Friday: Further Thought – Love-driven Ministry
Daily Lesson for Friday 28th of August 2026
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “The Message Heeded,” Pages 323–334, in The Acts of the Apostles.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are living proof of the tender care of God.”—Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 122.
“A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and comfort and peace. It is characterized by purity, tact, simplicity, and usefulness. It is controlled by that unselfish love that sanctifies the influence. It is full of Christ, and leaves a track of light wherever its possessor may go.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 122.
“The apostle Paul found it necessary to reprove wrong in the church, but he did not lose his self-control in reproving error. He anxiously explains the reason of his action. How carefully he wrought so as to leave the impression that he was a friend of the erring! He made them understand that it cost him pain to give them pain. He left the impression upon their minds that his interest was identified with theirs.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1094.
Discussion Questions
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When I was growing up on a dairy farm, we had a minister who would arrive for his pastoral visits at milking time. This wasn’t an accident or bad timing; he brought his gumboots! He would help with the milking, and the cleaning up afterwards, have a quick word of prayer and be on his way. Our minister was not what you would call a great theologian, but he was a wonderful pastor. Most of all, he was a human like the rest of us. If you cut him you, he would bleed.
When we read Paul’s epistles, it is helpful to remind ourselves that Paul exposes his humanity in his letters. His recognition as a theologian was yet to come. But it was during his pastorship that his theology developed. We look back at the life of Jesus and we find the same pattern. Jesus did not preach much theology but spent his time with sinners, and the sick.
When we choose our pastors today, do we choose them for their eloquence and theological knowledge, or do we check to see whether they wear gumboots? And just in case you think I am having a shot at the ministry, we are all in this together, ministering for Jesus. And is our ministry showing off our knowledge or do we wear gumboots?
“By this shall all men know …”
Hi people!
Yes I clearly recall the gumboots of Arthur Patrick. He called on us at bright waters when he accepted a call to pastor Avondale College church for one year. He shared his goal for that year… personal connection to every member of the church. Great scholar but warm and wonderful human being. Merle Chambers and I were a bit gobsmacked but highly appreciative.
Blessings.
Arthur Partrick was registrar at Avondale when I started lecturing there. He chose to do my class so he could learn how to use computers. He had two PhDs but was still humble enough to sit in an undergraduate class with first-year students and let them know he was willing to learn. Arthur was a farmer from Wauhope and took to ministry with his gumboots on. Many will remember his ministry with fondness. He served as our church pastor for about a year and also as a chaplain at the Sydney Adventist Hospital. When I need as exxample of a gentleman and scholar, Arthur Patrick is one of the first names I think of.
Many leaders, like Paul, experience anguish and anxiety that can create not only emotional weight but also spiritual confusion and stigma. Paul’s experience in Corinth, as recorded in 2 Corinthians, reveals how painful assumptions and opposition can deepen the suffering of those called to lead. He openly acknowledged that he had been “under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure” and even “despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9), showing that spiritual strength does not make a leader immune to sorrow, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion. He also spoke of the “sorrow” he experienced because of the church’s struggles and explained that he wrote to them “out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears” (2 Corinthians 2:4).
Despite all that Paul did not allow his pain to turn him against the people he served; instead, his suffering deepened his compassion and commitment to them. He chose forgiveness, reconciliation, prayer, and loving correction, demonstrating that genuine spiritual leadership is not pretending to have everything under control, but remaining faithful and compassionate even while carrying personal pain. His testimony reminds me that anxiety, sorrow, and moments of anguish can affect leaders who are expected to demonstrate confidence and spiritual strength, but God can use those very experiences to teach dependence upon Him, as Paul discovered: “we should not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9).
the second paragraph is deep..
I have always said in defense of Pastors that Pastors are people too. They are expected to be super human and to have it all together all the time. To which again I say, “Pastors are people too.” Who doesn’t like to receive a sincere compliment, a word of encouragement, or just a show of appreciation? We all do. The ministry can be a stressful, difficult, frustrating, lonely and discouraging experience. The level of burnout in ministry is high. Pastors need to know that someone has their back and are praying for them. They carry a load of burdens and have a target on their back.
