Part V. The Pastoral Work Of The Christian Ministry.
PART V. THE PASTORAL WORK OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY.
Let us not think, that all our work is done in the study and in the pulpit. Preaching—the grand lever of the Ministry—derives much of its power from connexion with the Pastoral work; and its too frequent disjunction from it is a main cause of our inefficiency.1408 The Pastor and Preacher combine to form the completeness of the sacred office, as expounded in our Ordination services and in Scriptural illustrations. How little can a stated appearance in public answer to the lowest sense of such terms as Shepherd, Watchman, Overseer, or Steward!—terms, which import not a mere general superintendence over the flock, charge, or household, but an acquaintance with their individual wants, and a distribution suitable to this occasion; without which, instead of “taking heed to the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made us overseers,” we can scarcely be said to “take the oversight of it” at all. This interesting relation cheers our toil with a new tide of spiritual affections, and exercises our Christian wisdom and faith in seeking an “open door” from the Lord, in prudently using opportunities for instruction, and in adapting our mode to the different classes of our people.
We shall now enter into some details of this most important subject.
308 VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY