangelists themselves---that noble band of godly,
soul-loving men who go up and down the land preaching God's redeeming grace--as
much as lieth in your power, follow up those who have confessed Christ
under your ministry.
Babes in Christ
And then, how vitally important is pastoral ministry to those truly born
again! Not more helpless, physically, is the newly born infant,
than are these babes in Christ, spiritually. They find themselves
in a new realm of things--properly so but of the character of which they
know nothing (2 Corinthians 5:17). There are manifold temptations, pitfalls,
and snares; a trinity of evil--the world, the flesh, and the devil. Every
moral and spiritual assault is made upon them by this evil trinity. Only
wise, pastoral care given in the power of the Holy Spirit, can guide them
safely through these perils. It is not enough to ground them in sound doctrine--all
important as that is. There are matters touching the innermost life that
can be solved only by loving, personal, and confidential ministry.
We believe with all our soul in the eternal security of the believer--the
truly born again. We believe that a soul is saved at once and completely
through faith in Christ alone. But it must never be assumed that the Babe
in Christ is saved in all the meaning of that word--saved from the
power of sin in the flesh; saved from the allurements of the world; saved
from the wiles of the devil--without faithful pastoral nurture, by whomsoever
ministered. As well assume that the infant of days may be safely left upon
the doorstep without food and careful nursing! Please do not misunderstand
us. A saved, a born-again soul, will never be lost, as regards eternity.
But as to this present life, many a child of God is being lost through
lack of spiritual care; lost to a life of peace, joy, and victory; lost
to a testimony for Christ; lost to the fellowship of the saints. They are
poor spiritual waifs, knowing not in a practical way, the Father and the
Son.
Converted Children
Most especially would we apply the above to child converts. In recent years
Child Evangelism has been much stressed, many brethren devoting their entire
time to children's meetings. For this we are devoutly thankful. But what
an added responsibility falls upon our gatherings! The spiritual care of
these babes in Christ may not, in most cases, be entrusted to their homes.
Many come from godless homes and, sad to say, not all Christian parents
are capable of meeting the needs of new-born souls. Faithful, loving, encouraging
pastoral ministry is a most urgent need in the lives of child converts.
Stumbled Believers
They are found in every assembly of the Lord's people; or, it may be, just
unhappy souls drifting alone along life's pathway; born again, but weak
and sickly souls through lack of spiritual nurture. They are usually sensitive
souls, perhaps unduly so; they suffer from slights and grievances, real
or fancied; they are often stumbled by the inconsistencies of leaders.
They need the healing balm of the Word of God ministered in love and grace.
Let them never be regarded as hopeless; nursed through this state of soul
by pastoral ministry, they may become useful saints.
Absentees
Never should an absentee be neglected. Every absence should be noted and
inquired into. Saints often become cool-hearted and drift away. They should
be lovingly sought out and returned and re-warmed. Oftentimes serious matters
cause these absences. In one assembly three blood sisters were missed,
but months went by without search into the reasons therefor. Finally, it
was learned they were seriously ill and destitute. Loving provision was
then made for them; but oh, no sheep of the flock should ever be so neglected!
It may be said that this is an extreme case; true, but it is not uncommon.
Seasonable pastoral ministry can avert much suffering.
The Aged
There are many dear aged saints who have served their day and generation
faithfully, who now spend the passing days and years in loneliness, waiting
for their homegoing. The children of their younger days have grown and
gone their ways, leaving parents to sit alone with their thoughts and memories,
often, only sorrowful ones. Unless in distress or need, these lonely ones
are seldom thought of. What a precious and needed ministry is that of giving
comfort and spiritual fellowship to them! Yes, they have the Lord; but
they need the fellowship of saints and pastoral ministry.
The Infirm
We have them always with us; the young, as well as the old. The writer,
some months ago visited one day, a home for the aged. A number of elderly
sisters, some of them helpless, gladly and thankfully listened to a message
from the Word. It was balm to their lonely hearts. Then we visited a young
man, a helpless and hopeless paralytic from an auto accident. What a blessing
to such a one can the pastoral visit be! Then we called on a young girl,
only 11 years of age, but for a whole year confined to her bed. Yes, dear
saints of God, pastoral ministry is needed for such. The writer himself
has been laid aside for the past five months by a serious, nearly fatal
injury. He has learned much of the need and blessing of visits from the
saints.
