Pastor, what ro
le does personal, one on one work play in your ministry and in the ministry of your church? Henry Drummond, contemporary and disciple of D.L Moody held that
preaching is not the most important work ministers do with souls. Far better, he argued, is personal work, for it is only at this level that a pastor detects diseases of the soul related to sin, anxiety, and so forth. (cited in A Passion for Souls, by Lyle Dorsett)
We could argue with Mr. Drummond, and I would disagree with him. I do believe that preaching is the most important work and task of ministers because in so doing, the pastor can do “soul work” for many at one time. However, pastors must endeavor to make certain that one-on-one work does take place in the ministry of the church.
Certainly, the pastor is not the only one who should engage in personal ministry, elders, deacons, and others should do this work as well, but because there are others to engage in the work does not mean that the pastor shouldn’t share the burden and blessing of one-on-one work.
In an age of professionalism and specialization, the role of teaching or lead (or in my case, senior) pastor permeates in many churches. Such titles lead many to believe that the primary task of teaching, preaching, and leading should be the only task of the pastor. “After all,” many will say, “I can’t minister personally to everyone.”
The statement is certainly true, you can’t minister personally to everyone, but you can personally minister to someone, or even several someone’s. Pastor, do not rob yourself and your church of the blessing that is to come when you get your hands into the personal soul-work of those inside and outside of your church.
Related book: The Trellis and The Vine
