There are moments in ministry when self-pity creeps in like an unwelcome visitor. The Devil whispers in our ears that perhaps our time and energy could be better spent elsewhere. At times, our words seem to bounce off the walls, and the fruit we long to see remains hidden from view. In these moments, worldly ambitions threaten my heart – thoughts of an easier or more comfortable vocation, greater status, or greener grass in other pastures. Yet it is precisely in these moments, when the calling feels heavy and the path unclear, that I need the Lord to renew my vision. I need to lift my eyes from the difficulties and disappointments and fix them once again on the profound privileges that God has graciously given me. So today I want to remind myself (and perhaps others) that there are profound blessings in pastoral ministry that I mustn’t neglect. Here are seven reasons why this calling remains one of the greatest privileges of my life.

1. The Privilege of Time to Study God’s Word

In what other vocation do you have such dedicated time to read, study, understand, and unpack the treasures of Scripture? This is surely one of the greatest blessings of pastoral ministry. There are days when I catch myself thinking, “I can’t believe I’m actually being paid to read and study God’s Word.” I mustn’t let this great joy and privilege be neglected or taken for granted. I get to spend my days reading and re-reading the Bible, wrestling with it, and unpacking the treasures of God’s Word. This immersion in Scripture is of immeasurable benefit to my own soul.

2. The Privilege of Preaching and Teaching

Not only do I get to study God’s Word, I get to preach and teach it. Whether preaching on a Sunday morning, preparing short devotionals before team meetings, ministering at hospital bedsides or gravesides, or in discipleship meetings, I have countless opportunities to share what I’ve learned from God’s Word for the building up of others. I’m writing this just after attending a funeral where the gospel of Jesus Christ was clearly proclaimed: that He alone is our Rescuer, the One who can deliver us safely to the wonderful destination of heaven. That message went out to a room packed full of people, many of whom aren’t yet saved. The privilege of being a herald of the true gospel, of infinite worth, is staggering. As the apostle Paul says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15). By God’s grace, I get to be His messenger.

3. Greater Opportunities for Sanctification

Becoming a pastor is, of course, by no means the only pathway to sanctification – many of the most godly men and women I know have never engaged in pastoral ministry. Conversely, and sadly, pastors can be woefully lacking in holiness. It is not an automatic ticket to a sanctified life. Yet if I allow it to, pastoral ministry offers an amazing opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). It is, if you like, an opportunity to wrestle with my sin on a daily basis. Why? Because I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I don’t want to preach a message to someone else that I haven’t first preached to my own heart. Pastoral ministry calls me to read, digest, and understand God’s Word, then allow it to shape my own life. To put my own sin to death, remove my own idols, and repent of them before I seek to counsel or preach to others. As Paul counsels those in ministry: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).

4. The Blessing of Comforting Others

The pastor who spoke at the funeral I attended today offered words of comfort from God’s Word. I’ve had this privilege many times: at hospital bedsides; at gravesides; in homes where someone is struggling with a painful diagnosis or chronic health condition; with people struggling with strained relationships with friends, family, spouses. In all these situations and more, God has given me the blessing of ministering His comforting word to others. It can be emotionally tiring, yes, but it is also a wonderful joy to show Christ’s love to people in their darkest hours.

5. Celebrating New Life in Christ

Whilst comforting those in pain is a blessing, the opportunity to celebrate with people at their highest moments is equally precious. One of the greatest joys is seeing people move from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). Let me give you just one example. Two years ago, almost to the day, a woman came onto one of our evangelistic courses. She believed in God but wasn’t sure about Jesus.  

“Why should I trust that He is God in the flesh?” she asked. “It doesn’t seem to make sense to me.”

Wonderfully, shortly after the course, while reading through John’s Gospel, she gave her life to Christ. I’ve watched her go from strength to strength. Soon she was coming to church regularly, bringing non-Christian friends with her. She’s now preparing for baptism and in the next two weeks will be going on a mission trip to Southeast Asia, where she’ll be sharing her faith and doing ministry. What an amazing story of hope and joy, and what a privilege to play just a small part in her conversion and discipleship.

6. Watching People Grow in Their Faith

Beyond conversion, there’s the profound joy of watching people mature in Christ. I can think of one young man in particular who was struggling with mental health challenges, some of which were related to his own spiritual struggles. Over the course of a couple of years, as I met up with him regularly, I had the privilege not only of getting to know him more deeply, but also of seeing him grow in his faith. Watching him develop confidence in the Lord, gain victory over sin, and conquer unhelpful thought patterns was a great privilege. These are the moments that make pastoral ministry profoundly worthwhile.

7. The Fellowship of a Team of Elders

Doing ministry completely alone is not only unbiblical, but unthinkable. I am so thankful to be part of a staff and eldership team. I really can’t overstate how valuable it is to share burdens with my fellow elders, to pray for one another, to encourage one another, and to have shared wisdom in the room. They bring their own insights and experience to the issues and problems facing the church (not to mention being able to have a laugh as well!). Being able to share the highs and lows with one another is not only a privilege, but it’s the way God has designed us: to have friendship and relationship with one another in the body of Christ.   
         My hope and prayer is that I wouldn’t lose sight of these joys, even when the path feels hard and the fruit seems hidden. As Paul says: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).