1. James 1:19 (ESV)
  2. Application

Feeling the pastor's love

James 1:19 (ESV)

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

I would just simply remind the men, who do and will minister as preachers and pastors, that your congregations need to know that you love them [beloved brothers]. Calvin points out, if God's people know that you love them, then they are readily going to respond to your teaching. They must know, though, you love them by your demeanour, by your care, by being their pastor, not just by being their preacher. You should not be shut away in some study preparing sermons, attending to the affairs of the church, but moving among them. Yes, in their times of serious trial and affliction, moving among them as a pastor, doing that family visitation.1

Joseph A. Pipa