Minister

One of the central roles of a church leader is to protect the flock from false teaching. It is a responsibility to take seriously. However, without very deliberate thought it is easy to fall into one of two extremes.

Extreme 1 – Just Really Nice Shepherd. Your desire to be liked drives you to avoid any controversy and confrontation, leaving your preaching as a parade of niceness. I’ve heard plenty of this in my time. It is the kind of preaching that seems to skirt any issue that might offend. The desire is unity at all costs. I sense that where this kind of preaching prevails, it reflects a situation where Evangelical Christians are perceived to be irrelevant, unaware and standing for nothing. Let us not set that tone from the pulpit.

Extreme 2 – Angry Bashing Shepherd. Your desire to be right drives you to bash freely at every person, idea or stream of Christianity you disagree with. I remember sitting through a very painful retreat where the famous speaker seemed to take every opportunity to have a go at top Christian evangelists and ministry leaders. It was unhelpful for the immature believers confused by it all and would have been offensive to any unbelievers present. We must be aware of how we are perceived. Non-christians see us as very angry people who just can’t get along with each other. Let us not reinforce that from the pulpit.

Why do we fall into one extreme or the other? I think our personality will influence it. I think our culture will influence it (in my experience I see the English church often falling into the former extreme, whereas the North American church often tends toward the latter extreme – obviously there are exceptions in both cultures). I think fear drives both extremes – fear of any confrontation or discord on the one hand, and fear of not having all the answers in our personal theology and philosophy of ministry on the other. I think a lack of thought leaves us at one extreme or the other.

As preachers we must think carefully about our role as shepherds. Sheep want neither a nice shepherd too polite to offend the prowling mountain lion, nor an angry shepherd lashing out at every bush, shepherd or other sheep that crosses their path.

Non-preachers often don’t realize the roller-coaster of ministry. Due to the exacting nature of ministry – giving out, being buffeted spiritually, etc. – we are all prone to repeated discouragement. Today as you press on through another Sunday, take stock of the realities of ministry:

Discouragements are par for the course. A preacher facing discouragement is normal. One who claims to never get discouraged is a cause for concern. Remember that if you’re feeling down today, or tomorrow, so are hundreds, maybe thousands of other preachers around the globe. You are not alone.

God has gifted, prepared and used you. Look back and spiritually reminisce over those times when God’s gifts have been clear. Remember the blessing of training received, both formally and informally. Thank God for the example of past mentors, prayer partners, etc. Review your file of encouraging notes and emails.

Remember the standard. It is tempting to try to, or to feel pressured to, live up to the standards of someone else. Perhaps the previous pastor, or a famous preacher, or a personal ministry hero of yours. God wants each of us to trust Him and give the best that we can. Let others inspire, but not pressure.

Remember who to please. It is not possible to keep everyone happy all the time. You may preach sensitively and yet tread on toes nonetheless. We are not called to a ministry of plate spinning where each plate is the emotional happiness of each person around us. We are called to live a life of radical love for the Lord, where our desire is to please Him in what we do and why we do it.

What else would you add for the sake of fellow preachers who may be feeling discouraged today?