It is sometimes thought that the only thing required of a minister is that he should be faithful. Since he is not in control of people’s response, he need not feel too responsible if his ministry is rejected or fails to produce much fruit in people’s lives—or so it is thought. Quite clearly, Paul did not share this sentiment. Here in his letter to the Thessalonians he states that his converts—because of their faithfulness and perseverance—are his hope, and the reason he can look forward to the coming of Christ with confidence and joy. Similarly, he regards the work of the Spirit in the Corinthians’ lives as the real attestation of his ministry: You yourselves are our letter of recommendation (2 Corinthians 3:2). The Philippians’ faithful obedience enables Paul to look forward to Christ’s return with confidence that his efforts will not have been in vain (Philippians 2:16). Negatively, Paul warns that if a minister’s work is consumed in the fire of judgment due to its poor quality, he himself may be saved but only as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:12–15). All of this should make every minister deeply concerned about the fruitfulness of his ministry in helping people to experience the transforming power of the Spirit.

This issue may be illustrated by the work of a doctor. Imagine a doctor who sees twenty patients a day, listening to their complaints, diagnosing their illnesses, and prescribing treatment. Imagine if only 10 percent of these patients are healed of their diseases; the remaining 90 percent continue to cough, experience ache in their muscles and joints, be too tired for work, and infect other people with their illnesses. If someone were to track these patients and work out the doctor’s success rate, he would surely conclude that something is amiss. Why is the doctor wasting so much time and money prescribing treatment that does not work? Why isn’t he making sure that the treatment is effective? Why doesn’t he adjust the treatment until it does work? Most of all, doesn’t he care for the patients who continue to suffer pain and discomfort?

This illustration can be applied to the work of the pastor. If he cares for his people, he cannot be content to see them just attending church week by week without experiencing the transforming power of the Spirit. He needs to be asking, Is each one of these people saved? Are they growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord? Are they gaining victory over sin and living lives that adorn the gospel of Christ? And if there is no such evidence of the Spirit’s work, careful inquiry needs to be made as to the cause of the problem. In short, the pastor cannot ignore the results—or the fruitlessness—of his work. As much as the chef is judged by the quality of his food, the cabinetmaker by the furniture he creates, the teacher by his students’ learning, and the doctor by the health of his patients, so the pastor is judged by the spiritual transformation of the people to whom he ministers.

This lesson can also be applied to Sunday school teachers, youth workers, Bible study leaders, and others who labour in the work of making disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ.