The Pastor as Salesperson

Scripture Passage that Caught My attention Today: Luke 9:1-6 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. 5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Observation: Jesus sent the disciples out. They didn’t get to just hang out with him all the time.

Application: yesterday I was reading about how important the art of selling is in society. Everyone, in a sense, is selling something. They may or may not be very good at selling, but they are still selling. They are selling themselves, their abilities, their intellect, their compassion, and perhaps their goods and services. It’s just how the world works.

The disciples were sent out to sell. They were selling the kingdom of God and healing services. They didn’t get rich doing it. In fact, some time later they will lose their lives over the deals. But they were still selling.

I think pastors are salespeople too. Among other things, we are selling the belief that life with God is infinitely better than life without God, that life lived in Christ is infinitely better than a life lived outside of Christ.

We may or may not be very good at selling such things, and for a variety of reasons we might recoil at the comparison between ministry and sales, but it is the nature of our service. We are a sales-force of all sorts that has not only been called, but also sent.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make sure that the offer of you and all that you are is always on the table. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Ezra 4, Psalm 113 and Psalm 127, and Luke 9)