Introduction

A Pastor’s life always speaks more than the words he utter on the pulpit. Hence the quest to become
a better pastor always ends up in the pastor himself since he alone could change his own life. Thus
it is apt for a lay minister or a student to look into the life of an experienced pastor to learn the
necessary lessons to do a better and effective ministry since the experiences of the veteran pastor
passed through, could guide the fresher in the right way. This paper is an attempt to analyze the
pastoral ministry and it’s various aspects to do it in a better and effective way by studying the life
of a senior pastor who have enough exposure and experience in the ministry of shepherding. The
study has been done by analyzing the responses from the veteran pastor to the questionnaire
prepared in advance, which deals and covers the ministry and life of a pastor. A well experienced
servant of God named Pastor Sunil Vettamala, center minister of Mundakayam center of Indian
Pentecostal Church of God, spent his precious time by sharing his 23 years of rich ministry
experiences as a pastor along with his suggestions for this study. Pastor’s responses have been
recorded fully and evaluations have been done based on that to reach at proper conclusions. The
pastor affirmed that the interview sections had been very useful for him, since it helped him to
evaluate his own ministry, so is the case of the theological students too, who aspires to serve God,
by shepherding His people, which makes this study relevant.

Background of Pastor Sunil Vettamala

Pastor Sunil Vettamala is a profound and well known personality among the pastors in Kerala.
And currently he is serving the kingdom of God as the center pastor of Mundakayam IPC center
and IPC state presbytery council member along with his responsibility as a pastor in the local IPC
church which is located Athirampuzha. He is the grandson of Pastor Philipose Vettamala, who is
one among early church fathers of Kerala Pentecostal movement. Pastor Sunil is serving God for
the past 23 years as a pastor in various churches of IPC, along with the other responsibilities and
proved his caliber through his long service. Pastor Sunil Vettamala is a passionate preacher and a
teacher as well and is being used by God in respective realms for the glory of God for the past two
decades. He serves the responsibility of editor of Christian Publication named ‘Seeyon Kahalam’
and he is the president of a spiritual gathering named Pastors Family fellowship too. His wife
named Sister Omega Sunil also is an active minister of God, who holds responsible position in the
IPC Sahodaree Samajam and a well-known preacher too. They are blessed with three daughters.
Currently pastor is staying at Athirampuzha and continuing his pastoral ministry for the past eight
years.

Verbatim
Jibin: Good Morning pastor, First of all let me thank you for accepting my request to conduct an
interview with you for my case study about Pastoral ministry as a part of academic requirement,
for the course of Pastoral theology for the M.Div program currently I am doing at IPC Theological
Seminary Kottayam. Shall we start with a word of prayer.

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Jibin: Prayer…

Jibin : Pastor I have to ask questions in various sections and I will ask one by one. Let me begin.
How do you maintain your physical heath? ls there is any health issues? Do you have any
medical insurance/ policy?
Pastor: I was not careful about my health until I turn 40, since I didn’t have any kind of health
issues until I cross 40. There after I started to take care of my body, now I do walk 3Kms every
day, after my morning prayer. Now I take dieting by controlling my food and maintaining eating
time. I didn’t take medical insurance policy until now. But according to my understanding servants
of God should take insurance policy, there is no wrong in that.

Jibin: Thank you Pastor, Let me ask second question. How do you make relationship with God
in daily life? In your busy schedule how much are you able to spend your personal time with
God
Pastor: Honestly saying, I really find some troubles in maintaining relationship with God because
of my busy schedule. Jesus selected his disciples to be with him too though they have to do other
ministry also. Though every servants of God have to do God’s work, but they ought to sit in the
presence of God. I mainly connect with God by reading Bible. There is Morning Prayer and
evening prayer in my home, and I separate sometime in night for my personal prayer too. As a
family I train my children by teaching them every day one chapter in Sunday school, and I ensure
that they study it regularly by asking questions regarding that. This also helps me to know more
about God. Comparing with other praying servants of God, I understand myself that, I need to
spend more time with God.

Jibin: Thank you pastor, let me ask next question. How did you deal with people to those who
came with several problems? Can you explain? Which time is ideal for that?
Pastor: Whenever people approaches me with their problems, I usually help them. But if I find
myself that I cannot handle those issues, I used to redirect people to another people those who are
expertise in those areas. For example recently one parent came to me and told that his child is not
showing interest in studying and going to schools. I advised the parent to meet a counsellor and
they met and it was successful. Sometimes I get compelled to say no to some issues, since I have
already been committed to another program. Any how I try my best to deal all those issues coming
to me.

Jibin: Ok. Shall we move to the next question. How do you maintain a good relationship with
church? As the neighbors come often to church just to see you/ spend time with you? Do the
church believer call you to come, come at times other than your personal visits?
Pastor: More than the usual visiting, I used to call people to enquire about their issues, especially
their health issues, medical treatment details etc. I used to visit my church families once within
two weeks. Concerning with the relationship with neighbors I used to visit their homes once in a

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month and I do maintain a good relationship with them. Though none of them are believers, they
didn’t make any problem until this. They used to invite me in their functions and used to avoid
functions which are against our faith convictions.

