High expectations

This is a challenging time for leaders (see "Future leaders: Who will wear this shirt?" page 12 in the print edition). We have high expectations for those called into the office of ordained ministry. They are to be dynamic preachers, creative teachers, trustworthy counselors and gifted administrators who are spiritually mature servant leaders with engaging personalities. Yet a pastor’s primary call is to be a servant of the gospel. The pastor is called to proclaim the powerful, life-changing promise that we are saved by God’s grace through faith for Jesus’ sake through word and sacrament.

Those called into pastoral leadership must be nourished regularly with the living word of God’s grace and mercy they are called to proclaim to others. If they are not also nourished by the means of grace, their energies will be depleted and they will become famished.