Topical Bible: Ministers: should be Patient

◄ Ministers: should be Patient ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian tradition, patience is a virtue that is highly esteemed and is considered essential for those who serve as ministers. The role of a minister is multifaceted, involving teaching, shepherding, counseling, and leading a congregation. Patience is a critical attribute that enables ministers to fulfill these responsibilities effectively, reflecting the character of Christ and fostering a healthy spiritual environment.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous exhortations and examples that underscore the importance of patience in ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:24, the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy, a young pastor, on the qualities necessary for effective ministry: "And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and patient." . This passage highlights patience as a key characteristic of a servant of the Lord, emphasizing its role in teaching and interacting with others.

James 5:7-8 further encourages believers, including ministers, to exercise patience: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near." . This analogy of the farmer illustrates the necessity of patience in waiting for spiritual growth and maturity, both in oneself and in others.

The Example of Christ

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of patience. Throughout His earthly ministry, He demonstrated patience in dealing with His disciples, the crowds, and even His adversaries. In Matthew 17:17, Jesus expresses a moment of frustration with the lack of faith around Him, yet He continues to teach and guide His followers patiently. His patience is further exemplified in His interactions with Peter, who often misunderstood or acted impulsively, yet Jesus patiently corrected and restored him.

Practical Implications for Ministers

1. Teaching and Discipleship: Ministers are called to teach and disciple others, a process that requires patience as individuals grow and mature at different rates. Patience allows ministers to provide guidance without becoming discouraged by setbacks or slow progress.

2. Counseling and Pastoral Care: In providing pastoral care, ministers encounter individuals facing various life challenges. Patience is essential in listening, understanding, and offering support without rushing to judgment or solutions.

3. Conflict Resolution: Patience is crucial in resolving conflicts within the church community. It enables ministers to approach disagreements with a calm and understanding demeanor, seeking reconciliation and unity.

4. Endurance in Trials: Ministry often involves facing trials and opposition. Patience equips ministers to endure hardships, trusting in God's timing and purposes.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." . This passage indicates that patience is not merely a human effort but a result of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life. Ministers, therefore, are encouraged to rely on the Spirit to cultivate patience as they serve.

In summary, patience is an indispensable quality for ministers, enabling them to reflect Christ's character, effectively shepherd their congregations, and navigate the complexities of ministry with grace and perseverance.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 6:4
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Exhortation to Workers and Ministers
... The older ministers should encourage the young to do all they know of God's will
and to trust him to make his will plainer ... You should be patient under the ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xxiii exhortation to workers.htm

A Consecrated Ministry
... have that to do which will call for heroic effort and patient endurance ... Ministers
should have no engrossing interests aside from the great work of leading souls ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 34 a consecrated ministry.htm

The Brethren at Home.
... We will lead a virtuous, humble, gentle, sober, patient and pure life; and thereby ...
Church, they laid down the strict rule that all ministers should earn their ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the brethren at.htm

The Patient Teacher, and the Slow Scholars
... and that years, it may be, of patient work have ... the subjects of His sedulous toil,
should blurt out ... And here are we Christian ministers, talk"talk"talking ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the patient teacher and the.htm

How to Preach the Gospel.
... of the physician who should give medicine to his patient, and then give ... All ministers
should be revival ministers, and all preaching should be revival preaching ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xii how to preach.htm

Measures to Promote Revivals.
... have been held and dependence placed on ministers coming in ... Suppose a person who
was sick should call in a ... had been tried, nor what the patient could bear. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xiv measures to promote.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... and a good physician after every particular patient? ... do you call yourselves ministers
of the gospel, and ... eyes, that you had rather they should eternally perish ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature 2.htm

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... And how mildly governors should proceed in the ... Secondly, likewise ministers, in the
taxing sin and sinners ... gentle toward all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

Introduction
... The surgeon's bill is paid though the patient die ... Julian the Apostate robbed the
ministers, pretending conscience ... not pity the fire on God's altar should go out ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/1 introduction.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... This is like physic used in a desperate case and often it recovers the sick patient. ...
Ministers should be stars to give light, not clouds to obscure the truth. ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm