| The Glory of the Common Life |
Chapter 13 |
Page 7 |
The name minister means servant. He is his people’s servant for Jesus’ sake. The people of a true pastor do not begin to know how deeply and fully he lives for them, how devotedly he serves them, how tenderly he loves them. He never wearies of doing for them. There is a story of St. John, the beloved disciple, which illustrates the minister’s love for his people. A noble youth was once committed to him by his parents. St. John was obliged to go away on a long journey, and left his ward in the care of others. When he returned he was told that the youth had fallen into evil ways and had joined a band of robbers and had become their leader. St. John was filled with grief and self reproach. He hastened to the stronghold of the robbers’ band, seized the young man by the hand, kissed it, and calling him back home again to his old faith. Thus does the true minister love souls and seek to save them.
The minister is also a man of prayer, a man of mighty intercession. The ancient high priest carried the names of the twelve tribes on the twelve stones on his breastplate; the minister carries the names of his people in his heart. He prays for them, not as a congregation only, but as individuals, one by one. His church roll is his rosary. He is the personal friend of every member of his flock. He is the lifter up of those who faint or fall. He is an encourager, a strengthener. In all the world there is no opportunity for such service of others as the ministry affords.
No true hearted young man seeks for ease, for self indulgence, whatever his calling. There is nothing noble in such a life. Worthy men want an opportunity to give their life for men, as their Master did. They want an opportunity to be the friend of others, to do them good, to lead them upward. This is the highest life possible. They will find scope for such life in the ministry.
Page 7