Being a pastor today is difficult. Being a vocational or lay ministry leader is difficult. Nonetheless, being a voice of truth and hope is a formidable calling in today’s complex ministry world. Just scroll through social media feeds, and you will find one false preacher after another seeking more financial donations, announcing a new prophecy, or the urgent need of other self-focused and self-gratifying material possessions. From mansions to private jets, the list is endless. It can weigh you down, wondering if there are any who speak the truth today. How do we separate the good from the bad?

In my personal devotional time, I am reading and studying Jeremiah. He is probably my favorite Old Testament prophet. He preached for over 40 years and was utterly rejected by the people he preached to, scoffed at, and thrown into a cistern to die. He battled the false prophets and priests of his day who used their position for personal gain, gave false prophecies, and did not lead the people spiritually. It all ended sadly with the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army.

Jeremiah is known as the lamenting prophet, yet we see a glimmer of hope in the midst of all the doom and gloom, the sin of the people, and their rejection of God. There is a promise of restoration. God will not utterly abandon his people or the promises of His Word. God spoke through Jeremiah, “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3:15). Contrasted to the false priests and prophets, God's promise given to Israel continues down to those today in vocational ministry and ministry leadership roles who faithfully preach, teach, and shepherd local congregations.

The writer to the Hebrews encourages us, writing, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

One of our blessings in the AGC is that cloud of witnesses, those who have gone before us, endured challenges, and remained faithful to their calling. Pastors and ministry leaders who stepped out in faith, planted new churches, and upheld the authority of the Word of God when challenged by shifting cultural values and trends. The challenges we face today as ministry leaders have not changed or become easier; if anything, they have become more complex and challenging. Jesus recognized this in sending out the disciples with a warning and a truth, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves . . . For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matt. 10:16, 20). We live in challenging times and must recognize the wolves in our midst using wisdom from above, and with a gentle and loving spirit plead with those in darkness to repent and receive what Jesus freely offers to all who come to Him – forgiveness, healing, restoration, and a new life!

Ministry will always be difficult because we come with a message of hope to those held in spiritual darkness and unbelief, or worse, false belief and hope. We come as sheep amidst wolves seeking to destroy. Yet we come. We go forth with the good news of the transformational power of the Gospel. Let those who have gone before us—you know who they are, you know them personally— be a witness and an encouragement to serve faithfully in challenging times.

Looking to Jesus, the founder, and perfecter of our faith!

Rev. Bill Allan,

AGC President

A Legacy of Blessing: Shepherds in the Midst of Wolves