3 Aspects to Look for in a Ministry Leader

Social media presents a broad platform for people to communicate.

Within very short amounts of time, influencers can accumulate a very faithful following and greatly impact a niche group. 

With COVID lockdowns, online sermons skyrocketed as churches adjusted to fill the lack of in-person meetings. With the limitations of in-person meetings, the spotlight shifted to online teaching and preaching with 60% of churchgoers logging onto online services during the pandemic. 

But with so many influencing voices saturating our media streams, how can we discern truth? 

There must be a way to measure the standards of a pastor’s claims and to truly know and recognize true spiritual leadership!

Travis and I have taken a look at what it means to honor our pastors. But today, we’re going to look at Paul’s model of pastorship, examining the apostle’s calling, the shape of his ministry, and the aims he felt compelled to pursue as well recognize the genuine signs of God at work in the man himself.

Let’s see what Paul himself writes to the Colossae church… 

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Colossians 1:24-29 

1. Look at the source of the ministry.

“I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you” (v 25).

First, Paul is prompting us to look at what led to his entering the ministry.

As as an apostle, or pastor, it was his duty is to defend and justify his ministry for local reasons. 

In Greek, minister means diakonos—or one who executes the commands of another connoting the idea that a minister is one who is hired/assigned to serve. In the most basic terms, a minister is a servant of Christ.

It’s important to note that Paul highlights that he became a minister, helping us understand that a minister does not choose the office, rather he is appointed. 

Paul understood that the role of a pastor involves a calling to serve rather than asserting a position of power. 

Not only was Paul appointed as a minster, he also recognizes the importance of stewardship. Service and stewardship go hand-in-hand. 

In ministry, being a steward means looking after others on behalf of God. A ministry leader is fully responsible to God and for the growth and wellbeing of fellow Christians! 

When looking at ministry leaders, we need to ask ourselves did the individual choose the ministry or were they, in fact, chosen? 

Desiring to become a minister is a noble task. However, the distinction must be made: one is called into the ministry rather than choosing it for himself.

2. Look at the motivation of the ministry. 

Paul recognized that he was chosen to serve as a minister and steward his calling by investing in others. He also acknowledged that his suffering had a greater purpose.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church (v 24).

What is the point of Paul’s suffering?

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly this man went through. 

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, Paul lists all of the atrocities he endured throughout his years of ministry. From imprisonments to near-death beatings, shipwrecks and traveling among bandits to battling against thirst and hunger and the merciless elements—Paul presents a rather wide portfolio of intense suffering.

But what exactly is the point of Paul’s sufferings? 

The phrase that might trip us up is when Paul states, “I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” 

This begs the question—did Christ not sacrifice enough? 

Philippians 3:10 helps form the connections:

That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share the sufferings becoming like him in his death.

Paul is claiming the portions of Christ’s suffering that were not endured by Him in person are endured in the sufferings of Christians in all generations carrying out Christ’s work. 

Paul fully understands the burden of the minister’s task and how his personal suffering served a bigger purpose on behalf of those who receive the gospel.

What motivates a ministry reveals what the ultimate mission is.

3. Look at the mission of the ministry. 

A pastor has a two-fold ministry: 

-to serve the Word of God 
-to serve the people of God. 

If a pastor’s mission is responsible for serving the Word of God, a pastor’s ministry must reflect its dedication to preach the full gospel. Not a piece, not what isn’t offensive, and not what tickles the ear—but the full message of the gospel! 

Without the preaching of the word the church will wither and die or assume a false representation of who Christ is.

The power of the gospel lies in the pastor’s work of instruction, correction, and training.

Maturity is the goal of God-fearing Christians. That’s why discipleship is so important, and we are to be warned and corrected by the ministry leaders in our lives. We need to be careful that we are rightly discerning the Word of Truth rather than the magnetism of a captivating word. 

Paul Washer said it accurately:
“Whenever eloquence is more important than the word spoken there is no power. Whenever a saying or quote or feeling is more important than the truth that should be communicated, it is useless.”

By teaching the word of God the church is served. By the truth of the gospel, the church is formed, sustained, and equipped.

So we have to ask ourselves…who are you letting into your mind? 

With access to so much convenient preaching online, are you feeding off of preaching that fills us up like a feel-good tune or words of truth that convict and grow us closer in your walk with God? 

Who do you listen to? Take advice from? Has time proven that they consistently speak truth?

Comment below with a truth from a ministry leader you’ve been chewing on lately.