The Nature, Importance, Duties and Qualifications of the Pastor - How are you measuring up?

While working in Law Enforcement, one of my jobs was to research, analyze, schedule, and at times, even develop training for officers.  One type of training was known as, 

"Virtual Tactical Training"

Placing officers in virtual situations was the best way to determine whether or not they were ready to react and respond appropriately in order to best protect themselves and others from unnecessary harm.

In fact, in many cases, a new recruit would not even be allowed to pass academy until they were able to respond correctly when faced with hostile, unknown, unanticipated, real world, situations.

This type of training is "A TEST" and is critical in exposing areas of weakness and/or need for additional training before carrying a gun and patrolling the streets in the real world.  Unfortunately, there is not such training in many other chosen fields.   Most of us have to learn as we go.  You know the old saying, "on-the-job training".

Such is especially true for Pastors. They are called to a much higher standard of behavior regardless of who provokes them or how they are provoked and are also held to a higher level of accountability in terms of how they respond to criticism, perceived hostility, or any unanticipated seemingly negative encounter which often come from the members of their very own church.  This is no easy task.

I have found that many don't even know the truth about the nature, importance, duties and qualifications of a Pastor and even if they know the right attitude and heart response on paper, it is only when they get "TESTED" in real life, that the truth about their "readiness" as a Pastor is revealed. 

So have you been "TESTED" lately?

We came across this wonderful check list (written years ago) and thought some may wish to discover how well they do on paper; so, at the very least, they might be humbled (privately) and discover areas of growth that might need to be addressed--because we all have them.

£  Learn to be abused without becoming angry.

£  Lend your ear to reproaches–rather than applauses. Reproaches may let us see some of our foibles or failings. But commendation is very apt to kindle self-conceit—of which everyone has enough.

£  Argue coolly, and from conscience—not for victory.

£  Do not pretend a ‘show of sanctimony’ before men.

£  Be scant in exhibiting ‘specimens of your learning’, or comments on the Scriptures in their original languages. For a fine grammarian may be but a novice in piety and the gospel.

£  Do not be much concerned about your own reputation—as long as the truth and the gospel do not suffer.

£  Learn daily more of Christ and more of yourself—else your other studies will profit little.

£  Do not contract many worldly acquaintances.

£  Do not meddle much with the affairs of this life.

£  Do not be ashamed of piety in any company.

£  Whatever else you read, read a double portion in the scriptures of truth.

£  Shun familiarity with the men of the world—else celestial truths, as uttered by you, will be despised.

£  Seek not great things for yourself. Seek not great fame, great applause, great comforts, or a great income. But seek great things for Christ. Seek for Him great glory, many converts, and much fruits of righteousness.

£  Consider the preciousness of souls, the value of salvation, the weight of the sacred charge, the terrors of the Almighty, the solemn day of judgment, and your own utter inability. Then shall you have no vain confidence, but depend on God alone.

£  Please all men so long as you are consistent with the truth—but do not wound the truth to please any.

£  Set your affections on things above—so shall spiritual things be your delight, and not your burden.

£  In company, always study to say something for edification. In this way, you preach every day—as well as on Sundays.

£  Be much with God in secret—so shall God be with you in public.

£  See that the behavior of every person in your family is a pattern to all observers; and not matter of reproach—to the joy of God’s enemies.

£  Let your flock be continually on your mind. And not only pray with them in public, and from house to house—but carry them to your closet, and pray for them in private.

£  Do not neglect to visit them at all proper times, but especially embrace those golden opportunities—sickness and affliction.

£  Have sympathetic feelings with the sufferings of all your flock.

£  Let your life be consistent with your message. What you preach on Sunday—practice through the week.

£  Do not only press charity on the wealthy; but let your example, according to your ability, show the way.

£  Be temperate in eating and drinking. Do not, when at a feast, though temperate at other times—be a glutton or a wine-bibber.

£  With respect to your flock, consider that you are made the steward of a family, and therefore must, seeing the great Master allows it—provide food for all—meat for the strong, and milk for the weak.

£  Give a pleasant ear when others are commended. But always frown away the friend that would commend you to your face.

£  In preaching, aim at God’s glory and the good of souls. And then, without deviating from that rule—please all men as much as possible.

£  Let your sermons be always the fruit of much study and application. And never dare to serve God or his people with that which cost you nothing.