What is a young pastor to do? Interview with Ross Murphy

A couple of weeks ago we posted a piece entitled 'what is a young pastor to do?' As a follow-up, and to introduce you to some of the speakers, past and present, from Resolve we thought we would ask them some questions around that theme. Today we hear from Ross Murphy.

Could you please describe for us your ministry setting and role?

Airdrie Baptist Church is situated in the very heart of the town centre. Airdrie itself is home to about 36.000 people and is located between Scotland's two big cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Our Church has a membership of 115 people and I've been pastor here for 7 months now and counting…

What was the thing that was most influential in confirming your call
to pastoral ministry?

The Church! The local Church and the Baptist Union both recognised a genuine call to pastoral ministry. This confirmed the 'inner call' that I had known personally.

What are the clear priorities and core convictions that you hope will
characterise your ministry?

I suppose the two core convictions I would wish to characterise my ministry would be would be, the authority of Scripture and the sovereignty of God. My main priority stemming from these convictions is to faithfully preach God's Word.

What has been the most significant encouragement in your time so far
in pastoral ministry?

I read a good quote from Luther the other day:

"A preacher must be both a soldier and a shepherd. He must nourish, defend, and teach; he must have teeth in his mouth, and be able to bite and to fight."
(TableTalk CCCC)

How we need courage to fight this good fight! I have been greatly 'en-couraged' by a real awareness of the presence of God in services and prayer meetings of late, and by the desire that the Fellowship have for truly biblical preaching.

In the moments where I do feel discouraged, the thing which keeps me fighting away is the sovereignty of God. If I did not believe in the absolute sovereignty of God, I would probably have fallen into despondency and resorted to a manipulative ministry already. I thank God that I know what it is to rest in the knowledge of his sovereignty.

How do you care for your soul and tend to the soul of your family?

This has been a greater challenge than I had anticipated. I try to have my own personal study times with a different bible (and translation) to the one I use for preaching \ visitation. This way I find it easier to focus on my own relationship with the Lord, rather than constantly looking for sermons to preach! I also try to listen to good preaching online, and keep in touch with guys who have similar theological convictions.

Myself and my wife are expecting our first baby soon, so I am also trying to prepare for the extra responsibilities that (s)he'll bring my way!

What has been the best advice you have received?

Fear only God.

How would you rate the training that you received for pastoral
ministry in spiritual terms, in practical terms?

I had an unusual journey into pastoral ministry in the Baptist Church. I was originally a candidate for ministry in the Church of Scotland, had a change of convictions and moved to the Baptist Church. I did my first 2 years 'training' at Glasgow University and my final 2 years at the Scottish Baptist College. So I should say given that I have only had half of the training for each denomination- my verdict may be a little unfair!

That said, I found Glasgow University of little use spiritually or practically, many men complete the course far less able to lead spiritually than they were when they embarked upon it. As a student at the Baptist College I felt like I was part of a small community of faith which was helpful preparation for pastoral ministry. I still had little knowledge of the practicalities of funerals \ weddings etc but friends and colleagues have helped me along!

What particular resources have benefitted you?

Three books which I'd highly recommend are:

Jesus Driven Ministry by Ajith Fernando
Brothers we are Not Professionals by John Piper
The Soul Winner by CH Spurgeon

Also listening to sermons by the likes of Piper at www.desiringgod.org has been really helpful.

How important have role-models been to you? Who has been particularly
used by God in your life?

I've never had someone I would consider a 'mentor', but I have friends in pastoral ministry who I consider to be good examples of what it is to be a faithful pastor. I have also been inspired, encouraged and informed heavily by the works of Spurgeon and John Piper.


What are the patterns that you discern in church culture that
encourage you or give you cause for concern?

On the positive side, (as a non-cessationist) I have been encouraged by the recent place that reformed theology has found within the charismatic community. Sam Storms book Convergence: Spiritual Journeys of a Charismatic Calvinist would be a helpful read for anyone interested in this.

However the news is not all good.. For many years the church has been plagued with a worrying lack of doctrinal awareness. I think much of the Church now seems to have moved towards a position of being openly hostile to any form of doctrinal conviction. Doctrine is perceived to be either irrelevant or divisive. I find this falsehood being forwarded in the most unlikely of places. Whilst there are few fellowships in Scotland that would see themselves as part of the 'Emerging Church' movement, the same underlying philosophy seems to be pervading many of our churches. If we do not believe we can really 'know the Truth' then we will not have any power to set people free, and will certainly not be faithful, fruitful, God-honouring churches.

Can you give us an example of: 'if I knew then what I know now...'

If I knew how rewarding this great work would be, I'd have been less inclined to have listened to all of the discouragers!