Fear Not . . .


I had a conversation today with a gentleman who I’ve mentored off and on over the years. The last few years, we’ve traded e-mails with a phone conversation once in a while. When I first met him, he was a newly saved believer in the Navy. He grew fast and was willing to serve his Savior in anyway so when he felt called to preach I was not surprised. I know this man’s heart and am blessed to know him. Now the young sailor is a man in his mid 30’s and living in Florida and is serving in a small church as their youth pastor. He’s been praying about what to do next once he completes in undergraduate degree. He called me up this morning and wanted to talk. It’s been awhile since we’ve talked on the phone so it was nice to hear his voice and hear all the things God is doing in his life, his family’s life, and the youth group. While talking with him, he shared with me what happened this past Sunday at his church.

A deacon who for some reason doesn’t like him keeps making things rough on him at this church. The pastor does not correct this deacon out of fear that this man may leave and take members with him. Apparently, some years ago this man joined this church. When he joined, he brought people with him; they all left another church together. Since then he’s become a deacon and feels he can do what he wants. It seems he can as long as the pastor sits by and allows him to do so. It is a shame that this pastor will not correct this deacon. It’s the job of the pastor to edify the members and correct members when they do wrong. This pastor is fearful so he allows things to happen that should not be happening.

I’ve seen good men hit the wall of fear and allow the fear to take control. They seem to forget that God is the One who does and we as His men are called to follow His lead. God is the One who adds to the church and moves people out. If someone who is in some sort of authority is not doing what is right according to the Bible, the pastor is told to correct. The correction must be done in a loving matter but it must be done. God has given the pastor (the Under Shepherd) the authority to lead His (the Great Shepherd’s) flock. When a pastor speaks, exercises authority, he does so with the power of the One who has called him to this position.

God is in control so rely on Him when you hit that wall of fear. He will carry you past it. The Bible is full of stories of men and women who hit the wall of fear but got past it because of God’s power was on them. Any man who is a pastor or minister has been called by God to this office so He will make sure to carry you past any fear that may come up. Take your eyes off of yourself and place them on the Master and He will carry you through it.