Public Minister Research Paper

Luther in his own colorful way complained that some people in the ministry, “are better suited to be swineherds and keepers of dogs than guardians of souls and pastors.” All detailed instruction that one receives in seminary and the good advice received from mentors will prove little or nothing if the public minister is not a sincere Christian, and a faithful and an able worker. When thinking of natural abilities, acquired knowledge, practicality, and personality, public minsters cannot all be Paul or Luther, but can and ought to be filled with the same fervent love for Christ and for humanity with the same consciousness of the privilege and responsibility, which the Lord has placed upon them. I believe that a public minister of Jesus Christ
A public minister should be a sincere Christian, conscientiously serving the Lord and not merely performing duties in a mechanical fashion. I believe that Christian sincerity is an indispensable and essential ingredient of the pastoral office. The public minister’s motto ought to be, “For me to live is Christ,” not self, not fame or honor, not personal comfort and convenience, not money but Christ alone. Along with the quality of unselfishness comes humility. The pubic minister should rather command than demand respect from others. This is to say that dignity of the pastoral office is preserved not by a supercilious demeanor, but by a lowliness of mind and a humble behavior. In relations with others particularly the other sex the pastor should avoid even the suspicion that they have become too familiar with those whom they are called to serve. This means that one should always be mindful of how one interacts with others. A minister’s speech should be chaste and doubly careful in this respect. This means to preclude oneself from vulgar speech or words that may cause offence. A public minister ought to possess tact within one’s