Jibin: It’s great pastor. Let me ask next question. How do you maintain a good relationship with
world?
Pastor: A pastor should be careful in maintaining a good relationship with the public servants.
Pastor should keep good relationship with at least the panchayath member wherever he does
ministry. Beyond that Pastor should keep good relationship panchayath president even MLA and
other public figures too. We could call them for prize distribution or similar events to keep a good
relationship with them and they will come with very enthusiasm too. I used to keep a good
relationship with all these people. I have good relationship with ettumanoor MLA Sri.Suresh
Kurup and he used to come to annual convention I conduct here and the address the people too. I
used to invite 100 people directly by meeting them personally those who are staying nearby. And
I try my best to keep public people also to be part of our meetings. And I have good relationship
with other politicians too. A pastor should keep relationship with the public servants since it will
be always helpful and an added advantage for our ministry.

Jibin: Thank you pastor, shall I go for the next question. Character of the pastor’s most
inevitable ingredient of pastor ministry? How do you evaluate this statement? Can you give
me certain suggestions?
Pastor: Yes it is. What I found commonly in pastors that they used to talk too much. If pastors
control their tongue it would be better. Episcopal churches keeps this. Most of our pastors don’t
know what to speak or not. We usually talk a lot. Next thing is that the servant of God should be
humble. And I try to keep both of these things very carefully. I try my best to honor people whom
I deal with especially elders. Sometimes I also have little bit anger, to my children, but I control
my anger my best especially my relationship with church members.

Jibin: Pastor can you explain how do you prepare the believers for the evangelism (some
practical ways)?
Pastor: The best thing we can do is that to bring those people who are working actively in the
mission field and make us hear our believers their testimony. People will understand more about
mission when they hear those testimonies. We need to preach about mission frequently. If result
is coming, people will be more interested.

Jibin: Pastor, Is it your church involve in evangelism ministry? If yes how? If no why? Which
are the certain ways that you are reaching out people?
Pastor: Brothers are less interested in doing ministry comparing with ladies. Although they come
for open air meetings, but they don’t come regularly for house visiting. But some sisters are very
interested in this matter, and they used to visit along with my wife and my mother. And they used

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to cover at least 40 houses per week. We used to conduct one open air meeting per week. Because
of our work, people are coming also. I used to conduct conventions every year, wherever I do
pastoral ministry. For the past 23 years, God enabled us to conduct 23 conventions, one per year
each year. But I believe that we need to adopt the new methods too for evangelistic ministry. We
need to utilize the contexts for sake of propagating gospel.

Jibin: Pastor can tell me about how do you developed evangelism ministries throughout your
pastoral ministry experience?
Pastor: Pastor should be updated. He should have great knowledge. I am collecting tracts and
keeping it with me and it helped to improve myself.

Jibin: Pastor, could you please say,How will you encourage people for vote and paying tax
and so on?
Pastor: Since I belong to IPC,, I understood that, my church members have the democratic
awareness. So they used to go for voting without any compulsion. But I didn’t emphasize about
paying taxes, but I used to preach about to be faithful which includes paying taxes too.

Jibin: Pastor, Do you think rich and poor/high caste and low caste/educated and non-
educated experience equality and justice in the church? Is there any issues based on these
issues?
Pastor: I believe in a castles society. But the reason behind this conflict in our churches is that, our
leaders itself promoting it directly or indirectly. The system still continues. The leaders should be
careful in sending the pastors to respective churches. The selection of pastor should not be based
on the social sensitivity of the church, but pastors should be chosen irrespective of their social
identity. Educated pastors should be preferred. The problem we face is that, our leaders are not
taking these things seriously or not taking actions.
Jibin : Can you explain about which are the elements you use to shepherd the believers ?
Pastor: Caring is the important thing in shepherding. Pastor should be available in each and every
thing. Believers should sense that pastors should be available in each and everything.

Jibin : Dear pastor, did any believers have gone too other churches? Became backsliders?
How did you deal with these situations?
Pastor: Some people have gone. All of them have their own issues. I tried to retain them back. But
failed. But I felt sorry that my fellow believers didn’t take that much interest in keeping them with
us.

Jibin: Can you tell me pastor ,as a teacher, in the church some practical ways to teach the
believers?

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Pastor: We should conduct bible classes in the churches. I used to teach in the Sunday meetings
also, beyond the preaching. In cottage meetings too I used to teach them. I teach them basic
doctrines and fundamentals of faith too, and I believe that they know it too.

Jibin: What is your opinion about all pastors should be a teacher? Why it is important to
teach in churches?
Pastor: Teaching is very essential, since we be the separated churches, our believers also needed
to be the part of God’s mission. Preaching will give them spiritual refreshment alone, but they
need to be taught well since they need to meet others too.

Jibin: Pastor, Is there a systematic planning or curriculum scripture to teach in youth

group/adult/and Sunday school?
Pastor: I agree with this. At least we need to prepare a curriculum for Bible classes in our churches.
The sad reality is that our pastors are also not well qualified. We need to think of it.
Jibin: Can you tell me about How do you select and train Sunday school teachers?

