Quotes

It is by no means easy for a young man to become a shepherd . . .
An orator he can be without difficulty.
A reformer he can become at once.
In criticism of politics and society he can do
a flourishing business the first Sunday.
But a shepherd he can become
only slowly,
and by patiently traveling
the way of the cross
CHARLES JEFFERSON

God ordained the sufferings of Christ
for the redemption of the church,
and He ordains the suffering of Christian ministers
for the application of that redemption
JOHN PIPER

Why is the pastorate so challenging and difficult?
Because it is opposed by Satan.
The devil hates Christ, his church,
and those who lead it.
And because of this,
church leaders are regularly subjected to special attention
from his demonic hosts
R. KENT HUGHES

In almost every church
there are a few sick people
who brutalize frail leaders
DAVID HANSEN

To love at all is to be vulnerable.
Love anything,
and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken.
If you want to make sure of keeping it intact,
you must give your heart to no one,
not even to an animal.
Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries;
avoid all entanglements;
lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change.
It will not be broken;
it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
The alternative to tragedy,
or at least to the risk of tragedy,
is damnation.
The only place outside heaven where you will be perfectly safe
from all dangers and perturbations of love is hell
C. S. LEWIS

Clerical constancy is testimony to our faith
in the ultimate triumph of the kingdom of God
WILLIAM WILLIMON

You can’t pay people to do the things
that ministers routinely must do.
They need to think God has called them,
or ministry is miserable
ROBERT WILSON

Is the whole heart
in singleness of purpose
consecrated to the Christian Ministry?
CHARLES BRIDGES

Never think of giving up preaching!
The angels around the throne envy you your great work
ALEXANDER WHYTE

Only a renewed pastor
can revive a sleeping congregation
ANDREW PURVES