Hiding Behind “Faithfulness”

“We’re just being faithful,” the pastor said as he examined the state of his church. He had repeated the mantra to himself, to other leaders in the church, and to fellow pastors in network meetings. He believed it… at least partly. But he knew there was more to the story.

Faithfulness ranks among the most admirable qualities in pastoral leaders. Paul described Christian leadership as stewardship (1 Cor 4:1-2).  He identified faithfulness as a noteworthy attribute in the examples of Tychicus (Eph 6:21) and Epaphras (Col 1:7). But, when not clearly defined, faithfulness can become a smokescreen that pastors use to hide several fears. Here is a small sampling of fears that pastors might be hiding when they claim, “We’re just being faithful”:

1. I’m scared of leading through change. – A pastor who fears leading through change may claim faithfulness as a reason not to tackle necessary changes. Change demands a variety of challenges from leaders, while ‘faithfulness’ can become a justification for simply doing what you’ve always done.
2. I’m unclear on a way forward. – Leadership is inherently forward-thinking and forward-moving. Pastoral leaders, with unwavering conviction rooted in the historical gospel, help shepherd their church onward. But movement, even in the right direction, can be difficult. “Faithfulness” can become a religious way of saying, “let’s just stay here.”
3. I’m comfortable. – Praise God for comfortable seasons of ministry! There are seasons when God gives us tastes of rest and God-honoring successes. But such successes should not lead us to stagnation. Pastor, could your current comfort in your ministry station be holding you back from moving in the direction God wants you to move?
4. I don’t want to upset people. – Many pastors struggle with people-pleasing. A shepherd’s heart avoids harming the sheep. But, pastoral leadership requires us to recognize the difference between not wanting to cause undue harm and not wanting to upset people. “We’re just being faithful” can become a passive pat on the back of people you simply don’t want to upset.
5. I’m ashamed of our lack of fruit.  – While the conversation regarding faithfulness and fruitfulness in ministry is beyond the scope of this article, one observation might help. A claim to faithfulness cannot become a justification for a lack of fruit any more than a claim to fruitfulness can become a justification for a lack of faithfulness. If you are ashamed of your lack of fruitfulness, don’t hide behind a false claim to faithfulness. Repent, plead with God, and move forward in faith.

Biblical faithfulness in leadership is more like passionately windsurfing against the current than passively floating in a lazy river. Paul included in his summary description of faithful gospel ministry, “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58). Faithful leaders labor to produce fruit. They refuse to be swept along in the current. Jesus warns the disciples that faithfulness requires more than simply not losing what God has entrusted to you (Matt 25:14-30). Pastor, you should aim to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” at the end of your ministry (Matt 25:23). As you pursue that end, keep a close watch on yourself and your fears. A humble recognition that God gives the growth will encourage you to labor well as God’s fellow workers (1 Cor 3:5-9).