The Great Value of Pastors

In China’s unregistered churches, the pastor’s job description often follows the ‘tentmaker’ model demonstrated by the Apostle Paul. Yet Paul could not have travelled and accomplished all he did without help. Nor did he. Paul received repeated contributions from the Philippians, food and lodging from those he stayed with on his travels and gifts from his supporters. In Romans 16, he acknowledged Phoebe and Gaius for their assistance both financially and with hospitality. Paul’s ministry was not like that of a ‘money preacher’ seeking profit from his ministry, but neither did he go entirely without remuneration. And when he wasn’t travelling he worked for his living. What a great example he set.

When Paul left his trusted co-worker Timothy behind in Ephesus in a pastor’s role, he charged him to preach the Word in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, encourage, with great patience and instruction. Timothy had the great privilege of being discipled by Paul, and you could say he had ‘on the job training’.

Yet Paul continued to disciple Timothy in letters after they parted. Timothy like all Christians, needed advice, teaching and encouragement so that both he, and those he ministered to, would continue to stay strong in their faith and grow. Paul encouraged him to “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.”

CCSM has recently begun working with a partner organisation that assists Chinese pastors. This Pastor Project identifies pastors who have a passion to spread the Gospel while at the same time building disciples of those they have already led to Christ. The pastors who are selected mostly live in remote rural areas caring for people in a 30 km radius from their homes.

These pastors lack access to resources and training both for themselves and for those under their care. So, the Project provides them with a comprehensive digital library of Christian material, all on a tiny micro SD card. This material covers all aspects of Christian growth and ministry, and has Bibles, video and podcasts, thousands of books and teaching for all ages.

But that is not all, the pastors are also provided with another valuable resource – time! Through supporter gifts the Pastor Project is able to subsidize pastor’s income, allowing them to reduce the hours they work. Even a few less hours a week gives them time to dig deeper into the Word, developing their grasp truth and knowledge and growing their faith, and their pastoring skills. This in turn is passed on to those in their care.

Like Paul, these pastors are not wanting a free ride. But they are anxious to tend and support the small churches they have planted. Living in poor areas they shepherd their flock on foot or by bicycle, travelling many kilometres between believer’s houses. Although it might sound romantic, the reality is that it requires time to travel by foot, especially when visiting a village 20km away. With a six day work week this is virtually impossible to maintain. The Pastor Project partners with them to bring their secular work back to part time, provides bicycles if needed and frees these pastors to use the gifts that God has given them to build up the body.

Prayer Points

Thank God for these willing workers in His kingdom.

Pray that they will be kept safe in their work and that He will encourage them.

Pray that they will be filled with His Spirit that they can grow in love, knowledge, wisdom and truth.

Pray that they will grow in the skills needed to pastor well.

Pray that the Lord will and be with them as they share his word in the villages.