February 18, 2025 -- Cameron Cowburn
I’m going to begin this article by letting you all in on a big secret…
Are you ready for it?
Here it is: Pastoral ministry is difficult!
Alright, perhaps this isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s true nonetheless. We face challenges every week that test our resolve, our patience, and our knowledge. In particular, I believe this to be the case for pastors ministering in rural contexts. Such pastors tend to struggle both with lack of resources and lack of hands to do the work of ministry.
We all have unique personalities and challenges in our ministry; praise the Lord that he is able to use creatures such as us to minister to his people! However, our unique situations mean that we may also need unique counsel from time to time. In times of need, I’ve found the pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) to be a precious treasure.
While both Timothy and Titus were pastors entrusted with heavy responsibilities in the early church, Paul’s instructions and admonitions to each man give us some clues as to their unique personalities. Evidently, they were quite different in temperament. Timothy appears to have been more timid and needed encouragement, while Titus appears to have been more assertive. To use a rural colloquialism, perhaps Titus used the stick more than the carrot!
Based on that detail alone, do you think you relate more to Timothy or to Titus? Either way, these were men with unique personalities and struggles who needed encouragement from their elder and father in the faith— the Apostle Paul. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus reveal how he tailored his instructions and admonitions to fit their unique challenges, but at the same time, they are filled with timeless practical wisdom for both the ancient and the modern pastor. Whether you relate more to Timothy’s cautious nature or Titus’s bold leadership style, Paul’s words are for every minister of the gospel.
To Timothy
Though Paul extolled Timothy for his sincere faith (2 Tim. 1:5), Timothy was a young man who seemingly struggled with confidence and appears hesitant to confront difficult situations (1 Tim. 4:12). Paul exhorted Timothy to be a man of courage and endurance. Paul repeatedly urged Timothy to overcome fear: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline." (2 Tim. 1:7, LSB)
Pastors who relate to Timothy may find themselves doubting their abilities or avoiding
confrontation. If you struggle with fear or insecurity in ministry, remember that God has called you for this very purpose, he is an endless source of grace, and he strengthens us for our calling (2 Tim. 2:1)! Lean on him and his Word for strength and encouragement!
Paul also exhorts Timothy to stand firm against false teaching and to defend sound doctrine: “As I exhorted you when going to Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may command certain ones not to teach a different doctrine." (1 Tim. 1:3, LSB) Timothy, being more reserved, may have been reluctant to confront false teachers. Paul’s instruction was clear, however. Timothy needed to stand firm even when it was uncomfortable. At one point or another, all pastors are confronted with false teaching--such is the struggle of the church since its establishment. Truth must be protected, even when it requires difficult conversations. Therefore, we all must lean on God’s grace and be resolute in defending and preserving the biblical gospel against false teachings. These teachings threaten the sheep entrusted to our pastoral care! Let us stay faithful despite hardship, though it will certainly happen during a life of ministry: “Therefore do not be ashamed of either the witness about our Lord or me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God." (2 Tim. 1:8, LSB) Timothy needed to be reminded that hardship was part of the calling. Ministry is not easy. If you feel weary, remember that trials are part of the journey. Keep going, knowing God’s grace is sufficient to sustain you in your calling!
To Titus
Titus appears to be more assertive. Paul sent him to challenging places, like Crete, where false teaching and unrest were rampant (Titus 1:10-12). Titus needed less encouragement and more practical instruction on managing difficult people and establishing order.
Paul's first instruction to Titus was to emphasize the importance of strong and mature
leadership in churches: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you." (Titus 1:5) Whether you are surrounded by a plurality of elders in your church or you are carrying the burden of leadership on your own, the church needs strong, biblical leadership.
As with Timothy, Paul gave Titus similar advice to confront false teachers: “…reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith." (Titus 1:13, LSB) Perhaps you are naturally bold, but use that strength wisely and with humility! Being direct is necessary, but always let love and wisdom guide your leadership (Titus 3:2).
Finally, Paul reminded Titus that proper conduct must accompany his biblical teaching:
“In all things show yourself to be a model of good works, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in word which is irreproachable, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us." (Titus 2:7-8) While Timothy needed reassurance, Titus needed a reminder to balance authority with humility. A strong leader must also be a Christlike example. You may be a gifted natural leader--Praise the Lord!--but be sure to lead God’s people with integrity and humility.
Conclusion
In summary, Paul seems to focus more on strengthening Timothy’s resolve, instructing him to act decisively despite his youth and gentle nature. Paul often reminds him to stand firm, be courageous, and overcome a spirit of fear. Paul stresses firmness in dealing with false teachings, while also identifying the need for personal resilience. All of these exhortations serve to encourage Timothy to endure hardship as a “good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:3).
If you relate to Timothy, take courage! God has equipped you with the Holy Spirit, and his
grace is sufficient to sustain you in the work to which He has called you! Stand firm,
endure hardship, and labor on for the kingdom!
When addressing Titus, Paul’s focus is more on establishing solid leadership, sound doctrine, and proper standards of conduct within the church community. Paul instructed Titus to temper his confidence and strength with humility in leadership to get the church in order. Our churches need strong, yet gentle leaders who are grounded in the Word. Boldness is a gift, but it must be paired with Christlike character!
I’d like to leave you with an excerpt of Paul’s parting words to Timothy. Second Timothy was likely the last communication the two men ever had before Paul’s departure to be with the Lord. Regardless of personality, Paul’s final words to Timothy apply to every pastor:
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with
great patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves
teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth
and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the
work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Tim. 4:2-5, LSB)
Cameron stepped away from a career in medicine as a Physician Assistant and became the pastor of the Gold Church in 2020, and is currently furthering his studies at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He lives in rural Pennsylvania with his wife Heidi and their three young children. When he's not working on his pastoral duties and school work, Cameron spends his spare time golfing, hunting, playing guitar, spending time with his family, and indulging in his nerdiness with The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, etc.
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