It's one thing to be patience, but it's another thing to be "completely patient," which is the requirement of every pastor in fulfilling their vocation in often challenging circumstances.
In a post by Pastor CJ Mahaney on his blog, he explains that patience is not enough. It's the "complete patience" found in 2 Timothy 4:2 that pastors need, meaning that in order to lead a church and a congregation, pastors need to imbibe this quality to effectively counter the biggest temptations and frustrations that could distract them from their goal.
"If you don't cultivate patience with those you serve and lead, your irritation and frustration will eventually surface. It will become evident in the tone and content of your sermons, your counseling, your conversation after a Sunday meeting. And when you no longer have faith that God is working in your people, and instead find yourself frustrated with your people, your soul will become weary," he said.
In his post, Mahaney said that there are various challenges that pastors need to overcome. This may come in the form of a churchgoer who doesn't seem to grow from counseling, to a member of the church being overly critical of even the smallest things, and those who demand time even after the pastor has fulfilled his duties.
But if pastors let these frustrations get to them, they are in danger of getting derailed from their mission and their ministry. In noticing the signs though, pastors can curb the impulse before it hits. But the answer still lies in having a neverending well of patience.
"One of the early warning signs is increasing frustration with people—the absence of complete patience," he said.
For his part, Pastor John Keller agrees. He understands that patience is not something instantaneous and must be cultivated over time. He admits too that at times, he has been a slow and impatient learner. However, he has advice for those who are finding it difficult to find the necessary patience.
"Remind yourself, when you are impatient, that this is a brother or sister for whom Christ died, one who like you, is precious in the sight of God. Look at the eyes, the skin, the mouth, and listen to the voice, and remind yourself that this is the flesh that God took upon himself in Jesus. And so your gratitude to God is summoned up as a power of patience, and thus of love," he quoted Robert Roberts' 1984 book: "The Strengths of a Christian."
