The key to the success of pastoral ministries lies in self-nurturing of pastors. Our self-identify determines directions and strategies of our ministries.
Henri J. M. Nouwen, a Dutch Catholic priest and theologian, reminds priests to know their roles in two sides in his book Creative Ministry:
First of all, they need to be aware that they are entrusted to help others face their own spiritual situations with confidence, which is an urgent need for everyone. What's more, they can't do this without the help of the Lord and holy word. Pastors entrusted to do this kind of work are required to affirm their own ministerial identity.
Secondly, pastors should empty themselves, considering themselves as useless laborers, abandoning comparing themselves with others and self-centeredness. They should be free away from the influence of the secular value system, "creating the space where God ... can work."
So self-affirmation and self-denial are helpful to the identity of pastors.
People are accustomed to taking group value for reference. This type of group influence is produced unconsciously, therefore, pastors are affected.
However, pastoral work is an extraordinary job. Among the relationships of a pastor, the relationship between a pastor and the sheep, or the pastoral relationship, exceeds general social relations like friendship or professional relationship between people under contract. Based on the covenant God has made with his people, pastors are sent to take initiatives and care the needy. When a pastoral relationship starts, pastors who are aware of setbacks ahead, are willing to love people without hesitations out of their missions.
It is this kind of spirit that leads to a successful pastoral ministry. At that time pastors become the so-called "representatives of God", who reflect the brightness of the Lord. They help people see their darkness and experience crucial healing and renewal, which is the unique work and value of pastoral ministry and the ability any other subject can have.
In the eyes of the secular culture, this is a subversive value. Many strategies built on the secular value system don't aim to realize the value. It is pity that pastors may ignore it or lack faith in the field. Instead, they are keen on attending other professional courses and enhance their values through other qualifications, blind to the glory granted to them and even covering it.
It's necessary to study professions related to the pastoral work, but don't put the cart before the horse and replace the work of the holy word and the Holy Spirit with management or psychology. The foundation of a successful pastoral ministry is that an inner image of pastors is established in accordance with the Bible and pastoral and counseling resources are deeply drawn from the Bible.
The author is a preacher from Ningde Church of Fujian.
Translated By: Karen Luo
