Across the Pastor’s Desk by the Rev. Kent Otterman

Kent Otterman is chaplain of Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea and pastor of Round Prairie Lutheran Church of rural Glenville and Faith Lutheran Church of London.

I recently read an article that challenged me as a pastor, and I’d like to share part of it with you.  It is written by the Rev. Jeff Schreve of “From His Heart Ministries,” and the title is “Hey pastors, don’t forget your main job!” He quotes 2 Timothy 4:1-2 which says, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

Schreve writes, “The Bible makes it crystal clear that the job of every pastor is to love the Lord and his people, be an example to the flock and preach the Word of God without stutter, stammer, apology or equivocation. Preachers are not to tickle ears with myths but step on toes with truth. According to 2 Timothy 4:2, the Scripture reproves and rebukes before it exhorts. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible is ‘profitable for teaching’ (it tells you what is right), ‘for reproof’ (it tells you what is not right), ‘for correction’ (it tells you how to get right), and ‘for training in righteousness’ (it tells you how to stay right).”

He continues, “In these last days in which we live, it is critical that we start preaching the Word of God, letting the chips fall where they may. Will the world like it? No! Will it be offensive to their Romans 1 mindset? Yes! Will it expose the darkness? It always does! As preachers, our main objective is not to be funny or creative or ingenious or popular.  Our main objective is to be faithful to preach the Word and speak the truth in love. One day, every God-called pastor will stand before the Lord to give an account of his ministry. Were we faithful to speak the truth of his Word and take a stand for righteousness (like Noah did), regardless of popularity or public opinion?  Were we willing to face unpleasant consequences to get the unadulterated message out to a lost and dying world — or did we opt for a more palatable, acceptable Christianity? May we be faithful to shine for Christ, share his story and straightforwardly warn those on the broad road to flee from the wrath that is to come.”

Jeff Schreve is a Baptist pastor, but his words reflect the teaching of Martin Luther on the topic of law and gospel. Luther writes, “Before receiving the comfort of forgiveness, sin must be recognized and the fear of God’s wrath must be experienced through the preaching or apprehension of the law, that man may be driven to sigh for grace and may be prepared to receive the comfort of the Gospel.”

I don’t know about other pastors, but, in this day of open-mindedness and tolerance for almost everything, I needed to hear the encouragement of Jeff Schreve (and Martin Luther) to stay faithful to the truth of God’s word.