Yesterday I wrote (somewhat cynically) about why men become pastors. Alot of us become pastors for less than holy reasons. But the main question pastors need to ask is, “Why should I stay a pastor?”

When you start dating someone usually you don’t say, “I really like her because of what I can be for her.” No, we usually like the qualities about the other person that directly benefit us.

But when you get married you are making a commitment to do what is best for your spouse, for the rest of your life. You are not making a commitment to “the marriage,” you are making a commitment to do good to the other person, “as long as you both shall live.”

This must be the approach of the pastor as well. Maybe we got into ministry because of what it could be for us. Eventually, though, we need to make a commitment to ministry because of what it is — a commitment to the good of the congregation no matter what.

Pastoring a local church is like a marriage. We aren’t joined with perfect people — and they don’t have a perfect pastor — but when we are committed to each other a great beauty unfolds.

Does this not reflect Jesus commitment to his bride? Jesus’ commitment to his church was costly.  Giving eternal life to all those who trust in Him required Jesus to lay down his own interests and to take up ours.  And Jesus still suffers today for the good of the world; now through his followers.  And Jesus is calling to his leaders to forsake cohabitation with the church — commitment as long as the church meets their needs — and move on to covenant — a commitment to do what is best for the church “as long as you both shall live.”