“Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”
2 Timothy 1:13-14 NLT
This passage is an incredibly important passage to the style of ministry that a pastor should be participating in. It establishes a measuring rod by which is hose in ministry can walk with security through difficult passages, difficult times and difficult people. It’s checks and balances provide a necessary equilibrium to the human tendency to completely lean from one direction to another. For the overly affectionate, it commands adherence to truth. For the over admonishers, it commands a seasoning of love and hope. This sort of measured response to ministry is both a reflection of Christ’s ministry but also a blueprint for how we should conduct ourselves in general. Any other path of interaction seems to unduly weight the gospel down into no longer being effective for its purposes. Our responsibility is to find the appropriate middle ground that is both bold and meek in its authority. It is a constant process of trueing for the Pastor. He must always keep careful watch and discipline himself in his daily participation in the gospel he presents or he might mar it for those in his influence.
JOSH McGARY. COM 