Dear Friend,
When Jesus delivered a woman long bound by an oppressive "spirit of infirmity," He shouted this memorable command, "Woman, thou art loosed!" (Luke 13:12). Immediately, her infirmity was gone and normal health and activity restored.
Today, I believe Jesus wants to shout this same deliverance command over ministers who, like this woman, have been long bound by another oppressive "spirit of infirmity." What do I mean?
Simply this. Strange as it may seem, many pastors are bound with fears that render their ministry, messages, and kingdom influence "infirm," or weak, and limited, when it could be potent and far-reaching. These fear-shackles are many, but it only takes one to quench the Spirit and turn a powerful pastor into a miniature minister.
Let's review some imaginary-yet-realistic ministerial confessionals:
"If I preach against sin, and tell my people God seeks holiness, they'll leave, because they don't want to live the sanctified life." Then let them leave, and take their sin with them. God will use the sanctified remnant to do wonders.
"If I teach my people what Jesus really said, that we must bear crosses of rejection, suffering, or injustice for His sake if we want to be His disciples, they will reject me and I'll lose influence with them." Then let them reject you - so the Holy Spirit may approve you and, as you intercede, convict them of rebellion against Christ's teaching. Then your influence will return. And increase!
"If I preach New Testament charity, that we should give freely to the poor and to missions rather than spend all our funds on selfish indulgences, my people will stop giving." Then let them stop giving - and watch God begin giving what your church and its ministries need from new members and sources. Then your non-givers, humbled and awakened, will realize we are here to give, not get, to share, not indulge, and that Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
"I know the Second Coming is near, but if I teach Bible prophecy, the abundant signs of the times, and Jesus' and His apostles' urgent readiness warnings, my people will become fearful, confused, and argumentative toward others holding different End-Times views." No, that's the lie Satan has bound you with, so you will not tell them this most timely truth that will set them free, motivate holy living, and fill them with irrepressible hope to make every remaining day count, knowing the Bridegroom will soon be at the door (see Matthew 25:1-13).
"If I urge my people to disentangle themselves from controversial political and social issues, or purely worldly pursuits, and refocus on growing their spiritual life by seeking God, studying Scripture, praying more, and diligently discharging their God-given duties and ministries, they will accuse me of social apathy, impracticality, and super spirituality, and vote me out of the pulpit." Then let them vote you out - and watch God vote you into another congregation that is ready to seek Him with their whole hearts and obey Him in every area of their lives.
"I know I should preach on certain controversial Bible passages and current topics - homosexuality, gender identity, critical race theory, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, divorce and remarriage, emerging heresies, self-examination, and so forth - to clarify them for my people, but if I do, my deacons will act like demons, threatening financial or other unpleasant consequences if I don't stop." Then let them huff and puff and threaten you - and watch God breathe His Spirit and favor on you anew, and humble them. Free speech is more than a constitutional right; it is a ministerial necessity! Chained preachers liberate no one.
"I know I should preach less and teach more, but my people just love exciting preaching, not 'dull' Bible instruction." Then preach less and teach more, interpreting and applying insights from God's Word faithfully. Remember, you're called to teach the "whole counsel of God," not to wholly stir their religious emotions twice weekly. They need spiritual edification far more than religious hype. So, give them what they need, not what they want - and the Great Shepherd will smile, bless you, and give you what you want: maturing sheep, and a growing, maturing flock.
"I know I should 'give myself continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word' (Acts 6:4), and not spend so much time on fundraising and membership drives aimed at getting more people - anyone! - to attend our meetings. But if I don't, we won't have enough income to maintain our large church building and staff." Then give yourself to seek God's face in His Word and prayer and trust Him to bring in, not more "mixed multitudes," but committed disciples, who want above all else to walk and work with Jesus. And if that doesn't pay your bills, get radical: downsize! Rent or buy a smaller "tabernacle" and reduced staff. (A smaller building doesn't mean a smaller ministry.) But at all costs don't reduce your focus on the King, His eternal values, your kingdom work, and readiness for His soon coming.
By now you get the picture, reverend. Perhaps you are free from any and all fear-bonds. Good for you! Then pray for pastors or ministers you know who are not. But if, infirm with intimidation, you are tired of being tired, worn out with being worried, and yearning to live courageously, not cringingly, today is your D-Day - deliverance day! We may live bound or bold, but not both. Why accept the infirm life when you can live the intrepid life?
My dear, fellow minister, if you and I do not live in New Testament faith and freedom and, when necessary, boldness, trusting Christ with all our hearts, how can we teach others to do so? Only free ministers can free others; bound preachers can only rattle their chains. If we are not "free indeed" (John 8:36) to the depths of our souls, how can we lead spiritually inexperienced, timid, reason-bound Christians into that peaceful promised land?
May God's grace come upon us, at this very moment, with such a holy disgust for compromise and timidity in our ministries, that we stop, stand, and shout another famous phrase from our Master's lips, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" (Matthew 16:23), and break the bonds that have long bound and weakened us.
Pastor, be loosed!
Greg Hinnant
Greg Hinnant Ministries