Sustaining Courage for Weary Pastors
“Fearing people won’t solve your problems. Compromise for the sake of self-preservation only delays the inevitable. But humble obedience, no matter the cost, will exalt Christ and glorify God.”
Christ’s example described in Philippians 2:8 provides sustaining courage for pastors mired in the thickest of circumstances in their local churches.
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
man trekking on gray rocks in body of water at daytime
Humble obedience is the path to true, God-honouring success. As you consider your next steps, remember that fearing people won't solve your problems. Compromising for the sake of self-preservation only delays the inevitable and harms your soul. Instead, humble obedience, no matter the cost, will exalt Christ and glorify God.
A hostile and sometimes corrupt church can change, but it might require what seems like the end of your pastoral career. Yet, this 'career death' is often like the death of self, which leads to a richer life in Christ. This is a blessing disguised as an apparent failure.
So today, receive the courage and steadfastness that are yours in Christ. Let man-pleasing and self-preservation be put to death. New life will spring from the ashes of the false securities you burn. If many pastors do this, a reformation will begin in a thousand places - and Christ will be exalted.
What is required of you is probably not a Martin Luther moment but rather, many small refusals to capitulate and compromise that God will use to slowly change the trajectory of your church. Or he may set two trajectories in motion - one for you and one for the church - that lead to different places.
Let him do it. A family name is not more powerful than your simple obedience. The leverage of wealth and the threat of withholding cannot derail God’s good plans.
As for you, focus on Christlike obedience and in the end, you will discover that you cannot truly lose anything of eternal value.
Pastor, if you’re struggling today, feel free to get in touch.