WHY PASTORS SHOULD LEAD WITH LOVE RATHER THAN FEAR

 Posted at Reformation Scotland:

Although the church in general currently has little influence in wider society, this does not eliminate the problem of ministers and pastors striving for power and influence within their own smaller circles. Sometimes there is seeking for pre-eminence among their brother ministers, sometimes it is a domineering attitude towards the people in the pews. Although this may go hand in hand with sound doctrine and other forms of usefulness, it is the opposite of the spirit of meekness and gentleness which the Lord Jesus Christ models for His servants. As Thomas Manton pointed out in one of his sermons, pastors should lead by light and love, not with force and fear. In the following extract from a sermon on 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, Manton diagnoses the basic problem as lack of Christ-like humility and sounds the warning that pride in the church is the defining characteristic of what it means to be anti-Christ.

HUMILITY MAKES MINISTERS CHRIST-LIKE

That which is most remarkable in Christ, and should be in all his followers, is humility. He expressed a wonderful contempt of the riches and greatness of the world, and all the honour which is of man, taking the form of a servant, and making Himself of no reputation, and living a mean, inferior life. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 9:28). He kept no state, nor affected pomp of attendants. Though He was Lord of all, yet He became poor, to make us rich (2 Cor. 8:9).

But even if this was appropriate for Him, does He also expect it from His servants and officers in the church? Yes. This is the grace He has recommended to all his followers: Mat. 11:29, “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly” (Matt. 11:29). But especially He recommends it to the ministers of the gospel. Because our Lord foresaw what spirit would work in them, therefore He forewarned them of pride and lordliness: Mat. 20:25, 26, “Ye know that the princes of the earth do exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them; but it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister” (Matt. 20:25–26). Among Christ’s servants, he that is chief must be chief in service, even as a servant to all: “He that is chief, as he that doth serve” (Luke 22:26).

Domination, greatness, principality and power, is allowed in the civil state, for there it is necessary, yet it is excluded in the church. This pretentious taking on of pre-eminence and chiefness is the bane of the church — it is taxed as a great sin in Diotrephes (3 John 9) — whether it is pre-eminence either over their fellow-labourers, or the people of the Lord.

You see how tender the apostles were in this point. Everywhere they disclaim this affectation of lordship: “Not that we are lords of your faith, but helpers of your joy” (2 Cor. 1:24). Peter says to his fellow-elders, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3). And if the apostles would not assume lordship, who may?

It is true, there is a government in the church, and the people are to obey their guides (Heb 13:17), and to “have them highly in honour, for their works’ sake” (1 Thess 5:13), but yet the pastors of the church should govern by light and love, not by pomp and force, and not be known by such pomp and authority as begets fear.

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