In the last decade, a great deal has been published on the perils and pains associated with pastoral ministry.1 Significant issues such as burnout, sexual indiscretions, abuses of power, and failed relationships have been associated with clergy. These issues are worthy of attention. Indeed, Paul admonished Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Tim. 4:16).2 Such potential derailments of ministry should not be minimized; however, it would be counterproductive, discouraging, and even depressing to perpetually focus on these at the expense of the joys and satisfaction that pastoral ministry offers.
Blind Bartimaeus
Consider the heartwarming account of blind Bartimaeus as he received his sight; his story helps illustrate the point.
Recorded by the three synoptic Gospels (Matt. 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52; Luke 18:35–43), Mark’s version of this event at Jericho contains at least one significant and unique detail. While all three synoptic writers record that Bartimaeus annoyed those standing near him as he bellowed to Jesus, begging for mercy, only Mark’s account describes the response of the crowd when Jesus sent a message calling Bartimaeus: “So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you’ ” (Mark 10:49).
“ ‘Cheer up! . . . He’s calling you.’ ” What could that mean to us, as ministers? The Greek word tharseÅ, (translated here as “cheer up”) can mean “be of good courage,” “don’t be overly bold,” “fear not,” “pluck up courage,” “fear not about,” “feel confidence against,“ “have no fear of.”3 Additionally, the translation could read as to be firm or resolute in the face of danger or adverse circumstances, be enheartened. Don’t be afraid!4
These various meanings provide sound counsel for those called by Jesus to ministry. Interestingly, this word appears only eight times in the New Testament and each time in the imperative. We are told, commanded, to “cheer up.”
Also, earlier in this chapter (vv. 13–16), Mark describes Jesus as eagerly welcoming children for blessing, and rebuking His disciples who were opposed to children being in contact with Jesus. Jesus said, “ ‘Let the little children come to me’ ” (v. 14). He was similarly welcoming of the outcast Bartimaeus.
At the same time, in the same chapter (w. 17–22), a wealthy man approached Jesus on his knees. Jesus called him to follow Him, but the wealthy man departed downcast, unable to give his wealth away as a prerequisite for his discipleship. This unnamed man stands in contrast to the beggar named Bartimaeus, who responded to Jesus’ call by casting aside one of his (we presume) few possessions—his coat—in order to follow Jesus.
In short, it appears that much of Mark 10 centers around the call of Jesus to individuals, and nestled into this context, is a wonderful story of vision and hope—the healing and calling of blind Bartimaeus. The story of Bartimaeus encourages readers to recall and rejoice with Bartimaeus and, simultaneously, contemplate their own calls to ministry by Jesus.
The Bible records the details of other individuals—such as Noah, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, and Jonah— called to ministry.5 The Gospels record the calling of most of the apostles. The book of Acts repeatedly presents the call given to the apostle Paul. Implied with the call to ministry for all of these men comes the underlying message: You are in God’s vision and He has a vision for you. You are wanted!
The challenges
An appropriate emphasis upon our call to ministry can help preserve and protect it. When we are tempted to act contrary to our call, we need to remember that we have been called by the Lord to our ministry. If we have accepted that call, we need to take it seriously.
Of course, when difficulties come we need to remember that these are not about you but the great controversy. In war, when a soldier is shot at, the soldier doesn’t ask, “What did I do or say to deserve that?” In spiritual warfare, being on the firing line comes with the territory.
Douglas Webster makes this important observation, “Nothing can ruin our virtue or destroy our soul that is not self-inflicted. . . . The devil robbed Job of everything but could not rob Job of his virtue. Cain took Abel’s life but could not take away his greater gain. Only those who injure themselves are injured.”6
At times in ministry, pastors can easily get discouraged (especially those with a splash of melancholy in their personalities to begin with). On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, His disciples—even the ones aware of the Resurrection—were downhearted. But Jesus met them on their journey to Emmaus and in a reasonable amount of time, they were rejoicing. All things considered, we have many reasons to rejoice, whatever our struggles.
