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# Show Them
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/show/
- Published: 2016-10-18T09:00:57.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:24:47.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: pastoring, #DashHouseCom, #wp

![161018](https://www.dashhouse.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/161018.jpg)

When I graduated from seminary 25 years ago, I had no business pastoring a church. Yet that’s what I did.

I had learned theology, and I had developed the beginnings of a pastoral theology. What I lacked, predictably, were role models. It was partly my fault: wisdom would dictate that a 24-year-old has no business becoming solo pastor of a church. But it’s not just that. There just weren’t that many examples of robust, gospel-centered ministry around.

I did okay, some times better than others. Eventually, though, I drifted. I began to drink from the waters of megachurch conferences and leadership books. I eventually began to read books that raised theological questions in my mind, but didn’t provide many answers. I didn’t get completely lost, but I had certainly drifted from my moorings.

And then I heard [Tim Keller](http://www.timothykeller.com/?ref=dashhouse.com).

Now, it’s not really about Tim Keller. It could have been any number of people. For the first time in a long time, I found someone who was theologically sound, pastorally effective, and rooted in the gospel.

Later on I met others. [Paul Martin](http://preacherthoughts.blogspot.ca/?ref=dashhouse.com), a pastor here in Toronto, models encouragement and a commitment to the basics. He’s one of the first solid church planters I met. [Ray Ortlund, Jr.](https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/rayortlund/?ref=dashhouse.com) models scholarship as a pastor, a deep desire for revival, a joyful anticipation of Sundays, and a “I can’t believe I get to pastor these people” attitude. [Scotty Smith](https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/scottysmith/?ref=dashhouse.com) models gospel-motivated authenticity and joy. And there are so many more.

My point isn’t that these people are great (although they are). It’s that I needed models. And so do you. It’s also that you may be a model yourself.

We don’t just need theology. We need to see theology *lived out*. We need to see, hear, and feel robust, effective, gospel-centered ministry if we’re going to have a chance of leading that kind of ministry ourselves.

We need your example. Who’s watching you? Please show them the way.

![Show Them](https://www.dashhouse.com/content/images/v7/dashhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/161018-1024x250-3.jpg)