We could no doubt think of things that are essential and desirable in a minister of the gospel.
A study of the Pastoral Epistles, with their emphasis on character and the single skill of being "apt to teach" would be fruitful.
Many job adverts ask for the Archangel Gabriel and Person Specifications use buzz words like collaborative ministry. No doubt there is code for don't change anything here but single-handedly grow the church, especially with young families.
Likely the minister will need a basic level of administrative competence or he will drive everyone crazy.
You will want him to pastor and teach and do the work of evangelist. It is part of his vocation to lead.
In fact, the minister's week is likely to be very diverse. In many situations he will need to be a jack of at least a few skills.
But perhaps minister and people would do well to remember the words of Pastor Robert Murray McCheyne:
"The greatest need of my people — is my personal
holiness. Take heed to
yourself. Your own soul is your first and greatest care. Keep up
close
communion with God. Study likeness to Him in all things."
Above all else, the minister should seek to love God and love the people. He should delight in the Lord Jesus Christ, revel in his grace, give thanks for his love. It is only by abiding in Christ and seeking to obey his commandments that one can be fruitful.
Maybe you do want strategies and vision statements and all that, but you want a Pastor who will be in the Word, who will pray and listen and speak the good news of the Lord Jesus.
The minister must first of all be a grateful recipient of the gospel. He can only give what he himself has received.
The work is after all ultimately God's, and the minister, conscious of his weaknesses, may confidently look to the power of the Holy Spirit who loves to give life to the dead and chooses the things that are not.
One thing is needful: to sit at Jesus' feet as his disciple. That is indispensable for those who seek to be disciple-making disciples.
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