Last Sunday I had the joy of preaching in a church which is pastored by 2 young leaders. They are married and they are called to serve together. After the service the church people continued to gather for what was around 1 hour having refreshments and talking to one another. I hadn’t seen people stay that long for some time. It was obvious that this was very much part of what was important for the church.
I had lunch with these 2 Pastors afterwards and I enjoyed my time listening to their stories so far of ministry. I suddenly began to feel my age as I looked at them and remembered what life was like for me as a Pastor at their age.
I am thinking of this couple as I read this verse this morning. Whilst it is focused on Titus, the Church leader, responsible for the work in Crete and though Pastors (like my young couple) will draw from the lessons, this verse can be applied to every disciple.
“These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus 2 v 15)
Teach – Paul has already told Titus to focus on older men and women, younger people and the slaves/workers. He gave Titus specific topics to teach on. But these were not some mere speaking subjects but divine wisdom for godly living. Recently this young Pastoral couple had just finished a series on spiritual gifts and it brought about further moments of empowerment and mentoring. To teach is to enlighten, to open a window so that light can penetrate into the deepest recesses of our heart and mind where responses can change impacting our action. To teach is also to remind, to draw from what may lie dormant from years ago and to bring it to the surface of the hearer’s life.
Encourage and rebuke with all authority – As I looked around the church people after the service I noticed these 2 Pastors in separate places sitting with their members of the church. I didn’t know what they were saying or when praying for them. However the picture was of 2 Pastors who were coming alongside others to urge them to go forward in their discipleship. It was as if they were being their coach not only there to instruct but to personally motivate each member of the team. I am sure that at some point those conversations have contained rebuke. Pastors often call me to ask for advice on how to rebuke a member. They want to do it in love. They don’t want to lose them but they also don’t want their member to be lost due to straying from the truth. It is a difficult place but love compels us to do it. This encouragement and rebuke is done with all authority. This is not from ourselves. This is delegated authority. This is not abusive. This is with humility. This is for us all.
Do not be despised – I started out as a Pastor being the youngest member of my church! My couple that I keep referring to are also ministering largely to those who are not only older but have been Christians longer than they have. They do it by not allowing the age to be a barrier. This also applies to Pastors who may be old (like me!) Age is not a thing. I know of people older than me still praying passionately for a move of God more than those 2 generations below them. I also know of young people who carry a humility which is more pure than those who were leading the church when they were not even born! Whatever age – don’t let people put you down, stand firm and protect the message God has given you. If there is pushback that doesn’t mean you have to be pushed back. You can push further forward because you have the truth of God’s Word.
These are helpful instructions for us all not only my young Pastor couple.
Missions Paul 