Yet because of their position they are often set on pedestals. This is wrong and it can set them up to fall, fail, or burnout. If a pastor, elder, deacon, or any other leader in the church is doing it for their own need of ego stroking they are doing it for the wrong reason. The human element in ministry is an instrument, a tool, to be used by God for God’s glory, not our own. I can honestly say that it is a tremendous experience to be used of God to change a person’s eternal destiny. In those moments God gets the glory, but He shares with us the joy. When someone gives me a compliment I often graciously say; “thank you, but I was just the donkey that the Lord rode in on.”
Jesus still rides donkeys, and He can still make them speak. Hee haw!
Tim, as I studied today’s lesson, your words reminded me that rather than simply expecting my pastor to always be strong and have everything together, I need to pray for him and encourage him. I felt impressed to do just that—to pray for my pastor and send him a message of encouragement and appreciation.
Sometimes a simple word of encouragement can mean more than we realize. Our pastors need to know that we have their backs and are lifting them up in prayer.
I had a pastor who when I didn’t show up at the church for Sabbath, he would come to where I worked. I was an accountant at an auto parts store and when he came to see me, the boys would yell out “the pastor is here”. I knew he was there to see me. He has retired now. He became a leader at Walla Walla University, but has since retired.
Leadership integrity builds trust by aligning a leader’s actions with their message and preserving the gospel’s credibility. This integrity helps build lasting trust within congregations and protects leaders from unjust criticism. Also, Paul’s flexibility in ministry highlights the need to prioritize relational care over rigid routines, creating space for emotional healing and God’s guidance.
However, being open to change is necessary to meet a congregation’s needs and to support leaders in their burdens through prayer and practical help. Lastly, recognizing human limitations increases reliance on God’s power.
2 Corinthians gives us a very human picture of Christian leadership. Paul was courageous and deeply committed to truth, yet confronting sin was not easy for him. His love for the Corinthians made correction necessary, but that same love also made the pain of confrontation real.
Being a faithful leader therefore requires much more than courage. It requires wisdom, tact, patience, humility, discernment, and above all, love. Sometimes leaders must say things that people do not want to hear, knowing that they may be misunderstood, rejected, or even criticized for doing what is right.
So rather than making the work of our leaders harder through criticism, let us pray for them. Let us ask God to give them the courage to confront sin when necessary, the wisdom to know how and when to address it, the patience to work with difficult situations, and the love to keep seeking the restoration of those who are not walkingin the light.
Hi people…the message heeded…my parents gave me an original Alfred f.j.kranz Bible doctrines compilation with two screw fasteners… Australasian missionary college on front hardback cover. Inside is a bookplate that identifies Colin day as the owner. Don’t know who he is but used to study it in preparation for my then unknown life mission. Had two but one went missing in Brisbane Queensland. Thanks to Colin day. Does anyone know him? Or of him?
Reneanne Anderson
Jesus’ words, on Calvary, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” is a prime example of our Savior’s humility and others-oriented-ness.
I have, in recent years, been part of an actively engaged Grief Response team. I’m now left with the burning question: Do I, like the Father-of-Mercy, seek the comfort of even those responsible for orchestrating my suffering?
Are my prayers for the comfort of others – i.e. those on the opposite side of the vote – sufficiently fervent? 2Cor 1:3-7
God’s promises and saving power, as recorded in Romans 8:28 and 1Corinthians 1:30 hold true. He has made provision, through visions of our victory, for our just reward. May we accept His great empowerment and hope-renewing comfort, through Jesus Christ.
Praise God for this pure hope!
The lesson this week did run all over the place, as some of you have noted, but the comments about Paul’s humanity do resonate with me. I definitely pondered over question #4. I didn’t really think about Paul showing his human frailty in one verse along with his confidence in God in the next.
A lot of times at church we have trouble being real. This is not just true of people up front. It can be anyone. There’s nothing wrong with being joyful, but it can be discouraging. I think Paul shows us it’s okay to be a human who struggles and expresses that, but we can still have trust and faith in God.
Pure empathy: this is what makes a difference when pointing out others’ trespasses. As humans, we are all debtors to Christ; thus, it is the work of the Holy Spirit that allows anyone to send messages of change in love to others.