In Philippians 3:17 Paul makes an altogether stunning command when he writes, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” What’s so stunning about that?

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says to imitate him as he imitates Christ, but Philippians 3:17 expands the to command by calling Christians to pay attention to anyone who walks according to the apostolic example in spirit and truth. Here then is a principle for life: wherever you see a life lived in the ­power of Christ, according to the word of Christ, for the glory of Christ, keep your eyes on that life.

I believe with all my heart that we are a people not only made to imitate, but also to admire—we are made to have heroes. The question is will your heroes or heroines lead you to deeper imitation of Jesus? It seems to me that one great unspoken labor of pastoral ministry is helping our people have godly heroes.

Helping Them Find Christ-Honoring Heroes

Over the last few years I’ve thought often how to best go about this work. So far, I’ve come up with four ordinary ways pastors and church leaders can shepherd unto appropriate, biblical imitation of heroes.

Devote your life to personal holiness . . . and so be worthy of imitation. I do think this is the place to start. The Bible seems to assume that pastors and elders will be worthy of imitation. 1 Peter 5:2-3 says, “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” The author to the Hebrews even commands it in 13:17, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Faithfulness in ministry thus means being worthy of imitation—being heroic.

Preach biographical sermons on mighty figures in church history. One reason why I love chursh history so much is that godly heroes saturate its pages and await imitation if we would but look. Most of our people probably wont’ peruse the centuries gone by for personal heroes, so you can help them by every so often preaching a biographical sermon. Piper has modeled this kind of preaching for years at the Desiring God Pastors Conference. One of our traditions at IDC is to preach a biographical sermon to conclude Missions Month each year. Lord willing, this weekend I will preach on the great Hudson Taylor and, who knows, maybe someone will find Taylor heroic and worthy of imitation.

Talk about your personal heroes. Be wise one where and when to do this, but it’s helpful for your church to know that you have heroes. Maybe it’s a quote in a sermon or just part of casual conversation, don’t underestimate how many church members might do further investigation on your own heroes.

Have some great books on godly heroes in your church’s bookstore. Grab Dallimore’s short biography of Spurgeon, Marsden’s short life of Edwards, or the diary of Brainerd or M’Cheyne and pray they will stir souls in your church. We’ve sold several different titles in Reformation Trust’s Long Line of Godly Men series at our church. They are short and cheap—two characteristics loved by church members.