As a pastor, I frequently feel inadequate. That I don’t measure up. That I am unqualified. On more than one occasion, I have asked God why he doesn’t tap someone else more gifted and competent to pick up the mantle. If you are a pastor, have you ever questioned your calling? Have you ever daydreamed of doing anything else?
At a recent conference with other church leaders, I had a sense of imposter syndrome. From the lobby conversations, other pastors seemed to have a more vibrant walk with Jesus, more theological acuity, a better grasp of pastoral care, or a deeper burden for evangelism. Like the Corinthians who were inclined to compare the ministries of Paul and Apollos, I found myself playing the comparison game. I confess that I was filled with jealousy, wishing I had the gifts of others (1 Cor. 3:1-4).
In 1 Corinthians 3:1-22, Paul corrects the tendency to ascribe inordinate influence to gospel ministers. He does so not by denying their necessity, but by reminding the church that God is the one “who gives the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7). Apollos and Paul are “servants” and “God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor. 3:5, 9). Pay particular attention to how Paul describes his ministry,
“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it” (1 Cor. 3:10).
Paul describes gospel ministry using the metaphor of temple construction. This provides a paradigm for pastoring. The pastor is a builder, a motif that underscores the reality that Christ gifts pastors with different skill sets for the construction of God’s temple. Just as the construction of a building requires multiple builders with varying expertise, pastoring the church requires a plurality of pastors with skills for building up the body of Christ.
The Construction Team for God’s Temple
Paul refers to himself as a “skilled master builder” (1 Cor. 3:10). Paul also says that he “laid a foundation…according to the grace of God given to” him (1 Cor. 3:10). In other words, Paul’s skills are gifts from God. He can’t take credit for them. Paul’s capacity, capability, and competence are a result of God’s grace. Paul is the chief builder in the construction of the church of God at Corinth, but the pastoral work also requires the skill and expertise of others, such as Apollos. The language of “master builder” implies a “team” (Vang, 1 Corinthians, 43). Just as a building site has a general contractor, or an architecture firm has a chief architect, in the ancient world a master builder oversaw a building project (Vang, 1 Corinthians, 43). Every builder, whether the chief craftsman or specialized builders, must “take care how he builds” (1 Cor. 3:10). In the same way, a pastor must exercise great care to ensure that the work performed is consistent with the gospel of Jesus.
I recently changed the faucet in my kitchen sink. When I reconnected the water supply, turned the valves, and heard the delightful sound of running water, I took pride in this household fix and felt a bit of relief. Why? Because I am not a handy person. I don’t have the skills or know-how for most simple home repairs. There is a reason why there are professionals in the trades. Imagine constructing a new home, and instead of hiring a general contractor to oversee the work of licensed professionals you turn to the neighbors with no experience and no background in home construction. It is safe to say the house would not be structurally sound.
The Pastor as a Builder
Pastor, your craft is a gift to build up the body of Christ—God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16). Whether teaching, caring, shepherding, or leading, God has gifted you for the purpose of building his church (c.f. Eph. 4:11-12). Over the past decade of pastoral ministry, several trusted friends and mentors have affirmed that God has given me the gift of teaching. I don’t say this to boast, just to acknowledge that I believe God has given me this gift. Others exhibit leadership fluency in ways that I can’t. Although I have struggled with envy, wishing I had sharper leadership skills or weightier influence, recognizing that these are divine gifts has helped me shift from a posture of resentment and envy to rest and enjoyment. Pastor, if you wish you had another’s ability or influence, recall the ability God has gifted you for the flourishing of his church.
Second, exercise your gift with wisdom and skill. Paul described himself as a “wise master builder,” and he called others to “take care how” they exercise their gifts in the church. What does it mean to exercise your gift wisely? Consider your specific gift and calling. For some, it may be teaching from the pulpit. Others may be called to labor in pastoral care. Maybe you are fluent in administration and leadership. To use a skill wisely is to pay attention to the people God has entrusted to your care and to use your spiritual skill set in a way that promotes the church’s flourishing.
Finally, just as Paul’s language of “master builder” implies the labor of others, to pastor well means that there needs to be more than one pastor. I recognize that most churches can’t have multiple paid pastors for financial reasons. However, even in a context where there is a solo shepherd, he can raise up others to do the work of ministry, such as pastoral care, administration, leadership, or preaching. A solo pastor must be a “master builder,” but he should not be so foolish as to pretend to be skilled in every facet of ministry. To pastor well requires ministry partnership. Brother, if you are a solo pastor, ask God to give you wisdom to invest in others who have a burning zeal for the gospel and a heart to shepherd. If you are a pastor of a large church with a large pastoral team, recognize that as a “master builder,” you need the gifts of other pastors to shepherd well. If Paul needed an Apollos, so do you.
As I have been reflecting on this idea of the pastor as builder, I have found this perspective encouraging and challenging. First, when we are tempted to look at other pastors who are more gifted—or perhaps just gifted differently—we must remember that our pastoral abilities are gifts. God gifts every pastor with unique gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. Rather than comparing ourselves to others and envying fellow ministry leaders, we should thank God for the way he has gifted us and seek to exercise these abilities with wisdom. Your unique pastoral gift and calling are needed. Whether you are called to preach to hundreds, or care for the brother or sister in need across the table, you are “God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor. 3:9). What a sacred calling it is.