An Invitation to be Loved by The Father
By Jessica White and Rev. Dr. Judy Crossman
Returning to the First Calling
Pastors are often defined by their role as leader and shepherd of the church. Too often pastors become buried in ministerial work; and as their approach to faith becomes professionalized, it can be difficult for pastors to remember their first calling: to be a true disciple, a lover and learner of Christ.
Rev. Dr. Judy Crossman recalled her own ordination ceremony in The Wesleyan Church, recalling that as other pastors greeted and congratulated her, there was an underlying tone of dread in many of the congratulations.
“Welcome to the club!” “Oh, you’re in for it now!” were among the words used, often with a foreboding tone.
Crossman recalls being somewhat stunned and then angry at the response she received from counterparts in ministry. Her anger turned to sadness as she realized so many pastors no longer view their ministry as one of high calling, but rather as a looming sentence. So many pastors have lost their joy in walking with Jesus because the role of “pastor” has overtaken their true identity as a child of God, as a disciple of the Father.
These realizations and conversations raise the following questions:
What are the best practices and habits that will lead to a life of true discipleship for a pastor?
What can pastors do to stay vibrant and passionate in the midst of so many demands that come with ministering to a flock of diverse and hurting people?
Rooted in Love and Identity
Crossman believes that along with the calling of pastoral ministry comes an invitation to love and be loved by the Father. The invitation is to be a disciple first, with a growing, loving, and living relationship with God and then His people.
This invitation is rooted in the Shema of the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV):
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength. These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
God called the Israelites to love Him first and foremost, to pass that love on to their children, and to live in His love day in and day out. The parallel easily relates to the pastor and the church. A disciple of Christ immersed in the love of Jesus will overflow and offer God’s love to all those who surround him or her. Loving God and experiencing his love in return is a personal pursuit for each of His disciples and especially one for pastors.
Reflections and Questions from Rev. Dr. Crossman
The following are some of the reflections and questions Rev. Dr. Crossman proposed to help pastors truly stay in the position of a disciple:
Am I spending time in scripture for the purpose of personal growth?
The demands of church planning and sermon preparation can dictate the time pastors spend reading the Bible. What does it look like on a daily and weekly basis to spend time in scripture for learning more about Jesus on a personal level?
Is a weekly Sabbath a priority in my life?
“Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy” (Exodus 20:8 NIV) is one of those commandments we tend to think does not apply to ministry. God rested. He calls us to rest because we are created in His image, and He knows what we need. Make time for a Sabbath and reflect on what a true day of rest looks like.
Am I still approaching God with curiosity and wonder?
Those who hold the title of pastor are often expected to know all of the answers to questions about God. Psalm 40:5 reads, “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”
Approaching God with a sense of wonder and curiosity draws us to Him. We can give Him the gift of not knowing—of realizing that there will always be more to learn about Him, regardless of how long we have been serving Him. If your walk still looks like it did 5 years ago, reflect on what you can do to approach God in new ways.
What disciplines do I have in place daily, weekly, monthly, and annually to draw close to the Father and experience His love?
As in any relationship, it is important to set aside time to love and learn about the other. It is no different with God. Do you set time aside each day to have a conversation with God? On a weekly basis, do you take more than a few minutes to engage with the Father? Perhaps on a monthly or quarterly basis, an entire day should be set aside to spend with God.
Create a rhythm to connect with Jesus in a personal pursuit outside of church planning. Prayer and Bible study are great ways to meet with the Father, but He can also be found in His creation through a walk or in physical activities like swimming or biking. Set aside time for God to meet you in those places. How can you position yourself to best hear from God?
Am I just working now, or am I loving?
Is my ministry a job, or is it pouring out God’s love on others? Have I delighted in the Father today? How many days has it been since I have been assured of God’s love for me? God’s love is the work, and anything that lasts will come out of His joy and His delight and His provision.
Love is the foundational element of discipling others and of being a disciple. Loving the Father and feeling His love returned is a key element of provision in the hard times.
When was the last time I told God I love him out loud?
Part of loving God is saying it audibly, out loud. “I love you, Jesus! Thank you for your provision.”
Make a declaration of your love for God numerous times throughout the day.
The work is important, but if we don’t take time to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary did (Luke 10:38-42), we will miss the mark on what it truly means to be a disciple.
A Gentle Challenge
If you are reading this, you have likely answered (or care about someone who has answered) the call to be a pastor. Now, will you continue to answer the call of being a disciple? The Father sends out an invitation to love and be loved in return – perhaps it is time to reflect and respond for your own personal pursuit.
