A Minister for Ministers

The fact that denominations are thinking about how they can provide spiritual, emotional and mental support to colleagues, especially in theologically mixed denominations, but not limited to them, is surely proof that those churches have failed lamentably to support Gospel ministers, because it has failed to embrace the purity of the Gospel.  I know that some denominations have considered appointing ministers who would be pastor pastorum to colleagues who are being persecuted for righteousness sake, IN and BY their congregations and denominations.  I also know that a church denomination that treats its ministers horrendously has decided against providing such needed pastoral support for those Gospel ministers who are being persecuted by their elders and members, as well as by colleagues. 
 

But the very fact that denominations have to seriously consider making such an appointment at all is evidence that something serious is wrong within those denominations.  Indeed, when you have elders who are notorious womanisers, those whose blasphemous language is frightening, whose mind and heart are as filthy as cesspools, is there any reason why major problems should not occur?  Rather, the question ought to be asked that, given this totally unsatisfactory and grossly offensive state of religious affairs, why this is not happening more frequently in many congregations!  How can such depraved people, many of whom hold office within the church, sit under faithful, applicatory Gospel preaching, without being convicted of their ungodly lifestyle?  Especially where the Gospel minister is setting forth God’s requirements for Christian faith and living is this most likely to happen; where it doesn’t, major questions must be asked as to what exactly is being preached in many congregations.  And if it is being preached, it is not being applied to the lives of their members.

But to return to my opening issue, the sad reality of many painful church situations is that they have failed so miserably that they need to put in place pastoral support for those ministers who need it.  The parity of the office of eldership where ministerial support ought to be forthcoming, has failed – principally because it is the elders who cause the most hurt and anguish to Gospel ministers!  This is a confession that no such support exists currently, and that even those who have a pastoral responsibility for colleagues do not know how to provide it. 

I would go further and affirm that a minister who is too closely linked to the establishment within the institution is unsuitable for this role.  Such a man would be vulnerable to the actions that such an establishment could, and would, take.   The candidate would have to be someone who exercises a healthy scepticism towards institutionalism and establishments, and who is not afraid, on behalf of beleaguered colleagues, to oppose the establishment, whatever ‘form’ it takes, tooth and nail, where necessary.  He would also need to be courageous and strong enough to oppose establishment people with the same determination. 

Further, such a pastoral support officer would be better placed if he were outwith the institution altogether, but with access to the relevant people, and information, where necessary.  Ministers of the Gospel need a champion who will fearlessly support them against all comers.  They need someone to whom they can turn in confidence and in the knowledge that they will be believed and taken seriously.  A minister’s wife who has ‘been there’ would also be an essential asset for the Manse family.

What a blessing it would be for many Manse families to know that there is a professional and confidential and sensitive and supportive and spiritually attuned service that they could access at any time for support and help.  Remember, only follow a wounded colonel!  For he has “been there, and done it.”