DefCon deals with defending the Christian faith from a virtual cornucopia of heresy, damnable lies, false teaching, cults, and the lukewarm status quo which is running rampant throughout most American churches. But I wanted to take a moment to not only recognize those pastors out there who have refused to compromise, but I wanted to also encourage them to continue to remain faithful.

So in the same spirit as Ingrid Schuleter’s Wanted: An Old Fashioned Church, I’ve decided to post my own open letter. I’d like to address mine to all the faithful pastors out there; these pastors know who they are.

Dear faithful pastors:

While every other church in your town has gone “purpose-driven,” you refuse to allow this poison to infect your congregation; blocking it at the door. Thank you.

When the goats and wolves among the flock urge you to change what you’re doing or they’ll leave, you refuse; remaining steadfast to the truth and preaching the whole counsel of God. Thank you.

When the wolves secreted among the sheep try everything they can to get you to capitulate and compromise in this or that matter, you stand firm to protect your flock and drive out the wolves from among them. Thank you.

When the goats among the sheep defend the wolves you’re resisting and demand you compromise to accommodate the wolves, you continue to stand firm. Thank you.

When every other pastor in your town has refused to teach sound Biblical doctrine in favor of tickling ears with myths, fables, and upbeat, positive self-help messages, you remain true to preaching the whole counsel of God, including the not-so-seeker-friendly parts. Thank you.

When the other pastors are too busy courting friendship with the world (i.e. being enemies of God) in order to be seen as “hip” and “relevant,” you have resisted and stood firm on the matter of holiness. Thank you.

When many of the other churches in your area are offering “sermons” on the Beatles, Elvis, sex, Hollywood movies, and every other lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and pride of life, you continue to faithfully, systematically, and fearfully teach the words of life from the holy Scriptures. Thank you.

When other pastors are spending their time immersed in the culture, setting wickedness before their eyes by spending countless hours rotting on the couch in front of their televisions and sitting in darkened theaters, you spend countless hours in prayer and studying the Word of God to not only show yourself an approved workman of God, but a faithful shepherd of your flock. Thank you.

When it seems that no one in your local assembly wants to sacrifice but they all want to reap rewards, you don’t let it discourage you; you keep on fighting the good fight. Thank you.

In spite of pressure to compromise Biblical truths for the sake of “unity” and “tolerance,” you stay the course, preaching the exclusivity of Christ and Him crucified. Thank you.

You endure those middle-of-the-night phone calls. You give so much of yourself in endless counseling sessions to those who refuse to simply open the Bible and follow its directions. You make great sacrifices in ways that no one will ever know and almost all of which go completely unnoticed. Thank you.

No matter how much the world pulls at you to compromise, you know that you will stand before God one day and give an account and that you have many people counting on you to persevere till the end. Thank you.

On behalf of those who sit under your preaching week after week, we stand up and applaud, thanking God for your faithfulness as shepherds of His Church, tirelessly counseling, teaching, preaching, and protecting the flock that He’s entrusted you with in the face of a world (and church) full of relentless opposition.

Thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus Christ, to His gospel, to His Church, and to His truth. You are few. You are a minority. Many times you feel as if you stand alone, but know that you are never alone and great will be your reward in Heaven.

Stay the course and never compromise!

Sincerely,

– The Pilgrim

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Please see: A Sobering Call to Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers