A Job Well Done??

How do you evaluate a pastor’s “job performance”?

Through the centuries, we’ve come up with some rather arbitrary, subjective bases for determining how well our ministers are serving. For example, whether or not the church is growing numerically is often considered the pastor’s responsibility. In a former ministry where I served, one man insisted I should visit all of the shut-ins every week—and there were five or six of them. Interestingly, the gentleman was a deacon, but never considered that maybe he should do so.

In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul recounts his ministry among the people in Thessalonica; and in doing so, he provides some objective evaluation points against which a 21st-century pastor can measure himself.

In the first place, he should be bold in the proclamation of the Gospel, even in the face of opposition (v. 2).

Connected to that, second, he should preach to please God, not men (v. 4), because, after all, God tests the heart; man can judge only performance. Too many pastors have allowed pressure from certain key, influential church members to determine what they will or won’t preach. Others have opted for a “no offense” policy; that is, they won’t say anything negative, or that might offend someone in the congregation.

A third point of evaluation concerns his treatment of people. Paul testifies that he was gentle among God’s people (v. 7). Far too many pastors seem to be angry with their people—their preaching is more like a whipping session! They scold, belittle, yell, scream, rant, and rave—all in the name of preaching. Unfortunately, in many cases, their people have grown so accustomed to pulpit bullying, they think that’s what good preaching looks like!

Fourth, good pastors will sacrifice for their people, working diligently for their welfare (v. 8-9).

Next, they will behave in a way that leaves no question about their integrity (v. 10). Their public life is consistent with their preaching.
Finally, the preaching ministry balances exhortation, encouragement, and simple testimony to God’s truth (v. 11 – “charge” means to witness or testify). And again, the manner employed is that of a father’s ministry to his children—motivated and marked by love.

No pastor will always measure up perfectly to these standards—at best they are but men, after all. But these standards should generally characterize his ministry.

If they are the marks of your pastor, thank the Lord for him.
If they’re not, well, you know how to pray for him!