Pastor: Yes it is required, but it is practically impossible in small churches. Only availbale teachers
we could appoint as teachers. But the teacher should be qualified enough to teach children.

Jibin: I would like to hear about How do you handle the financial matters of your church? is
there a budget plan and register who manage it?
Pastor: Every financial matter is going well in my church and we do keep account details very
accurately and clearly. We do keep records for everything, for every financial transactions.
Committee including pastor deals also the financial matters. But it is better for pastor to be away
from all the financial matters, especially the churches under federation.
Jibin: can you explain How do you select the youth leader in your church?

Pastor: We select youth leaders during the PYPA annual day. What we do is that we do select
treasurer every year, and the president has to leave. The secretary will be promoted to president,
and the treasurer will be promoted as secretary. The left treasurer can come back in the next turn.
We do like this to maintain the experienced people in the youth groups. The selection of the new
person will be selected from the age between 17 and 45, and the most active person who having
the highest attendance in the PYPA meetings with the support of the committee will be selected
as the treasure.

Jibin: Could you please say How much time (average) that you really spend to speak with
your wife and children? Do your children share with you their problems in the school?
Pastor: I used talk with my children and I have an intimate relationship with them. I used to visit
to their schools. And I used to take enough time to talk with my wife too.
Jibin: Do you face criticisms from the church even after you have served them sincerely?

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Pastor: If the believers have kind of biased ideas and they have hidden agendas, in such cases there
will always be criticisms. And I faced some problems with youngsters too.
Jibin: Is there any doctrinal challenges raised in the church? How did you deal with it?
Pastor: Upto this time I never faced any challenges against doctrine.

Jibin: Pastor, how far your church hold on values that older people taught us and co-operate
with new ideas?
Pastor: According to me ideas are not coming new, but new methods are coming. The gospel which
is being preached is same for the past 2000 years. But we need to deliver it to the people in cover
of 2019, but not on an old one. What I saw commonly is that our pastors still hold on to the old
methods, but not willing to change themselves according to the changes happening within us. Our
Pentecostal churches still clings to the old traditions, especially in our church services. The
meetings should be led by the Spirit of the Lord, rather than the conventional format we follow.
We should be open to the see the new changes.
Jibin: When such kind of people come to your church like a LGBTQ, divorce people. How
will you handle those situation?
Pastor: According to me, transgenders should be welcomed to our churches, though our believers
may not have an open mind to accept them. Since they are also humans, transgender also need to
be accepted. I accepted divorced people too. We should find ways to include these people too, but
unfortunately people don’t have the heart to accept this people too.

Jibin: Is there any help of technologies introduced in the churches? (music, programming
computer)?
Pastor: We should be open to technologies and we should utilize the new technologies.

Jibin: Finally I want to hear some guidance from you pastor.

Pastor: Pastors should not reveal all his things to his believers. The pastors should not expect
anything from believers. Pastors should not express their emotions in the pulpit. We should keep
high ethics in our life. We should be slow in speaking. We should be aware of whom we are. I
mean that we always should think in our mind that, we are servants of God all the time. We should
act according to that. We should keep a preaching diary

Jibin: Thank you pastor for your responses and suggestions, and it was very blessing in my life
and useful too, since I learnt son many new things out of your experiences. Thank you for you
cooperation with me. Thank you.

Evaluation based on Verbatim

Since Pastor Sunil Vettamala belongs to the traditional orthodox Pentecost background and he
being the part of IPC church, most of his viewpoints seems to be influenced by all those factors.

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But he is open to the new changes without compromising the basic doctrines and values that a
common Pentecostal pastor hold on. He is a very disciplined person, having high moral and ethical
values and have a great passion towards God’s work. He is very systematic in whatever he does
and keeping a record of all those things he does and trying to implement too. More over he is a
man of faith and trusts God fully in every aspect of his life. He tries to balance every areas of his
life, without leaving anything missed out. He separates his time to respective responsibilities such
that he is successfully multitasking four responsibilities together without collapsing each other.
Pastor sincerely accepts his short comings and shows great enthusiasm in correcting himself and
in learning new things. He has a greater acceptance among his own believers and the believers in
the other congregation too, and keeps a good and intimate relationship with his non believers too.
Pastor always works very differently and does things in a systematic and straight forward way
which is very appreciable and quite exemplary too. Personally saying, though myself is neither
his church member nor an IPC member, but he considered me and showed great concern towards
me ad expressed his love towards as dearly loving brother in Christ. I had been welcomed and
hosted in his home with great joy and it was a great experience in my life to spend time with such
a great man of God and learn from him.

Conclusion
A pastor’s life should be an exemplary since it is a noble task which the word of God clearly
instructs. As I studies the life of Pastor Sunil Vettamala I found him as a good model, whom I
could see and learn lot of things. His richest ministry experiences helped me and this study was
beneficial for me in every aspect since I there are lot of good things in his life and ministry. The
greatest thing I found in him is that he is so humble and willing to accept his short comings too.
Since I have been stepping out into the ministry field this study helped to understand about myself
and where I need to be corrected and improved.