Portrait of a Preacher
Sarcasm is a crooked expression of self-pity and conceit,”
so writes John Stott in his book, The Preacher’s Portrait, p 90. This is a wonderful exposition on pastoral theology. As there are different facets to a preacher’s life and ministry, so Stott paints the portrait of preacher using biblical metaphor related to his life and ministry.
Earlier in his book, the author describes the preacher as a steward – one who is a trustee of his master’s goods and household. A steward’s task is faithful to his entrustment. Then Stott went on to paint another stroke on the canvas of a preacher’s portrait with the herald metaphor – one who is to declare boldly the Gospel of the King; the message or decree from the Sovereign. The herald has no right to change the message of the king so the preacher must be faithful to declare loyally the message of God’s word. Then followed by the witness metaphor which brings to mind the witness in the law court. The witness is to be truthful and must have personal experience of that which he is testifying to. In this case, the judge is the world, the one in the dock is Jesus Christ. The prosecution lawyer is none other than Satan himself. The judge already biased towards Christ will hear of the believer’s witness to the veracity of Christ’s claim to be Lord. The preacher thus has that task of testifying for the Lord with a personal and real knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The quotation stated at the onset of this blog, was given in the father metaphor. In this metaphor, the preacher’s relationship is familial in its essence. The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that though they have many instructors they only have one spiritual father. Paul was dealing with issue of choice that the church has – whether they want to have him come as a father with a whip – like the pedagogue carries when caring the master’s ward, or have him come as a father with tenderness. It’s their call, so to speak, 1 Cor 4:14. Paul also reiterated this paternal relationship with the Thessalonians when describing
The context of the quotation speaks of a preacher’s need to love his congregation as a father towards his children. Love defines how a preacher ought to treat his congregation – firstly, with understanding. In that setting, the preacher is to minister with a father understanding of his children. The author highlights the need for preachers to approach the ministry with understanding – of the people’s needs. the folks often come into the house of God with problems – personal, intellectual, moral, etc. The best way is for the preacher to know them through interaction. One means is that of personal visitation where the setting is more conducive for personal conversation.
Secondly, loving with a father’s gentleness. Regardless of how rough or strict a disciplinarian a father might be, there is always that gentleness towards his children. Gentleness of a father is expressed through that of realistic expectation. In other words, pastors must manage his expectation rightly as a father ought to do so with his children. It is foolishness, says Stott, to expect a child to have an adult decorum or level of maturity. Likewise, preachers must exercise awareness in this area. Just as sometimes a child may exhibit maturity beyond his age in perceiving certain concepts, the same child might just drive us up the wall with his childish antics {at this juncture, I am reminded of my relationship with my daughter!}.
A good point raised is that sarcasm is not a weapon that love will use to achieve its objective. In fact, Stott was right to say that sarcasm is actually a “crooked expression of self-pity and conceit.” How true that is! The key to effective pastoral ministry is to persevere, and not to lose patience or temper but to pray; also to learn not to resort to sarcasm but conduct as “… the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” (2 Tim 2:24-25). Not easy but through God’s grace, it shall and must be done.
