Dangerous Calling

Dangerous Calling

Why would anyone think that being a pastor is a dangerous calling? Yes, there have been an increased number of assaults and murders on church property. But that's not the danger that I am writing about. Some time ago I watched a DVD series by Paul David Tripp titled “Dangerous Calling.” He maintains that the pastoral ministry becomes dangerous when one looses their awe of God!

We don't here the word “awe” much anymore. Maybe it's because our culture is not surprised or astonished about life. With the constant saturation of information and misdeeds, a numbness of the soul has settled in. The dictionary defines “awe” as reverential fear or respect of someone or something. I wonder how much awe of God is left even in the Church.

Years ago, preparing to start a storefront church in Montana, a seasoned pastor had some practical advice for me. He said that there are two key things for survival in ministry: keep your hands out of the offering plate and keep your pants zipped up. Years later while ministering in Africa, another seasoned pastor told me that in training young men for the ministry he stresses this wisdom: you loose your pants, you lose your Bible. This is down to earth advice that they don't teach you in Bible school.

A pastor has to master the gift of caring for people without losing the awe of God. The ongoing struggles of people's lives have a way of overpowering a pastor's own walk with the Lord. Again, I am thankful for those who have encouraged me to hang onto the awe of God.

Here’s what the Bible says to us leaders: “…take care of God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly sowing them the way.”