The One Thing that Matters

Earlier in the week I gave an interview to a doctor of ministry student completing an assignment for his degree.

His assignment required him to interview a veteran pastor about essentials for doing ministry today.

The interview lasted for an hour and for the most part reflected the kinds of questions I would’ve expected him to ask.

For example, he wanted to know what I do to stay fresh in my preaching and how I handle the stress of being a pastor. He also wanted to know what I do as a pastor and what I don’t do as a pastor. Those are typical questions for an interview of this type and also the kind of questions that a young pastor would want to ask.

I didn’t see the last question coming.

He asked: “What is the one thing you would tell a pastor he must do?”

For some reason, I was taken aback by the question and didn’t have a ready answer.

Then after a few seconds I gave two answers.

First, every pastor must love his wife and love his family.

I am blessed immeasurably by having a wife who loves me and wants the best for me. Because there isn’t any drama at home, I can handle the drama I experience in the pastorate every day.

God told husbands to love their wives. Obviously, that includes a pastor.

Love your wife unconditionally and provide for her needs and you solve a huge number of problems.

I believe this is essential for every married pastor.

The second essential is even more important than the first. Every pastor must spend time with God on a daily basis. Nothing can take the place of knowing God.

If we don’t know God, what does a pastor have to offer? A person can find almost every other thing the church offers somewhere else, but he can’t find God apart from God’s word and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We attend church because we need to know God. Of all the things the pastor does, nothing matters more than helping people to have a growing relationship with Him.

For me, that means spending time with God everyday by prayer and reading His word. When I meet with God early in the day, I feel I am ready for whatever life will throw my way.

What would you say is “the one thing” for a pastor?

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11 Responses

  1. A pastor needs to live what he preaches and be an example for his congregation . Our church is so blessed to have you and Martha to lead and teach us.

  2. Amen Dr. Bailey. I have often said to churches, The better husband and father I can be to my my wife and children the better pastor I will be to the church I serve.

    1. A pastor can always be trusted and willing to hear what a member might confide. A pastor should always be aware that they are not judges, but when a member has a problems of “I’ve just got to talk about this,” the pastor is your best and most trustworthy friend.

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