Try tracing Paul’s route on a map – it is amazing just how far he travelled during the period described in these verses! In all these travels he had only one purpose in mind – to see how the young Christians were getting on and strengthen their faith. It is evident that Paul was not simply an evangelist. He was not a person who preached, founded churches, and then moved on to somewhere else, leaving the young believers to get on as best they could. He had a genuine care for their welfare and growth in the faith. He visited churches, wrote letters to them, and was in effect an itinerant Pastor. No wonder he later wrote to the Corinthians saying ‘Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.’ (2 Cor 11 v 28) There can be no doubting his commitment to the far-flung churches and his pastoral desire for their welfare.
It is this Pastoral heart that lies at the core of Christian ministry.
There has been a significant drift in the understanding of the Ministerial role in our generation. This has been away from the pastoral role towards a managerial or Chief Executive type of leadership. The Pastor has increasingly been seen as a Leader, preacher, organiser and planner. He/She chairs meetings, seeks involvement with community organisations, and makes appointments with any who are anxious to see him. It is a move away from caring for people into organising people and activities.
But in the end, none of this will prove effective unless there is love and concern for the welfare of believers, and a willingness to go to any lengths to strengthen them as individuals and encourage them in the faith.

For reflection: Churches need planners and organisers, but those who care for people are the real leaders!