A bad hat, a good heart 

If you’re a Puritan, this picture might not scare you. If you lived in the 1650s, you might recognize this man whose name is Richard Baxter. He has a bad hat and a good heart and wrote an important book. 

 

It is not about a Reformed theology but about formation, primarily how people in a congregation become spiritually formed. The book is older than the United States, is still in print, and is centuries deep. It’s had that kind of impact. I’m not sure he still gets royalties, but his words still need to be heard, especially by mentors, leaders, and pastors. I’m really not cool with his hat.

 

He wrote to his congregation, “See that the work of saving grace be thoroughly wrought in your own souls.” Then, four riveting words: “Take heed to yourselves, lest you be void of that saving grace of God which you offer to others.”[i] 

 

Let this spiritual formation work start with you.

Baxter’s admonition is reminiscent of the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy, a young pastor/leader. Paul told Timothy, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).

 

“Practice what you preach” is another way to summarize the words. If you set out to be a mentor,  pastor, or teacher, don’t get wrapped up in the sound of your own voice or the shimmering rhetoric of your words—take heed to yourselves. There is a risk in becoming a mentor. You believe your own press releases or become enamored with people seeking you out. 

 

Humility is the number one quality for all who seek to become a presence for others or a voice to be heard. Here’s the startling thing: the word humility comes from a garden word, humus. It means “from the earth” or, most simply, “close to the grown” fertilized soil. In the 13th century, theologian Thomas Aquinas said, “The virtue of humility…consists in keeping oneself within one’s own bounds…” In humility, one doesn’t think too much of oneself, but neither too little. It’s an honest assessment of strengths, abilities, and giftedness given to you for the sake of others.

 

You might be surprised to hear Baxter’s list of those in special need of spiritual direction. They include the spiritually weak, those with a physical addiction, those with a spiritual addiction, and the strong. To all leaders, he says the same thing:  “Take heed to yourselves.”   

Remember four simple truths:

1. Who you are and what your gifts may be have been given to you by God.
2. God has a strong opinion about arrogance:  “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34).
3. Gratitude is your first response to all the ways God has gifted you. Give thanks. Jesus was willing to pour out his own power in what Paul called a kenosis, or self-emptying, because he knew the mission that awaited him.
4. As a mentor you also need a mentor. I encourage you to read A Mentoring Guide. It is available here on our website.

 

Practice:  Simply take heed to yourself.

 

 

[i] Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Ch 1.