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A Letter to the Pastors

September 09, 2024 Ecclesiology

A Letter to the Pastors and Churches of Christ

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, to the pastors and the churches of Christ scattered throughout the world. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, and who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Beloved brothers, I write to you out of concern for the state of the ministry that God has entrusted into your hands. You are shepherds of His flock, caretakers of His people, and yet there are some among you who have forgotten the high calling to which you have been called. For it is not by your own merit that you have been set apart as leaders in the body of Christ, but by the grace of God, and to Him you will give an account of how you have stewarded this sacred trust. Some among you misunderstand your place and the gift that God has given you. You have been granted knowledge, authority, and influence, but these are not to be used for your own gain or personal pride. Yes, some of you have attained great learning and high degrees of education, but this alone is not what makes a faithful shepherd. The true measure of a pastor is not in the number of accolades he has received, but in the fruit of his ministry and the care he gives to the flock of God.

Many of you have sought after positions and titles, moving from church to church, congregation to congregation, in search of fulfillment. But fulfillment does not come from man’s approval or from finding the “perfect” place or congregation to serve. True fulfillment comes only from serving Christ faithfully wherever He has placed you. Consider, then, not how you may climb the ladder of success in the eyes of men, but how you may humble yourselves before the Lord, serving with sincerity and integrity, as those who will one day give an account to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).

Brothers, let us speak plainly about the labor that you have been called to. Preaching and teaching are not tasks to be taken lightly, but they are also not burdens so heavy that they cannot be carried with diligence and joy. It has come to my attention that some among you spend an excessive amount of time preparing your sermons and teachings, as though the work itself were an insurmountable task. But I tell you, if it is taking you so long to prepare the Word, perhaps you are not leaning on the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you ought.

For what does Scripture say? The Spirit will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). If you are diligent in your study and prayer, seeking the Lord’s wisdom, the message He desires for His people will come clearly and without delay. Do not think that long hours of preparation make you more holy or your message more profound. If the Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), then trust that He will give you what is needed in due time.

There is also concern that some have used the excuse of preparation to justify neglecting other aspects of ministry. But this should not be so. The apostles themselves said, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4), but they did not neglect the needs of the people. They appointed others to help with the daily tasks, yet they were always attentive to the flock. If you cannot prepare your sermon and teachings in a reasonable time, consider whether your priorities are rightly ordered.

Stewardship
Brothers, let us turn to a matter of great importance—the stewardship of the church’s resources and the responsibilities that come with leadership. It has been observed that in many congregations, a few families or individuals hold undue control over the direction and finances of the church. While it is true that those who contribute to the ministry deserve honor and gratitude, we must never allow the house of God to be ruled by the desires of a select few. The church belongs to Christ, and He alone is the Head (Colossians 1:18). The decisions of the church should reflect His will, not the whims of the wealthiest or most influential members.

Those who give generously to the church should do so out of a heart of worship, not out of a desire for power or control. And pastors, it is your duty to ensure that the resources of the church are used wisely and for the furtherance of the gospel, not for pet projects or personal gain. There must be accountability for how the funds are spent, and those in leadership must be transparent in their stewardship. Remember the words of the Lord, “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Moreover, do not surround yourselves with those who are merely comfortable for you to work with or who pose no challenge to your authority. Some among you have kept individuals on staff who contribute little to the ministry, yet they remain because they are not a threat to your leadership. This is not the way of Christ. If a person is not fit for the role they hold, it is better to release them and allow the church to flourish under the guidance of capable and faithful servants.

Concerning Outreach and the Mission of the Church
It is also of concern that many churches have become insular, focused inward rather than outward. The body of Christ is not called to remain behind closed doors, ministering only to those within. The Great Commission commands us to go out into all the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Yet, many of you have allowed your churches to become fortresses of comfort, where the needs of the lost and the broken are neglected in favor of maintaining the status quo.

