The
Lord's Preacher
Elder
O. B. Mink
Retired
Sovereign Grace Baptist Pastor
The Lord's preachers are human (believe it or not) just as much as any
of us. They come from all areas and levels of society, but mostly from
homes poor in material wealth. They come in all sizes - tall, short, fat,
skinny, and in between. But they are all of the male sex.
Most people do not care whether they exist or not ; that is, until they
get in trouble. Then they ask, "Where is that preacher, what's his name?"
Then the first question they ask the preacher is, "Why in the world did
God let this happen to me?"
But, in fact, God's preachers are not hard to find, for they are constantly
being told by a great many people, "You get in my hair, preacher", or,
"You get under my skin", and that is about as close as you can get to a
person.
The Lord's preachers are required to have the wisdom of Solomon; the disposition
of a lamb; the swiftness of an eagle. But when he makes a mistake, he is
called an ignoramus. If he unapologetically preaches the truth of God's
word, he is accused of being hard-hearted, or inconsiderate. And if he
is not promptly at the scene of every church related emergency, some of
the members will say, "He is lazy".
In the eyes of a great many people, the Lord's preacher is a bogey-man
who spends most of his time talking about the place "down there".
While the great majority of secular employees get paid vacations, holidays,
and a host of other job benefits, and rightly so, the Lord's preacher is
on call twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, and his job benefits,
other than the meager salary, are few or none. He has no pastor, nor labor
union to take his grievance to.
Each church member knows, or should know that God's preacher has but one
mission in life, and that is to reprove sin, first in himself, and then
in whomsoever it is seen. He is considered a dedicated man, but, he should
keep quiet about the "little sins", "immodest dress", or "colored jesting",
and, oh yes, why does he criticize other churches?
If God's preacher drives a big car, he is materially minded. If he drives
a little car, he is not concerned in bringing people to church. He is expected
to be the first and the last person at the church building, no matter what
kind of car he drives.
He must be at all times ready to meet the public, and represent the church.
If his old faithful suit begins to show wear from the many drops of pulpit
sweat, he is undignified. Yet, some members keep telling him, "Don't you
forget, we are giving you your living".
No matter how sour the grapes, he must ever be an extrovert, which is sometimes
most difficult. But, faith in God has made an unceasing optimist of him
and he knows the rain which comes into his life falls from the cloud of
God's merciful and beneficent providence which abides upon him.
Soldiers get medals for bravery. Industry gives promotions and certificates
of merit for jobs well done. Lodges bestow accolades upon their worthies.
The entertainment world has their outstanding artists whom they award with
trophies. But none can compare with the reward that the Lord's preacher
will receive when he faces his God and hears Him say, "Well done, thou
good and faithful servant".
The Lord's preacher knows that in order to become President of the United
States, he would have to take a big demotion. The Lord's preacher may,
in old age retire from the pastorate, but he will never cease to preach,
for there is no discharge from that high and lofty calling.
"This
is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a
good work". (I Timothy 3:1)
No matter the heartaches connected with a God given ministry, there is
no better, or a more soul edifying work.
(The
Baptist Herald - October, 1994)
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