A church worker should play three roles in the ministry - mother, father and servant - shares Rev. Wang Zhongliang from a local church in Northeast China.
The pastor stated his opinion in his article published on his WeChat page, citing the ministry of Paul the Apostle. He points out that what the church lacks today is not theological doctrines or management models, but workers who are shepherds like Paul. Quoting Chapter 2 of the book Thessalonians, he claims that Paul has been a role model for the church today in nurturing.
1. Workers should fulfill the role of MOTHER in ministry
Paul showed how he nurtured and served the church with the heart of mother: "Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children. " (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
Rev. Wang believes that this indicates that a "mother always gives and cares." Paul gave his love for the church of Thessalonians.
2. Workers should take on the role of SERVANT in ministry
Sadly, some church leaders lose the heart of a servant, Rev. Wang sighs. However, Paul worked like a servant. "Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. " (1 Thessalonians 2:9)
He holds that since the Bible teaches slaves to obey their earthly masters (Ephesians 6:5), the ministry of servanthood should represent in obedience so that you're qualified to be a servant of Christ. "Servants should endure hardships and own the spirit of sacrifice without complaints. Many Christians who work for God with their hands grumble with their mouths, which should not be the attitude of a servant. " The article adds.
The pastor tells an experience that shocked him. One day, he went to attend a brother's wedding with a renowned church leader. When he walked out of a toilet, he saw the leader bending over. He went to the leader and found that the leader wiped his shoes.
3. Workers should play the role of FATHER in ministry
The third role for a church worker is a father. Paul called Timothy as "my dear son" (2 Timothy 1:2). "They had a loving relationship, who were the father and son in the spiritual relationship." Rev. Wang writes in his post, "But the church pastors today... are the enemies of workers for bad communication with them."
He adds that father has the heart of responsibility, acceptance and tolerance. "When the lost son changed his mind and returned, the heart of his father showed love, forgiveness and acceptance."
Translated by Karen Luo
