Teaching and Pastoring

Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

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One of the things that impresses me and blesses me about Paul's tone of voice here is his obvious love for each church community. He is so good at blessing people, encouraging and building them up. He always takes time at the beginning of a letter to do this, and then goes on to teach the Truth. Paul has the dual gifting as teacher and pastor, coming along side individuals and communities as a shepherd in the pursuit of a life like Jesus.

Sometimes it is tempting to think that teaching and pastoring are the same gift. Certainly a teacher is helping to lead another person intellectually, and a pastor is teaching by example and influence, but these two personalities tend to break out in the church. Paul is unique to have both gifts so strongly knit together. This is my theory. A good teacher, like a professor, has the weakness of intellectualism and pride. He or she might, in moments of sin, think too highly of themselves. Pride breaks down the unity and community. It is possible to be theologically sound, and yet lack love - which is, of course, not so sound after all. On the flip side, a pastor might be good at building community and loving people, but lack the ability to clearly communicate the truth of the gospel. He or she might, in moments of confusion or distraction, deemphasize the pursuit of right thinking. So Paul is good at both, which isn't to say he didn't have his own weaknesses. A quick lesson to leaders is to emulate both qualities and self reflect on potential areas of weakness. If I am a teacher, do I allow my knowledge to puff up without building up? If I am a pastor, am I letting my fear of conflict get in the way of truth? The fact is, the truth will cause a church to become more unified and healthy, if not bigger. But the Word of God is like a double edged sword (even sharper actually), and sometimes the truth will seem to shrink community rather than grow it. But Love prunes us, otherwise it would not be Love.