Brothers, look around you. The fields are ripe for harvest, yet the laborers are few (Luke 10:2). Where is your zeal for the lost? Where is your passion for reaching the unreached? Do not allow the church to become a place where a few families or individuals dictate its direction while the work of evangelism and outreach is left undone. The gospel is not meant to be hidden under a basket but set on a hill for all to see (Matthew 5:14-16). Take the resources that have been entrusted to you and use them to expand the kingdom of God, not to build your own little kingdoms.

A Warning Against Doctrinal Error and Personal Agendas
There are also those among you who have allowed personal theological agendas to overshadow the true message of the gospel. You have taken secondary issues and made them the centerpiece of your teaching, leading the flock astray from the central truth of Christ crucified and risen. Beware, brothers, for this is a dangerous path. Paul warned against those who taught a different gospel, and even if an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to what we have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9).

If you have a personal conviction or interpretation of a passage, ensure that it is rooted in sound doctrine and not in your own pride or desire to be seen as wise. Do not allow your sermons to become platforms for your own pet projects or theological whims. If you are wrong, humble yourself and seek correction, for the truth is more important than your reputation. Remember, the Word of God is not for your personal use or manipulation but for the edification of the church.

The Proper Role of Pastors and Their Livelihood
Now, concerning the livelihood of pastors, I must speak frankly. While it is true that “the worker deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18), and those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14), it is also clear from the New Testament that pastors are not to be burdens on their congregations. Paul himself, though he had the right to be supported by the churches, chose to work with his hands so as not to burden anyone (1 Thessalonians 2:9).

Brothers, if you are able to support yourselves through work, do so. The church’s resources are to be used wisely and for the advancement of the kingdom, not to provide lavish salaries for those who could easily earn a living elsewhere. If you are taking a large salary from the church while contributing little in terms of labor, you are not serving the Lord but serving yourselves. Consider whether you are truly worthy of the wages you receive. The example of the apostles shows us that ministry and work are not mutually exclusive. Many of them worked with their hands while still preaching and teaching the gospel. If your ministry is not full-time in the sense that you are actively laboring for the kingdom day and night, consider reducing the financial burden you place on the church. You are not above working, and your position as a pastor does not entitle you to a life of comfort and ease.

Exhortation to Serve with Humility and Diligence
Brothers, I urge you to examine your hearts and your ministries. Are you truly serving the Lord with all diligence, or have you allowed pride, laziness, and personal agendas to creep in? The Lord sees all, and He knows the hearts of men. Do not deceive yourselves, thinking that you can hide your motives or actions from Him. Serve the Lord with fear and trembling, knowing that you will give an account for every word spoken and every action taken. Let your ministries be marked by humility, love, and a deep desire to see the lost come to Christ. Do not seek the approval of men, but seek the approval of God, who alone is the righteous judge. In your preaching and teaching, be faithful to the whole counsel of God’s Word, not just the parts that are comfortable or convenient. Do not shy away from difficult truths, but speak them in love, always seeking to build up the body of Christ.

A Final Word of Encouragement
Beloved brothers, the work of the ministry is not easy, but it is a great and noble calling. You have been entrusted with the care of God’s people, and there is no greater responsibility. Be faithful in this calling, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, guiding you in all wisdom and understanding, that you may serve Him faithfully until the day of His glorious return. To Him be the glory, both now and forever. Amen.
In Christ,
Paul

About me

These theological reflections represent my current understanding and thoughts. I recognize that my beliefs are always subject to change as I continue to study and grow in God’s holy and precious Word. As a fallible human being, I am capable of change, and my views may evolve over time. Therefore, the positions expressed in these musings and papers may not necessarily reflect my final stance.

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Tags: letter to the Church, Pastor, church leaders, Christian Growth

Chaplain WHITEHORN
I'm honored to serve as the State Prison Chaplain at Avon Park Correctional Institution. My journey into ministry was deeply shaped by my military experience as a Combat Veteran Sergeant and later as an Officer in the U.S. Army. Alongside my military career, I've pursued a lifelong passion for theology and scholarship, beginning with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Crichton College. I continued advanced studies at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, earned a Master of Divinity from Liberty University, and I'm currently completing my Ph.D., driven by a desire to understand and faithfully communicate God’s Word.

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