Reasons for rejoicing
For starters, this calling can be one of the greatest joys known to humanity. So often, when clergy retire, they miss ministry enormously. Those who move into administration, a department, or a parachurch role often miss the community in which they had ministered. That alone says a lot about the joys and satisfaction that comes with ministry.
Also, could you find a better Role Model in the world than Jesus Christ? A better person in the world to emulate? This world has witnessed many good leaders, but, as a minister of the gospel, you have been called by the greatest.
Meanwhile, we can be thankful that we already have the Messiah, and we need only one Messiah. We can rejoice because we are not called to solve all the world’s problems. We are not equipped—nor are we expected—to solve all the problems we encounter. We can only do our God-given best.
As ministers of the gospel, we can rejoice because we promote hope. We are fortunate to be the dispensers of the best news known to humanity. In a sense, we are providing water, the Living Water, to the thirsty in a world that has seen too many mirages. We are about the business of eternity.
We must remember, too, that others are called as well as ourselves. Those who answer to us, those we are called to answer to, have just as legitimate a calling as us. Even others who are called to minister in other Christian denominations have a purpose in God’s plan. The greatest joy is that we are not in isolation; an innumerable number are currently responding to the calling they have received from Jesus.
Even more so than other people, as ministers we have been called to reflect on Jesus. His words, His values, His motives, and His attitudes are the foundation of our lives. All that is good, uplifting, wholesome, and positive becomes the true environment we must inhabit.
We can rejoice because our lives, as ministers, are not going to be wasted. Whether our days are long or short, when we respond positively to the call of Jesus, our lives will serve a positive and significant purpose, however “menial” some of the tasks may seem. Jesus asked some of His followers to fetch for Him a colt, others to prepare a meal, and others to move a stone. All of these could, in all likelihood, have seemed like menial or even pointless tasks at the time. “Why do you want us to move this stone, Lord? The guy is dead! And it’s only going to let out a bad smell!” But, from these seemingly pointless tasks, came majestic events: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on that colt, the Communion service with the breaking of bread, and the resurrection of Lazarus. We can take heart: our lives have a purpose and a meaning.
Is it possible to describe a routine day in ministry? It seems as though each day is blessed with unexpected surprises that regularly provide opportunities to be ever growing and developing. And while this growth may include the accumulation of professional degrees; more important, it should involve our maturity in ministry so that we can more effectively serve.
We can rejoice because, when God calls us to ministry, there are opportunities to be a blessing to others. This comes as a natural result of serving. What greater joy can one have than a life called to serve and bless others?
In short, whatever our challenges, we would do well to remember the words spoken to Bartimaeus, “ ‘Cheer up! . . . He’s calling you.’ ”
1. For example, Richard Exley, Perils of Power (Silver Spring, MD: Ministerial Association of Seventh-day Adventist, 1995); Gary L. McIntosh and Robert L. Edmondson, It Only Hurts on Monday: Why Pastors Quit and What You Can Do About It (Saint Charles, IL: ChurchSmart Resources, 1998); G. Lloyd Rediger, Clergy Killers (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997); Paul Whetham and Libby Whetham, Hard to Be Holy: Unravelling the Roles and Relationships of Church Leaders (Adelaide, Australia: Openbook, 2000).
2. Unless otherwise noted, scriptures are quoted from the New International Version of the Bible.
3. A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed., comps. Henry George Liddell and Robert Scott (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996), s.v. “tharseÃ…Â.”
4. Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed., eds. Frederick W. Danker, W. F. Arndt, and F. W. Gingrich (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), s.v. “tharseÃ…Â.”
5. Clearly, others were also specifically called by God; their ministries give clear, positive testimony to this fact. However, for some reason, their call to ministry has not been recorded in Scripture. Daniel, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and Micah readily come to mind as examples.
6. Douglas Webster, “Chrysostom: ‘Golden Mouth,’ ” Preaching 24, no. 6 (May–June 2009): 62.
