by Pastor Patrick Cho

Being a young pastor at a growing church, I am faced with a variety of challenges. Each week I am finding out with greater clarity – by experience – how difficult pastoral ministry can be. Each person brings a unique context and background so that even common problems have different nuances and interesting twists. No two counseling opportunities are the same. Some might say, “Ministry is easy. It’s the people that are difficult.” While that might be true to a certain degree, for the pastor, that also is the source of the irony. You do the ministry for the people.

I’ll never get over the words Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Paul couldn’t wait for that day when he would stand before the Lord and present the Thessalonians as his crown of exultation. His heart was with the people. Yes, they caused him great agony and anxiety – perhaps even more pain than all of his other suffering (cf. 2 Cor. 11:28). But his heart was with the people. He didn’t complain about the problems that people brought, but he lovingly shepherded them and sacrificially invested in them. They were his joy.

That is a sobering reminder of what ministry is about. That is why I do what I do. I know that over time there will be difficulties and the constant burden of carrying other people’s hurts and struggles. But I count it such a tremendous privilege and joy to be involved in people’s lives the way I get to. When a couple gets engaged to be married, I get to walk with them to prepare them for marriage. I oftentimes get to officiate their wedding and be involved in their lives in a way that no one else will. When a family has a child, I am oftentimes one of the first that gets to visit and play with the new kid. And even though at times it is difficult, it is a tremendous joy and honor to be asked to help shoulder the load of those who go through difficult trials.

As a pastor, I have had the joy of seeing people transformed through the ministry and teaching of the church. Honestly, nothing has encouraged me more than those who have told me that God saved them through one of my sermons. It is a blessing to hear from people that when they come to me for counseling, it is helpful and leads them the right way to change.

Our members oftentimes tell me they would rather not bother me with their problems because they know I am busy. Honestly, I have come to accept the fact that I will probably be busy until I die. But that doesn’t mean that I would rather not meet with people or help them with counseling and prayer. It can be tiring. It can be painful. It can even be discouraging at times. But ultimately, it is a privilege and honor to be called to this service.

So when people ask me if I am too busy to meet up, my typical response is, “I’m not too busy for you.” I don’t say this because it’s the right thing to say or because it’s my job. I really count it a blessing and joy to be able to serve people in the way that I do. When I hear pastors tell me, “Ministry would be easy if it weren’t for the people” or “How great would it be if all the people went away,” I sometimes think to myself that maybe they weren’t meant to be pastors. For the pastor, it is a sobering call to love people and to show them the love of Christ, but there is no greater joy.