A Job Description Set In Stone

Dr. R. E. Baxter, former pastor

The aged prophet has just delivered a stinging rebuke. He was against the request that Israel had made to imitate their neighbours and have a king. But God had directed him to do as the people had asked. Samuel did as he was told, albeit reluctantly.

Now, after the fact, he reminds Israel that they have made a big mistake. Oddly enough, and despite the fact that Saul has just had a decisive victory against the Ammonites, the people realize what they hadn’t understood earlier—they had made a mistake.

We all make mistakes. Some are bigger than others and bring corresponding consequences.We often gloat a little (or a lot) when others get caught. We wiggle on the end of our own hook when we get caught, ably assisted by those who twist the line a little as they gloat over our mistakes.

We might have expected Samuel to gloat a little at a remorseful Israel, but he doesn’t.While he doesn’t excuse them, he does offer them words of encouragement (1 Samuel 12:20-25).

He tells them not to be afraid (vs. 20).
He encourages them to obey the Lord from here on in (vs. 20, 24)
He tells them to get rid of those things they have substituted for God (vs. 21).
He reminds them that God has a reputation to protect—His—and He will not abandon the people who bear that name (vs.22).
He promises to pray for them (vs. 23).
He promises to continue to teach them the truth (vs. 23).
He urges them to remember all the Lord has done for them (vs. 24).
He reminds them of the consequences of turning from the Lord (vs. 25).

Here we have, in a capsule, the duties of a spiritual leader. This tradition was handed down through the pages of Scripture and throughout the history of God’s people. Paul taught it to Timothy, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2, 5, NIV).

What for thousands of years has been the heart of the ministry and the work to which its leaders have been called, needs to continue to be the focus of our training institutions and the standard to which we hold our spiritual leaders.

This year marks our 90th anniversary as an established congregation. We are grateful to God for the pastors we have had who have held to the standard demonstrated to us by Samuel and taught to Timothy by Paul. Being a pastor is sometimes a thankless task. But then again, the faithful fulfillment of its mandate brings with it eternal reward. In the end that's all that counts.