3. A Cupbearer is a Spiritual Director

One of the roles filled by a ministry Cupbearer is that of being a spiritual director. This term is used with considerable reservation for two reasons. 

First, there is reservation because the word “director” can easily be misunderstood. In this context, it is not a director in terms of telling others where to go, stand, speak, enter, and exit, but more in the sense of providing directions, upon request, to help someone get where they are trying to go. The former meaning implies control and power over the participant, and the latter implies being a helper, a fully human resource walking in a relationship with another. Jesus’ own ministry with his followers involved time spent together, walking, eating, teaching, questioning, and praying, as well as challenging false ideas and sinful attitudes such as their constant quarrel over who was the greatest. 

Photo by Severin Höin on Unsplash

Secondly, “spiritual director” is used with reservation in that it is a term once only known to Catholic Monastics and New Age practitioners and often has been a departure from Biblical orthodoxy into an uncentered mysticism. However, in recent years, Protestants and Evangelicals are once again seeking to connect with the larger stream of the Christian tradition in ways to deepen their relationship with Christ and with the church at large.

As a spiritual director, a Cupbearer seeks to encourage pastors to continue their spiritual journey (in step with the Holy Spirit -- Gal. 5:16, 25) instead of settling for some high water mark they experienced in the past. Without forgetting what Jesus has done in the past, pastors should be challenged to stop depending on the way they have always done it and be open to experiencing the transforming love of Christ today. 

Synthesizing theological reading, with case studies from church history, affective spiritual practices, and Bible journaling, the Cupbearer as a spiritual director encourages a deepening of devotional life that is separate from their sermon preparation and other church work (Acts 20:27-28). Yet, taking a page from a humble glory pedagogy, a cupbearer begins by asking them where they feel like they need to grow and what kind of help they would like to do so. Here are a few scriptures that speak to this subject...

• 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.
• 2 Timothy 1:13-14 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
• 2 Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
• Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Do you have someone in your life that helps you in this way? Can you think of other verses that encourage us to be this for each other?