Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV)
It is good for a pastor to learn about time management, hermeneutics, homiletics, church administration, and church growth strategies. These and many other skills are necessary to be effective in ministry. However, a pastor must also learn to love the people God has called him to serve.
When I was ordained into the Gospel ministry, Pastor Clyde Stokes exhorted me with these words: “Do not use people to build your ministry, but use your ministry to build people.” Since those days I have sought to genuinely love God’s people. I am not a world-class orator, or an administrative genius. But I love my people. I rejoice with those who rejoice and I weep with those who weep. When I stand to preach on Sunday I feel that I am in a room full of friends. When I have to preach a word of rebuke my congregation knows it is out of love (2 Tim. 4:2). When I make a mistake, they understand that it was a mistake of the head, not the heart (1 Peter 4:8). When I make changes in the church they know that I have the congregation’s best interests at heart. I would encourage every pastor to cultivate a heart of love for God’s people in the following ways.
- Spend time with your people.
- Learn to laugh.
- Admit when you are wrong.
- Pray for them regularly.
- Tell them you love them.
- Forgive them when they hurt you.
- Remember how much Jesus loves them and ask Him for a measure of His compassion.
- Be a servant-leader, not a dictator.
- Remember that the people are not our enemies.
- Stay put. Don’t run to a new church when things are not going well in your ministry. Ask God to let you stay and love the people through the struggles. I’ve been on staff at Fort Caroline Baptist Church for over 15 years. It has been tempting to run on several occasions, but I am grateful God has allowed me to stay put.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
