Paul’s Heart-felt Words, Expressing a Pastor’s Heart

In my morning devotions a portion of 1 Thessalonians 2 was next up for me to read. I thought, wow, this describes the pastor’s heart. I re-read it. This is, by God’s grace, the way I tried to be during my nearly 40 years of ministry at Mayfair-Plymouth Church in Toledo, Ohio. My prayer is that Paul’s words will warm your own heart for this kind of ministry.

“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us… For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11-12)

What words! We’re to pastor like a mother, being gentle, and like a father, exhorting, encouraging, and charging our people to walk worthy of God… Being affectionately desirous of our people… Sharing ourselves, as well as the gospel, because the people are dear to us.

I just thought the reminder from Paul would be helpful in re-imaging for us what a pastor’s heart is to be like. It was for me.