In my experience, it was easier to have such teammates when I was an associate pastor on the staff of a large church. My staff colleagues and I truly shared in a Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy kind of relationship. When I became senior pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, though I had many ministry partners, especially many staff and elders, it was not as easy to forge deep, mutual relationships. I tended to be put up on a pedestal, a position I fear I enjoyed too much, at least some of the time.
The opening verse of 1 Thessalonians also challenges those of us who preach in our congregations to consider our patterns of language. When we talk about the ministry of the church, do we foster as sense of teamwork? Or, rather, do our words emphasize our personal authority and position as pastor? Does our way of speaking imply that the church is being led by a team of ministers, both staff and lay? Or do we tend to talk as if we are the most important leader of the church? The example of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy encourages us to speak in ways that emphasize the shared ministry of God's people. We'll see more of this as we continue our study of 1 Thessalonians.
The final point I'd like to make is that, though I have introduced this series as a master class with the Apostle Paul, it may well be better to see it as a class taught by the team of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. We have the privilege of learning, not just from a solitary apostle, but also from his ministry partners.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In