He must not fear to stand out in front. Leaders who stand in front will become targets for the rabble, but that’s a small price to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the greatest work on the planet.
He must not fear a strong ministerial staff. Let him appreciate them and support them as they do their work, but he must make plain to them that he is in charge of them also. They are answerable to the pastor. Anything less than this—leaving each minister as a law unto himself—violates his calling, dishonors his Lord, fails the church and sets the staff up for trouble.
The pastor must not fear strong personalities within the congregation.
The pastor is responsible.
The pastor is charged.
The pastor is accountable.
Hebrews 13:17 says pastors will stand before the Lord and give account for the souls of their flock. If ministers reading that scripture find it frightening, they should. It is a fearsome thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).
Only the rebellious and unfaithful fear falling into God’s hands. The simple fact is we live “in those hands” and have our very being there. Surely, we decided years ago we can trust Him and so rest securely there for now, and for ever.
So, let us be faithful. And let us faithfully discharge the duties He has given us and live up to the calling with which we are called.
