On Being a Pastor

A couple of days ago Tim Challies had a short post about some of Mark Driscoll's comments during a sermon he gave on the regulative principle (yes, you read that correctly).  Unlike other Mark Driscoll posts on Challies.com, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.  Why?  Because in the post Challies features an audio clip of Driscoll confessing his own failures as a pastor to his church, and he goes on to tell them that the counsel of C.J. Mahaney and John Piper has lead him to do so.  I don't mean to say that Piper and Mahaney said, "Confess your failures to your church, Mark."  Rather, the two older pastors lovingly told him the sorts of changes they'd like to see in his life and in the life of Mars Hill.  Driscoll responded with humility, repenting before the Mars Hill congregation.

I've always liked Mark Driscoll, but I have been put off by his manner on a number of occasions.  This is a refreshing look at a young pastor who is striving for godliness.  Mark Driscoll is a teachable man, which is more than I can say for a lot of younger Christians, myself included (and yes, I realize there are plenty of unteachable older Christians).

This event improved my opinion Driscoll, but more importantly it encouraged me about ministry in general.  I make it no secret that my future career is up in the air.   Will I be a professor?  Author?  Pastor?  All of the above? None of the above?  I am uncertain.  What I am certain of, however, is that in the past 'pastor' was lowest on the list.  I guess it's because my default understanding of ministry is more administrative; getting programs and volunteers in place and other such things.    Since I am B-A-D at administration, I'm not interested in making it my life's work.  The 'Driscoll-Mahaney-Piper' affair has made me remember what ministry is about:  being faithful to Christ.  THAT, my friends, is worth doing. Thanks to Driscoll et al I can approach the ministry I'm doing now with renewed strength and love, for Christ and the people I serve.

Maybe being a pastor ain't such a bad idea after all . . .