Well done, new pastor! You endured the trials of ordination and are poised to receive a call to serve in God’s kingdom. You are likely mapping out different sermon series, preparing to offer pastoral care, and planning discipleship initiatives.
You probably have clear notions about what you are called to do. Equally important is how you do it. Paul exhorted Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16). You need to be diligent to “preach the word, be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) as well as to “keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
How should you view yourself as a faithful minister? As a vessel in Jesus’ hand. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).
Paul viewed himself as a vessel “poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith” (Philippians 2:17). Everyday, remind yourself that you are merely a vessel in God’s hands for his glory, and only he can make you effective (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Keep vivid in your heart this mysterious tension: you are God’s chosen instrument, yet you are just a vessel. “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).
What do we know about the nature of vessels?
First, a vessel or conduit is established by another to serve the other’s purposes, not the vessel’s. You are using God’s gifts as his steward, and “it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy…” (1 Corinthians 4:2). You are not called to be successful or highly esteemed. You do not earn or deserve your ministry. Always maintain your wonder that Jesus would shepherd his people through you.
Why would he do this? To demonstrate that all the power comes from the Spirit, and all the glory must go to God. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Second, a vessel exists to carry something beyond itself. You are called to embody and speak truth and grace in Jesus’ likeness (John 1:14,17). Presumably, you are well-trained to deliver the truth. But how you do so is as important as what you say.
Minister at all times by grace, maintaining a keen sense of how Jesus suffered for your undeserving soul. Meditate on the lengths he went in his passion to purchase mercy for you. Constantly bow before the cross, preaching its wonder first to yourself and then to others (1 Corinthians 2:2). Make songs like Psalm 130 your theme.
Establish a devotional life and daily time in the Bible with Jesus so that you can be refreshed, renewed, and refocused by the Word of grace. Daily ask the Spirit to convict and save you from your self-righteousness, self-indulgence, self-sufficiency, self-protection, and self-promotion so that you can serve others as a cleansed vessel. Constantly seek to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) because you cannot give away what you do not have.
Use the doctrine of mercy to frame your relationships. “[The priest] can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weaknesses” (Hebrews 5:2). Use your experience of Jesus’ mercy to frame how you approach all your meetings.
Third, a vessel needs to be protected. Do not neglect the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18). Actively cultivate a group of wise counselors (Proverbs 24:6) who will impart wisdom and alternative perspectives. Ask others to challenge your thinking and help you practice collaborative, collegial ruling with your elders.
Know where you are vulnerable to sin, whether in the form of sex, money, power, or other temptations. Seek close confidants to encourage you and hold you accountable to holiness. Develop a reputation as a patient listener; most pastors I know talk too much (James 1:19).
If you are a vessel blessed with a family, do not sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry. Your primary congregation is the souls sitting around your dinner table. May they know that nothing in the world is more important to you than they are.
Finally, a vessel needs to be inspected periodically. You should desire transparent, humble leadership, so invite regular input from others. Ask your staff and session to give you feedback. You grow in your effectiveness by learning how you impact others, and engaging in honest dialogue with those who have your best interest in mind. These practices help you fine-tune your sweet spot in ministry, but they are a community endeavor, not a solo operation.
Lord willing, your entry into ministry has been accompanied by warm rounds of “well done” from professors and fellow elders. That is exactly how you need to finish, hearing the words of Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).
Mike Sharrett is a retired PCA pastor who currently serves as interim campus minister for Reformed University Fellowship at Liberty University.