The Heart of a Pastor

“Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34)

. They were killing Jesus. They would run up and spit on Him, then back off and laugh at Him and call Him blasphemous names. They would quote His words back to Him and dare Him to come down from the cross and prove Himself.

. They were mean-spirited and ugly and hatefilled, and He loved them.

. As they killed Him, He prayed for them.

. That, my friends, is a pastor. A shepherd. A lover of God’s people.

. The heart of a pastor is a wonderful thing.

. Something inside me wants to say preachers either have hearts of a pastor or they do not. And if not, they should turn down every invitation from search committees to become pastors because it’s a perfect set-up for disappointment on his part and disaster on theirs. The preacher who can deliver a fine sermon but who is unavailable and ineffective during the week one-on-one should ask the Lord to show him other ways to use his gifts and calling.

. The pastorate is not for him.

. On the other hand, I imagine a large segment of pastors have dominant drawings to study and preaching, and with a minor, if you will, in the actual pastoral work. Even so, any minister of the Gospel without a strong appreciation for the people of God and his accountability to God for their care and nurture is missing something essential in his makeup. Keep reading