Basic idea: I suspect there’s a temptation for pastors to lean either too far toward imaging God’s transcendence (all they want to do is teach from on high) or too far toward imaging his immanence (all they want to do is visit and hand hold). But good pastors, like good parents, do both.

Example of Jesus: Jesus, the exemplar shepherd, demonstrates this best.

·        On the one hand, he taught with authority and cast out demons.

·        On the other hand, he knows his sheep, and they know his voice. He dwelt among them.

·        The very phrase “God-man” captures the simultaneous transcendence and immanence we see in the person of Jesus Christ.

Example of Paul:  Paul, as apostle, also demonstrate both the transcendent posture of authority and the immanent posture of empathy. Consider his charge to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. The immanent posture is clear.

·        Verse 18: You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time. Verse 19: he served with humility; he didn’t Lord it over them. He says he served with tears.

·        Even in his teaching, he didn’t just do it publicly. Verse 20 says he taught them privately going from house to house.

·        Verses 36-38: They all pray together, weep together, embrace, and kiss; and they escort him to the ship.

Yet the bringing-God’s-Word-authoritative posture of transcendence is evident as well:

·        Verse 20: I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that that was profitable.

·        Verse 21: testifying of repentance toward God and of faith in Christ.

·        Verse 24: testifying to the gospel of grace

·        Verse 25: proclaiming the kingdom.

·        Verses 26 and 27: he’s innocent of any man’s blood, because he has declared the whole counsel of God, like Ezekiel’s watchman.

Both are necessary for pastoring: It’s striking to me how much the imminent posture (being with your people) works together with the transcendent posture (teaching them God’s Word), which I think is captured together in Paul’s famous charge to elders in verse 28: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock.” How does he pay careful attention? Well, the following verses tell us that wolves will come and speak twisted things. In other words, paying careful attention seems to be about… teaching in a way that’s informed of the false voices speaking into the heads of the flock. Again, you must know the flock to teach them well.

Homework: Pastor/elder, spend some time considering what direction—transcendent or immanent—you more naturally lean in? Ask those you trust. Consider several practical steps you might take to compensate for your weaker area.

Next post: Transcendence and Immanence in Discipling