Topic : Minister

I know you will apply hard to German, but do not forget the culture of the inner man-I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God's sword, His instrument-I trust, a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.

Robert Murray McCheyne, to a young ministerial student

I hold very stern opinions with regard to Christian men who have fallen into gross sin. I rejoice that they may be truly converted, and may be mingled with hope and caution received into the church; but I question, gravely question whether a man who has grossly sinned should be very readily restored to the pulpit. As John Angell James remarks, "When a preacher of righteousness has stood in the way of sinners, he should never again open his lips in the great congregation until his repentance is as notorious as his sin.? My belief is that we should be very slow to help back to the pulpit men, who having once been tried, have proved themselves to have too little grace to stand the crucial test of ministerial life.

Charles Spurgeon, quoted in Point Man, Steve Farrar, pp. 77-8

Ministry is a character profession. To put it bluntly, you can sleep around and still be a good brain surgeon. You can cheat on your mate and have little trouble continuing to practice law. Apparently, it is no problem to stay in politics and plagiarize. You can be a successful salesperson and cheat on your income tax. But you cannot do those things as a Christian or as a minister and continue enjoying the Lord's blessing. You must do right in order to have true integrity. If you can't come to terms with evil or break habits that continue to bring reproach to the name of Christ, please, do the Lord (and us in ministry) a favor and resign.

Chuck Swindoll, Rise and Shine, p. 198

A Lutheran newsletter has some tongue-in-cheek suggestions for church members unhappy with their pastor: 'simply send a copy of this letter to six other churches who are tired of their ministers. Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list. Add your name to the bottom of the list. In one week you will receive 16,436 ministers, and one of them should be a dandy. Have faith in this letter. One man broke the chain and got his old minister back.'

Source unknown

Four men of the cloth, taking a short breather from their heavy schedules, were on a park bench, chatting and enjoying an early spring day.

"You know, since all of us are such good friends,? said one, 'this might be a good time to discuss the problems that are disturbing us.? They all nodded in agreement.

"Well, I would like to share with you the fact that I drink to excess,? said one.

There was a gasp from the other three. Then another spoke up. 'since you were so honest, I'd like to say that my big problem is gambling. It's terrible, I know, but I can't quit. I've even been tempted to take money from the collection plate.'

Another gasp was heard, and the third clergyman spoke. "I'm really troubled, brothers, because I'm growing fond of a woman in my church-a married woman.'

More gasps. But the fourth man remained silent. After a few minutes the others coaxed him to open up. 'the fact is,? he said, "I just don't know how to tell you about my problem.'

"It's all right, brother. Your secret is safe with us.'

"Well, it's this way,? he said. "You see, I'm an incurable gossip.'

Arlene Quant, quoted by Alex Thien in Milwaukee Sentinel

Parishioners hard pressed for something to say to the clergy after the service have, according to one minister's friend said to him,

• "You always manage to find something to fill up the time.?
• "I don't care what they say, I like your sermons.?
• "If I'd known you were going to be good today I'd have brought a neighbor.?
• "Did you know there are 243 panes of glass in the windows"?
• "We shouldn't make you preach so often.?

Arthur Myers in Berkshire Sampler

So popular and effective was Campbell Morgan's ministry that he was given all kinds of offers from many different places and people. John Wanamaker, the great merchant of Philadelphia, offered to build Morgan a million dollar church if he would become its pastor. Morgan turned him down, something the wealthy Wanamaker was not accustomed to in his dealings with people.

"I am God's man,? said Morgan. "If I did that I would become John Wanamaker's man.?

The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 210