If you have pastored a single congregation for any length of time, then you know how difficult it can be to shepherd those who disagree with you. The first few months of ministry at a new location are similar to a new happy marriage. But soon after the honeymoon phase has ended, opposition soon arises. Opposition to a theological system, to necessary change, and some are just opposing by nature. So, what do we do?

Opposition to Theology

During my time in ministry, I have found that people view theology in various ways. Some love it, others are bored with it, and some do not seem to care either way. Whether you are preaching on God’s election, end times, or covenant theology, there will always be those who grumble against ‘boring lectures.’

My advice is to persist. As a shepherd, you know what your sheep need. It is not because you have some ability that others do not, but rather, it is because we have been instructed, from Scripture, on how to best provide for those under our care. As a father, I know what my children need for breakfast. They need a hearty and healthy meal. Of course, they want cookies instead. But I must persist in making sure that my children are sufficiently nourished. The same can be said about the pastorate.

J.I. Packer once said, “Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ’s sheep.” So, we persist in doctrine because, by doctrine, the church is formed, the people grow, and sinners are converted.

There is a temptation that needs to be battled. We must not, on the one hand, give way to those who grumble at our preaching and leave doctrine behind. On the other hand, we must not leave behind those who grumble. The church is like a mixed bag of nuts; we do not have the liberty to choose those that we ‘like’ best. If those who oppose us are genuinely converted, then we must take special care to disciple them as a weaker brother or sister.

Opposition to Practice

Change never comes easy, but it is certainly necessary at times. There will be those from among the congregation who oppose, let me say, a plurality of elders. There will be those who oppose the regulative principle of worship. There will be those who oppose biblical church government and polity.

Again, what do I do? I know what the Bible says, and if I do not do it, will my church be in sin? For instance, I know that the Bible mentions elders in the plural. I know that Paul tells Titus to appoint elders in every town (town church). Am I disobedient if I do not do this? These are questions that I have struggled with, but I have found a couple of principles helpful. 

First, never rush to change. If you are like me, then you are zealous to make things’ perfect.’ But we must remember that what God has called us to is faithfulness, not perfection. Sometimes, persistent faithfulness yields a slow harvest.

Think of a farmer planting a field. A field must first be acquired. Then it must be tilled and seeded. Then, the rains must come, and finally, after months of labor and waiting, the harvest comes. You are the pastor God has providentially placed over your people. However, it takes time in any new setting for you to gain trust. Relationships need to develop. Faithful preaching will till the soil of your people’s hearts and fill it with seed. The rain of God’s Spirit will work in those hearts to bear fruit. You are called to be faithful in preaching and teaching.

Second, do not try to appoint what you do not have. Consider the example from above regarding elders. Is my church in sin for not having a plurality of elders? No. Especially if none are qualified to serve as elders. Never, and please hear me; never sacrifice character for the sake of filling a void in church officers. Part of faithfulness to Scripture is that we practice what we have preached. Therefore, we cannot preach about what a church is to be like and appoint unqualified persons to roles for name’s sake.  So, do not rush change, be patient, and be faithful in both word and practice.

Jesus As Our Example

Compassion

In the garden, Jesus prayed to the Father that the cup of His wrath may be taken from Him. Of course, He prayed to do whatever the will of the Father is. After praying in agony, he comes back, not once, but twice, to find his followers sleeping. Jesus had prayed for an hour while his disciples slept.

At this point, we can resonate with our Lord. We, who have worked long hours on a sermon and have spent time in prayer for our congregation, often grow discouraged by their apparent lethargy.

On the other hand, there is Peter. Peter, filled with zeal, cut off the ear of the soldier who had come to arrest Jesus. Why do you suppose Peter did this? First, he had promised to fight for Jesus, right? Second, he had just been rebuked for sleeping. So, perhaps, he felt that he needed to make up for the lost time. I do not know. But what I do know is that we shepherd those who are spiritually sleepy and those who are overly zealous. Often, our response is to say, “Sheathe your sword.” This is what must be done. And you notice, when Jesus tells Peter this, there is a hint of irritation and compassion as well. It is not wrong to be irritated by sleepy or overly zealous people, but we must know how to deal with both compassionately.

Commitment

“Sheathe your sword. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11; ESV). Regardless of opposition, we must not shrink back from doing what the Father has willed for the church. Yes, it requires time and patience. It may require slow movements and years of faithful preaching, but we must not detract from the mission of Christ. If need be, we may discipline those who oppose us, in hopes of them being restored at a later point. But the mission must continue. We must persevere. 

Comfort

After this account in the garden, Peter goes on to deny Jesus. And you know the story. But three chapters later, Jesus appears to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. He singles out Peter in his three-fold restoration, asking, “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.”

In the same way, we must persist with those who grumble against us, the spiritually sleepy and overly zealous. We must correct those who are in error with tender compassion. And finally, we must restore those who have fallen astray. We do so by pointing out the love of Christ in both what we say and what we do. Whether it is a theological point that is being argued or change that needs to be made, our mission is to exalt Jesus and be faithful to His mission in each and every circumstance; for the betterment of our people and for the glory of God.