The Broken Hearted
No mere poetic phrase is this, my brethren. There are broken hearts--hearts
that have given way under the weight of sorrow or tragedy. Christ alone
can and does heal the broken hearted (Luke 4:18). Their need is the loving,
gracious ministry of Christ, from one who knows experimentally His compassions.
Seek them out!
Broken Homes
It is only too sadly true, there are such among the people of God. One
of the great evils of the times is that of divorce, and the gatherings
have not altogether escaped this evil. Pastoral ministry could save--has
saved, many such a home to the glory of God.
The writer recently received a letter from a young officer overseas.
It was a manly, Christian letter, breathing the Spirit of Christ in every
line. This young man was saved under our ministry, and for years we watched
his spiritual growth, up through high school and a great and godless university,
then in his chosen profession. Throughout these years he maintained a faithful
testimony; and now in the armed forces, is an outstanding witness for Christ.
Years before this dear young man was saved, the writer and his wife were
used of God to save his parents' home from becoming a broken home. There
were three dear children, two of whom are now saved. What might their lives
have been had the home "gone on the rocks!"Yes, broken hearts and broken
homes may be healed through pastoral ministry--the ministry of Christ.
Incipient Assembly Difficulties
After many years of experience, we are convinced that most assembly difficulties
could be averted and the causes healed through pastoral ministry. Not pastoral
meddling, nor muddling, but godly ministry from the Word. To pastoral ministry
should incipient difficulties first be entrusted. We believe that few matters
need come to assembly action where pastoral ministry has been applied in
time.
IV. PASTORAL MINISTRY: ITS QUALIFICATIONS
Maintaining as we do that the pastor of Ephesians 4:11 is a servant called
by the Lord Himself, we would not presume to set forth his qualifications.
If truly called, he will be truly qualified by Him who hath called him.
But pastoral work need not be limited to such a called servant. We believe
the pastor, called of the Lord, should be enabled to devote his life to
that work, supported just as is the evangelist. But since there are few
pastors among us, our plea would include any brother who has a heart for
the Lord's people. To such we would make the following suggestions which
we trust will be helpful.
Knowledge of the Word
Above all else, we would put a living, experimental knowledge of the Word
of God. Pastoral ministry must be ministry of the Word of God--a ministry
of Christ. The shepherd must know where are the pastures of tender grass.
Whichever phase of this ministry we may consider--instruction and counsel;
rebuke or correction; comfort and healing--it must be a ministry of the
Living Word. No mere pious platitudes or empty "cheerios" form any part
of the true pastor's ministry. It must be saturated with Scripture, and
fragrant with the fragrance of Christ. The pastor is constantly confronted
with spiritual problems which can be met only by the Word of God.
A Heart of Love
The pastor must have a great heart of love. Let none presume to take up
this God-given ministry whose heart does not overflow with love for the
people of God. The Chief Shepherd said, "My sheep hear My voice and they
follow Me" (John 10). Why do they follow Him? His love draws them!
There must be the same love shed abroad in the pastor's heart if he would
win and care for the sheep of the flock.
Grace
The pastor must be a gracious man. Grace is love in action. Grace, we may
say, is a blending in the soul of love, wisdom, and humility--a God-given
quality which wins admittance to hearts and draws them to Christ. A servant
of Christ may love souls and yet be altogether lacking in grace.
Let it be said of the pastor as it is of the Lord, "Grace was poured into
His lips."
Patience
The pastor must have exhaustless patience. There are many souls with whom
he must deal who are extremely trying; some have fancied or real grievances;
others are unduly dogmatic or opinionated; many will not walk in the truth.
These cases require God-given patience.
