THE PREACHER’S FAMILY
My family is by far my most important ministry and my greatest mission field. I
cannot be a faithful minister of the gospel while neglecting my God-given
family obligations. Even though I may be doing a lot of good work for the Lord
and ministering to numerous people, if my family is lost in the process I am a
miserable failure (cf. 1 Samuel 2:12; 3:13). Never have I heard a preacher
bemoan the fact that he has given too much time and attention to his family.
However, I am personally aware of several who have suffered strained or broken
marriages or have lost their kids to the world because they were too busy doing
“the Lord’s work” at the expense of being husbands and fathers.
If I am married and have children, to borrow Harry Truman’s adage, “The buck
stops here.” In other words, the primary responsibility for my family’s well
being has been placed on my shoulders (Ephesians 5:23–6:4). When the inevitable
conflicts arise, instead of automatically pointing the finger I need to be
asking, “What have I done or failed to do to contribute to these
problems, and what do I need to be doing to help resolve them?” It is blatant
hypocrisy to teach or counsel others to obey God’s directives for the home if I
am not obedient myself.
“But if anyone is not providing for his own, and especially for his household,
he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).1
How does this passage apply to me? If I furnish my family a place to sleep and
clothes to wear and sufficient funds in the grocery budget, have I satisfied
this divine expectation? Surely providing for my family involves more than just
material necessities. Am I supplying love, security, a good example,
encouragement, discipline, spiritual leadership, affection, affirmation, and
quality time and attention?
THE PREACHER’S HEALTH
In order for my car to operate to its full potential and to be of any value to
me or anyone else, regular fueling, maintenance, and repairs are necessary.
Otherwise, it breaks down and serves no functional purpose. The same holds true
for preachers. Jesus, one of the busiest men who ever lived, recognized that
occasions of rest and rejuvenation are necessary (cf. Mark 6:31).
My physical health suffers when I pay little attention to diet and exercise,
thus rendering me less and less useful in the Lord’s service. Just like my
automobile, my body isn’t going to run indefinitely, and without proper care it
will not function efficiently, and it probably won’t wait for a convenient time
to break down.
My mental health suffers when my outward focus significantly exceeds my inward
and upward focus. Being continually overloaded and overwhelmed by external
factors, with little opportunity for healthy diversions, eventually leads to a
breaking point. The stress, pressures, and time-demands can be relieved by
hobbies, recreation, and rest. Yes, even preachers need the occasional break.
My spiritual health suffers when nearly all of my Bible study is for the
benefit of others, while my own spirit is malnourished. Personal devotion is
vital to keeping the proverbial batteries recharged. I cannot be “equipped for
every good work” without a steady diet of spiritual sustenance (2 Timothy
3:14-17).
DOCTRINAL BALANCE2
The Bible has always presented a balanced message that includes both promises
and warnings, blessings and responsibilities, righteousness and sin, mercy and
justice, heaven and hell, faith and obedience, etc. Declaring the whole counsel
of God, therefore, calls for doctrinal balance that considers all sides of
divine instruction and not just one to the virtual exclusion of the other.
As a biblically balanced preacher I will always strive to say and do the right
things in the right ways for the right reasons. Doctrinal balance particularly
compels me to proclaim the right message with the right attitude in the right
manner (2 Timothy 2:24-25; 4:2). Further, I must appreciate that faithfulness
and godly living are to precede anything I attempt to verbally profess (1
Timothy 4:6-16).
Doctrinal balance ensures that I am committed to the middle road of truth without
compromise and without veering to the reckless left or the radical
right. Controversy is not something to eagerly seek out or intentionally
and unnecessarily generate. But when it does occur, and it certainly will, how
does the Lord expect me to respond? Suffice it to say that doctrinal balance
has no place for timidity, evasion, or unconcern (cf. Romans 16:17; Galatians
6:1; Jude 3).
--Kevin
L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations in English are
the author’s own translation.
2 This brief section is a condensed and modified version of the
author’s “Training Biblically Balanced Preachers,” in Gospel Journal 7.6
(2006): 14-15.
Published in So
You Want to Be a Preacher, ed. David Powell. Henderson, TN: Freed-Hardeman
University, 2013: 220-29.
Related Posts: Achieving Balance Part 1, Part 3, Train up a child
No comments:
Post a Comment