Dilbeck encourages ministry leaders to focus and persevere in chapel message

Focus is necessary in ministry because of eternal consequences, D. Hance Dilbeck Jr., president and chief executive officer of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, asserted in his April 7 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

In his introduction of Dilbeck, Adam W. Greenway, president of Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College, noted “everywhere Hance Dilbeck has gone Southern Baptists have recognized that there was an extraordinarily gifted individual amongst them and as he proved himself faithful,” resulting in “more opportunities to demonstrate that faithfulness.” 

“When a minister of the Gospel finishes well, it honors Christ and helps to advance the Gospel,” Dilbeck observed, directing the attention of the assembly to 1 Timothy 4:16 in which Paul exhorts Timothy: “Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Dilbeck explained this passage emphasizes the importance of ministers of the Word of God to maintain focus in their ministries. He said, “We can’t be weighed down by anything that is not essential,” noting that the essentials refer both to doctrine and to the ministers advancing that doctrine.   

“Pay careful attention to the Word,” Dilbeck warned. “If your ministry is not a ministry of the Word, then you’re not sowing any seeds, and you’ll be wholly unproductive.” 

In addition to focusing on doctrine, Dilbeck noted in this passage Paul also urges Timothy to pay careful attention to himself. 

Dilbeck emphasized the importance of ministers to pay attention their character, referencing Paul’s “qualification statement” for overseers of the church as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, noting the passage applies to Christians in all areas of ministry. He summed up this qualification statement as referring to “reputation and relationships,” and cautioned that “ruptured relationships at the core become rotten relationships that sour an entire ministry.” 

Noting the importance of “self-care” in ministry, Dilbeck said that ministers of the Gospel must pay careful attention “spiritually, emotionally, relationally.” 

Referring to ministry as a “long, hard race,” Dilbeck also observed Paul encouraged Timothy to persevere. He warned that ministry leaders should be prepared to live “under pressure, under the microscope, and under attack,” describing ministry as a “hostile environment” sometimes. He added that ministry leaders must guard their integrity and relationships because Satan aims to exploit ruptured relationships, corrupt integrity, and use pride against them.  

Dilbeck noted Paul used provocative language in this passage to alert those in ministry are dealing with the souls of people and handling the message of the Gospel. He said, “Our calling is a high calling, our burden is a heavy burden. We’re dealing with eternal matters that deserve our full attention. It should not be dealt with casually.”

Concluding his message, Dilbeck emphasized the importance of getting focused and staying focused in ministry, warning that “the souls of men depend on you.”

Dilbeck, who served as the chairman of the board of trustees at Southwestern Seminary, earned  Master of Divinity (1992) and Doctor of Ministry (2002) degrees and was named a 2021 distinguished alumnus of the institution. He previously served as the executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists and served as a pastor in Oklahoma churches for 30 years before beginning in his leadership role at GuideStone in 2021.

Dilbeck’s entire message can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.edu/live.