Discernment
The faithful pastor must be ready to probe beneath the surface--to read
and draw out the secrets of the heart; only, of course, as discerning a
state of soul that requires heart searching. Many a soul carries a crushing
burden which could be relieved, or the sufferer saved from it. Many a tragedy
could be averted by such a loving, faithful ministry. The writer has many
times bitterly reproached himself for failure on one momentous occasion
to discern and seek to draw out the secrets of a brother's heart. While
ministering in a certain place, we were lodged with a brother in the Lord,
a gracious and lovable man whom we had known for years. He had a lovely
wife and little son. As the days went on, it was evident to us that this
brother had some; heavy burden on his heart. We tried to cheer him by conversing
about the Lord and the riches of His grace. One evening he seemed to be
especially troubled, to be reaching out for help. There was a piteous look
in his eyes. He seemed to want to unburden himself. But alas, we did not
discern and invite! We felt insufficient for the need; but the pastor must
ever find Christ his sufficiency. Not long after, a most fearful tragedy
took place. We may only say that in one terrible hour, by his own hand,
this brother, his wife and his child departed this scene forever. Oh, why
didn't we put our arms about him and say, "Brother, tell us all about it"?
We believe he would have unburdened himself, and we have reason to believe
that the serious matters in which he was involved could have been cleared
up and a beautiful family saved from this tragedy. Oh yes, the pastor must
not only love but discern troubled hearts and invite confidences!
V. PASTORAL MINISTRY: IF LACKING, WHY?
Since pastoral ministry is of the Lord's own provision; and since its importance
cannot well be questioned; it may well be asked, "Why is it lacking among
His people?" It is with much hesitancy that we attempt to answer--in part--this
pertinent question, lest we seem to be unduly critical. God forbid that
we should question in any measure the faithfulness of our dearly beloved
brethren, either the servants of the Lord, or His assemblies. We are convinced,
after long observation, that it is our common failure--failure on our part
as servants to addict ourselves to pastoral ministry; failure on the
part of assemblies to give it due recognition.
Assemblies and Pastoral Ministry
Assemblies, as a rule, have not encouraged pastoral ministry. Emphasis
is placed upon the preaching of the Gospel. Too often has the idea been
held that "anyone can do pastoral work." In the light of our Scripture,
this view cannot be correct. The Great Shepherd of the sheep has provided
specially gifted pastors for His flocks. He knows the needs of the sheep.
None of His work should be entrusted to "just anyone."
Some years ago a servant of the Lord, after years of gospel preaching,
was definitely led to do the work of pastor and teacher. The need was great,
and in doing the work he found he was gifted for it. After some years in
an assembly where his ministry was attended with blessing and fruit, he
was told by certain (we say not the assembly) that unless he "got out and
preached the Gospel" he could not be counted as a servant of the Lord--that
"any of the brethren could do the pastoral work." (The fact is, he was
preaching the Gospel in every open door in connection with the pastoral
ministry.) To avoid unhappiness, he quietly withdrew to other fields. Returning
years after, he found that "after his departure, grievous wolves had come
in, not sparing the flock." Shepherdless, the flock had been divided and
diminished. False doctrine had taken root. We do not cite this sad instance
as of common, or frequent occurrence. May we not believe that the Chief
Shepherd had beforehand graciously made provision for this flock, which
they had failed to value as His gift to them?
The Lord's Servants and Pastoral Ministry
There are many servants giving themselves to the Gospel ministry. We earnestly
thank God for them. May their numbers increase: and their power be multiplied
in these dark, apostate days! But we would ask of you, our brethren, "Is
there not a lack among us of inclination to do the work of a pastor?" We
have talked with many concerning this need of pastoral ministry, and all
but one have disclaimed any gift for it. Is not this strange? It is not
reasonable to expect that our blessed Lord has purposed and planned that
His servants should labor in due proportion to the work--pastors as well
as evangelists? Are there not some among us who are failing to "stir
up the gift" that is in them? Timothy was an apostolically appointed
pastor and teacher; but the apostle exhorted him to "stir up the gift"
that was in him (2 Timothy 1:6; 2:2). Is it, brethren, that pastoral ministry
is not a "shining ministry"--is hidden and obscure? We know something of
the joy of sounding out the glorious gospel; and something, at least, of
the greater joy of seeing souls brought from death unto life through the
Gospel. But what shall we say, dear brethren, to our Chief Shepherd at
That Day if He hath said to any of us, "Feed My sheep" and we have not
done this?