This post is a compilation of my notes as I’ve prepared to give a short devotional for the Birmingham Theological Seminary board meeting. It occurs to me that the world has truly turned upside down when the marketing guy is giving a devotional to a group of pastors!
As I’ve been thinking about the dynamics of the coronavirus quarantine, I’m wondering if a pastor that’s been isolated from his congregation is like a business leader that’s been isolated from their team. Maybe we’re grappling with the same kinds of feelings, such as, “they need me in order to function,” “what if I’m not there to keep tabs on them?”
As a business leader, I have to trust that the training my team has received, the habits that I’ve worked hard to help form and the rhythms of life that we’ve been intentional about building in the office (or in the faith community) will “kick in” and help sustain them through the isolation of quarantine.
As I’ve thought of these parallels, one biblical situation keeps coming to mind where another pastor was isolated from his congregation, and while it’s not a perfect analogy by a long shot, I think there are some helpful insights that we can learn from and be encouraged by.
I’m of course referring to Paul’s letter to the Philippians, who wrote this letter from prison. Like us, his circumstances prohibited him from being able to consistently be with the church in Philippi and actively engage in fellowship and discipleship. So how did Paul handle the situation? For a guy who wrote the systematic theology book of Romans, he had a lot he could say to the Philippians, so it’s interesting to look at how he chooses to encourage them.
Listen to his introductory comments:
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:3-11)
Notice the pastoral tone of his letter and the warmth with which he yearns to encourage them! I’m sure many of you can identify with Paul’s sentiments.
As I read thorough Philippians from this perspective – that of a pastor who can’t be with his congregation – I think it’s noteworthy to observe how he chooses to encourage them.
Life a lifestyle consistent with the Gospel
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. (Phil 1:27)
Practice Humility
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Phil. 2:3)
Don’t Grumble or Complain
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:14-15)
Rejoice in the Lord
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. (Phil. 3:1)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Phil. 4:4)
Don’t be Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
Tune out the Noise
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:8-9)
Paul’s Confidence… God is at work!
I think it’s also instructive to look at Paul’s confidence in the Lord, that even though he’s absent, God’s spirit is very much at work in and among the Philippian christians.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Phil. 3:20)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)
Who are your Timothys?
I’d like to conclude with a challenge, one that you’ve probably already embraced. When Paul was imprisoned, he couldn’t be with his people and so he sent Epaphroditus and then Timothy. As you consider how to connect, minister to and encourage your own faith communities, who are your Timothys? Who are the Epaphroditus’ that you can mobilize to help amplify the love and peace of Christ?