What I've Been Reading
The month of October has been deemed Pastor Appreciation Month. I’m not sure who decides such things or how they become official, but many churches recognize this so I guess it is official. And of course I’m grateful for that. Who doesn’t like encouragement and appreciation? In the spirit of Pastor Appreciation, I want to share about a book that speaks specifically to pastors and ministry leaders.
More often than not, when you put a group of pastors together, the conversation will turn to the frustrations of ministry. Now, there needs to be a safe place for pastors to discuss ministry and its challenges. Pastors are human, too, after all. But I admit sometimes I am embarrassed by our complaints when I look at other vocations. For instance, law enforcement officers have people shooting at them. However difficult my days have been, the only bullets I have had to dodge have been proverbial. And yet, there is a very real danger in ministry--losing sight of who God is and who I am.
That’s the message of Paul David Tripp’s book Dangerous Calling. Tripp divides his work into three sections. First, the book gives an honest look at the nature of pastoral culture today. What makes the book so convicting is Tripp relies not only on anecdotes from others but on his own experiences and failures. Too many pastors get their identity from their ministry. He observes that many pastors have lost their joy and simply go to work each week just because they don’t know what else they would do (37). He observes how pastoral culture encourages pastors to focus on theological knowledge rather than heart transformation. As a result, moral and spiritual growth are neglected. Tripp warns that as a result, many pastors risk become self-righteous and isolated from fellow believers. American church culture today forgets the teaching of Ephesians 4:11-16, that pastors are primarily the equippers for ministry, not the sole doers of ministry.
When it comes to facing the danger of forgetting who God is, Tripp reminds ministry leaders that one major gift we should bring to the church is: “to give people back their awe of God.” (117). In this section, Tripp challenges pastors that an awe of God keeps us from being satisfied with mediocrity in any aspect of our ministry. In the final section of the book, Tripp deals with the danger pastors face of forgetting who we are. In this final section of the book Tripp exhorts pastors to keep a balanced view of our identity: “You must think of yourself not only as an instrument of the work but also as a recipient” (193). This practice will keep pastors from pride, spiritual stagnation, and even temptation.
Tripp’s thesis can be proven anecdotally by observing the many pastors who have fallen morally or failed in their leadership. One does not have to go far to give examples. Of the five endorsements on the rear jacket of the book, three of the five ministry leaders have fallen. One to adultery, one to heresy (by which I mean the repudiation of Christianity), and the other due to financial scandal and controversial behavior.
For pastors and ministry leaders, this book will challenge you to be more conscious and intentional about your spiritual life. Make your walk with God a strong priority each day. For those readers who are not pastors, let this be an encouragement to pray for and encourage your pastor.