Balanced Pastoral Ministry - PowerPoint Presentation

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Balanced Pastoral Ministry

I. Balance is an important part of pastoral ministry.

A. Definitions

1. A state of being in equilibrium

2. Harmonious proportion

3. Counteracting influence Slide3

4. That which is needful to be added to one side or other to constitute equilibrium

5. An instrument for weighing (judging); the emblem of justice

“Balance implies a state in which no one part, element, factor or influence overweighs another or is out of its due proportion to the others. It therefore suggests a steadiness or well-being that is usually not outwardly evident until a disturbance occurs.” –WebsterSlide4

B. Balance is necessary in many areas.

1. The pastor’s

lifestyle

This includes such areas as:

Diet

Exercise Regimen

Personal Life (Balancing work and play)

Family Life (church and family in right proportion).Slide5

Social Life

Entertainment Life

Church LifeSlide6

2.

Doctrinal emphasis

There is a delicate balance that needs to be achieved in areas of doctrine:

Divine Sovereignty/Human Responsibility

Law/Grace

Faith/Works

Gifts of the Spirit/Fruit of the SpiritSlide7

Authority/Personal Freedom

Prosperity/Self-DenialSlide8

3. Pastoral

practice

Inreach/Outreach

Evangelism/Discipleship

Word/Spirit

Teaching/Preaching

Ministry to the down-and-outer/Ministry to the up-and-outer

Children’s Ministry/Elderly Ministry/Everything-in-between-MinistrySlide9

C. Maintaining balance involves maintaining the proper tension between

two extremes. Slide10

II. Balance is important in the way pastoral ministry is

expressed.

A. There are two extremes when it comes to how pastors relate to the church and the world.

B. Either extreme will produce negative fruit.

Key Verses: Psalm 85:10; 40:11; 89:14; Romans 11:22 Slide11

III. Jesus is the example of

perfect balance in ministry (John 1:14).

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

A. Jesus exemplified the kind, compassionate, forgiving minister of mercy

. Slide12

1. Jesus reached out to the

untouchable (Mark 1:40-41).

2. Jesus extended forgiveness to an adulteress (John 8:10-11).

3. Jesus was moved by compassion

for a bereaved widow (Luke 7:12-15).

4. Jesus freely ministered to the

demon possessed

(Mark 5:1-19).

5. Jesus disregarded His

personal need

and touched the sick (Mt. 14:12-14). Slide13

6. Jesus showed

genuine concern for natural needs of people (Mt. 15:32).

7. Jesus was moved by the need for shepherding a fainting and weak people (Mt 9:36).Slide14

B. Jesus, at the same time, exemplified the rebuking, correcting and cleansing

minister of justice (Luke 17:3).

1. Jesus rebuked cities and villages (Mt. 11:20-24).

2. Jesus rebuked

Pharisees (John 8:43-44; Mt. 15:7; 23:13-33).

3. Jesus

drove out

the money changers from the temple (John 2:13-17; Luke 19:45-46). Slide15

4. Jesus

corrected His own disciples (Mark 8:33; Luke 9:51-56; 24:25; Mark 16:14).

a. He rebuked Peter right in front of the rest of the disciples (Mark 8:33).

b. He called some skeptical followers

“O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe” (Luke 24:25).

c. He rebuked his disciples after his resurrection for their

hardness of heart

and unbelief (Mark 16:14).Slide16

5. Jesus rebuked

churches (Rev. 2:4-5; 2:14-16; 2:20-23; 3:1-3; 3:14-22).

Note: Credit is given to Rev. Richard C. Benjamin for this comparison in Jesus’ life and ministry. Slide17

IV. Pastors are to accurately reflect the balance found

in Jesus.

A. A pastor is to give his people a true picture of the Father (Rom. 11:22; Heb. 1:3).

B. A pastor is to be like Jesus

(Rom. 8:29).