I would argue that the majority of local church pastors care deeply for the people they serve. Most have hopes and dreams for the church and desire for the church to reach as many people as they can with the Gospel. We have a lot of churches in Kingman. Our church prays for them weekly in our worship service. We recognize and appreciate the larger body of Christ in our community believing that every Gospel preaching church can reach people that may never come to our church. We are about serving in God’s kingdom and not trying to create our own little kingdom.
The early church pastors set a godly example for all of us to follow. In Philippians 2:19–30, Paul commended two faithful servants of Christ. These men were Timothy and Epaphroditus. What stands out about these men is not their fame or success but their faithful, Christ-like service. We can easily glean three traits of godly ministers from the description given to us in these verses. It is good for us to see these traits because we are in need of godly ministers as the first century church was.
The first trait or characteristic of a godly minister was a willingness to be sent. Timothy was ready to go wherever Paul sent him. Godly ministers do not cling to comfort or security but are available for Christ’s call. Stepping out on faith and going to a difficult place in the world means trusting God to guide and provide. In our day of comfort, it would be easy for someone to do a lot of research and try to figure out the best place to go that would offer the most potential success. But God has not called His ministers to success. He has called them to faithfulness.
The second trait of a godly minister is a genuine concern for God’s people. Paul compared the two men to the other so called ministers of his day who only sought their own interests. These false ministers were only concerned with their own needs, their own desires, and only looked at the church and its people as those who would serve their success. Paul’s description of Timothy shows that Timothy had the heart of Christ, caring deeply for the well-being of the Philippians. Godly ministers are not self-serving but sacrificial. They are willing to put in long hours in order to care for and love the flock entrusted to them.
Finally, the third trait of a godly minister is a readiness to take risks for the cause of the Gospel. Epaphroditus had risked his life to serve Paul and the church. True gospel ministry requires courage, endurance, and sometimes costly sacrifice for Christ’s kingdom. Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus all set an example following in the footsteps of Jesus who left eternal glory to seek and to save that which was lost.
Let me close with some application for all believers. Paul not only commended these men but also instructed the church to “Honor such men” (v. 29). Godly ministry is a gift from Christ to His church (Eph. 4:11–12). The way that a congregation honors godly ministers is by praying for them and encouraging them in their labor in preaching and shepherding. These godly ministers are Christ’s gifts to His church.
Joe Tolin pastors at the Kingman Presbyterian Church.
