“How is swimming in the ocean different than swimming in a pool?” It was my kids’ first time ever seeing the ocean. As I stared at the immensity of it, the dangers it presented flashed like a terrible powerpoint in my mind’s eye. I realized I had done a poor job preparing my kids for what they were about to experience. They had no concept of the dangers or the resources that would protect them from those dangers. I had not taught them how to successfully navigate the yellow and purple flags (moderate surf and potential jellyfish). This could have been the end of my family line.  

Ok, that may have been a little dramatic. Unfortunately, many young pastors relate to my kids in this scenario. They walk into ministry without any concept of the dangers or resources that would protect them from those dangers. This has a direct impact on their longevity and success in ministry. And a drastic impact on the long term health of the church. Thankfully, David provides a better example when he passes kingship to his son, Solomon.  

I Chronicles 23 begins the end for David. I Chronicles 23-27 details the organizational structure he establishes for the next king. He addresses leadership, hierarchy, and a job description for both religious and military systems. It then details those in David’s personal cabinet/household. Immediately after this we see David holding a ceremony in which he hands over leadership of the nation to Solomon. He also tasks all of these leaders, systems, and people to extend understanding to Solomon as he takes on this monumental task. 

There are two themes that jump out at me here as David is passing his authority to the next generation. First, organizational structure. Second, relational support. 

As ministers there seems to be various job descriptions for a pastor. One side of the pendulum posits a pastor’s main responsibility is organizational leadership. The pastor is a CEO of sorts providing decisive leadership and managing the organization. The other side of the pendulum emphasizes a pastor as a relational guru. In this model, a pastor’s main role is to manage and grow relationships. He should be constanty spending time with the people and someone everyone likes. Caring and charismatic above all else. David’s authority over the practices of worship permit us to utilize his example as a model for pastoral leadership. His actions provide insight into what exactly the job of pastor should entail both for ourselves and those who follow us.  

Psalms teaches us that David was a very emotional, passionate man. Relationships were definitely his forte. Yet, he understands how essential organization is to success. He is willing to identify and face his weaknesses in this area to ask for help. In the beginning of almost all of the discourses in I Chronicles 23-27 it states David created this structure along with other leaders. He found people he trusted who understood what needed to be done. He built strong relationships (strength) with people who could advise him well on organizational structure (weakness). He invited them to work alongside him in establishing the structure. Because of this, he is not one side of the above pendulum of structure and relationship, but is able to find a balance. A balance that doesn’t go against his nature (relational) but draws from it in a way that strengthens the weak spots (organizational). 

God’s calling on your life wasn’t to be a CEO. Nor was it to be the most popular person in the room. God’s call was intended to utilize your strengths (how he created you) and challenge your weaknesses for the purpose of shepherding His people. This requires balance – organizational and relational structure. 

I don’t know about you, but when I think about admitting my weakness and asking for help it is immediately followed by a sense of vulnerability. Asking for help means admitting I can’t do it all. That’s a hard pill to swallow, especially as a leader. Yet, as Christians first, it seems it should be second nature for us to admit that we need help. That is what repentance is at its core – admitting I need the help of a Savior. What a powerful message it would send to my people in both organization and relationship if I was willing to admit that I, like them, am only human. That even in my leadership I am willing to humble myself to bring glory to a great God. This requires following David’s example of being honest enough about my strengths and weaknesses to ask for help. 

It is important to note that all the work in creating these systems and structures was not just for David’s or the nation’s benefit. It was for Solomon’s. Everything David was doing here was with the next generation of leader in mind.  

It’s evident in these chapters that David did not just wake up and realize one day he was getting too old to be king. He had been working with and training Solomon for a while before this transition happened. David’s words to Solomon in chapter 28 are indicative of a personal journey they had been on together for a while. David knew Solomon’s strengths and weaknesses. He knew Solomon’s fears. And he believed wholeheartedly that God had chosen Solomon as king.  

In my informal interview for my first pastoral position, the Lead Pastor told me one of the expectations would be for me to train my replacement. This was obviously one of his practices. It spoke to how deeply he believed in the next generation of pastors. Not only that he would believe in me, but also that he would expect me to be developing those who would come after me. This, combined with David’s model, presented me with a challenge. 

There is a plethora of research regarding the shortage of pastors. My denomination has begun developing pipelines and training programs to address this deficit and support individuals who are called into ministry. But you and I both know no book, class, or program can fully prepare you for the monumental task of ministry. We are sending new/young ministers into the ocean of ministry without the resources needed to survive the dangers. In fact, one of the most powerful indicators of longevity in ministry is a mentor relationship with another pastor – especially in the beginning of ministry (Horner, 2024). This is what David provided to Solomon. And this is what God expects of you and I – a long view for the Kingdom. 

Thankfully, my children survived their first trip to the ocean. Although they decided it was not their favorite due to the moderate waves and jellyfish encounter (yes, we actually dealt with both). The Lord graciously filled the gaps in my parenting. And it is not too late for him to do the same in our pastoring.  

David’s example challenges us to balance organizational and relational structures in ministry. This means understanding your own strengths to lean on and weaknesses to grow in. Take a personality test. Reflect on what areas you most and least enjoy in ministry. Explore your spiritual gifts. Ask for feedback from trusted advisors. Be willing to admit your weaknesses and ask for help. 

David’s example challenges us to find this balance not for our own benefit, but so that we can pass on a healthy church to a healthy pastor. We are to walk with the next generation of pastors as they prepare to (and actually do) assume leadership. Our vision should extend beyond having a healthy church now. It should be training future leaders to ensure longevity of the Kingdom.  

I encourage you to pray and be intentional about who God may be placing in your life. Both those who’s purpose is to help you and those future ministers who God intends you to be helping. It’s never too late to build the Kingdom. 

Editor: Crystal lives in rural Missouri where she serves as Assistant Youth Pastor alongside her husband. She also works as a Counselor in a community behavioral health agency. She loves to nerd out about both the Bible and the brain. She also enjoys spending time with her family, sitting in the sun, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite dessert is a bowl of cereal. She would love to pray with you, encourage you, and/or speak at your event. You can reach her at crystal@tophannibal.com

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“Of all vocations, surely the gospel ministry is the one whose paradigm is most radically formed by the dynamics of godly mentorship.” 

Stephen Baldwin