If we became godly, we should let others become godly like you. Especially preachers must be godly before God so that the congregants can follow their pastor as a good example. Otherwise, even if he provides spiritual life, the congregation cannot accept it willingly, not being able to follow their pastor's godliness. Then, their time of souls in the future cannot be secured. I always urge the congregation to do their mission of God joyfully and blessedly before God with godliness and holiness. If they do not, they cannot live a godly faith life not being able to make good relationship with God. That will make my heart, seeing their struggles, be distressed as their senior pastor.
The greatest joy and delight for a pastor is the revival of the congregation’s souls. Likewise, God’s greatest delight comes from our soul's revival, which is why He sent His only Son and, to save humanity, let Him shed all His blood and die on the cross. The Son’s death was deeply sorrowful, but there is nothing more joyful to God than their souls be saved because of it.
Similarly, a pastor is willing to sacrifice his personal life for ministry. The salvation and spiritual growth of the congregation’s souls is his greatest joy and happiness.
During my ministry I have received several calls to larger churches that I refused decisively saying, "Even if we live in poverty, even if our children don't behave and cause trouble, I have never seen a parent give up their duties and leave children. Even if only one member of our church remains, I will protect that member to the end. A congregant is my spiritual child born of the gospel.” Even when children give worries their parents, parents love them and do not give them up but remain responsible. Just as God does not abandon us, the bond between a pastor and his congregations is something that can never be broken.
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #929
