A Familial Ministry Style

This morning I am reading from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV:

[11] "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, [12] encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."

The context in which Paul wrote these verses was related to their authority as Apostles and their time with the Thessalonians.  Paul was describing his love and care, and contrasting his ministry style from others, apparently. Where some chose to come all high and mighty in their authority and position, Paul came as a father loving his children. Additionally Paul worked hard to not be a burden on any he visited, as his team provided for themselves, during this part of his ministry.

This is one of the things I most appreciate about Paul, his humility in ministry.  He was one of the most prolific church planters and evangelists, and Apostles and yet he worked to provide for himself and his team.  He didn't lose sight of why he was ministering, nor did he allow his message to be influenced by human acceptance or need for money (see 1 Thess 2:1-6).  It is not that Paul wasn't grateful for the fellowship and care, and financial gifts from the churches, but he made himself non-reliant on such gifts and care.

Back to these verses, Paul is very paternal in his expression.  There is a strong sense that for Paul, each church, each group of people the Lord gave him to work with became special in his heart.  He was not the kind of man to come in and minister the word and move on without establishing relationships with the people of the church.  In the previous verses, he was describing how they share not only the Gospel, but their lives as well.  Paul apparently was all about relationships and real life.

I think this is one of the reasons Paul was so effective in ministry.  He allowed people to see who he really was and was willing to give of his time, energy, and own money to be with them. They came to understand his care, concern and character.  They saw his love for them and his example.  He encouraged those who needed encouragement, not out of duty but out of relationship.  He comforted those who needed comfort, and urged them all forward into God.  Again, all of this he did not for his own sake but for their sake.

I am encouraged this morning that Paul was first and foremost concerned about the people and the gospel.  I am encouraged by his integrity and pursuit of God.  I am encouraged by his relational focus and heart connections he established with the people he met.