by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
"Because the pastor speaks the Word of God, do whatever he teaches,
pay diligent heed, all Christians, and do it. Concerning this, the apostle
says, "Obey them that have rule over you, and submit yourselves: for
they must watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they
may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you"
(Hebrews 13:17). The pastor is the messenger of God who is sent to you by
God, and He proclaims to you the way of salvation, and invites you in the
name of God into His eternal Kingdom. For this reason, revere him as the
messenger of God who proclaims to you such great good things, and who invites
you to them. "He who receives you, receives me," says the Lord
(Matthew 10:40). Receive, then, and revere the pastor as the messenger of
Christ.
Because the pastor provides for the common good, and as he looks after you
as well as for all, so that all may receive eternal salvation, then love
him as your father and benefactor, and be grateful to him. You call him
"Father," that is well: He begets you as well as others, not to
the temporary, but to eternal life. Then love him, as so great a father
to you. You love your own father according to the flesh, how much more ought
you love this "Father." As he takes care and provides for all,
and for you, do not leave him in need, but help him in his requests and
supply his needs, that he may have time to take care and look after the
common good. Thus by mutual love and benediction the common good will not
be without success.
Because many among the people are not men of goodwill, and as they do not
love pastoral reproof but wish to live according to their own will, they
invent and broadcast slander and ill report against the pastor. Then when
you hear such slander and ill report against the pastor, do not believe
it and guard your lips, lest you say anything about it to anyone else. Otherwise
you will sin gravely, as you will return evil for good, which is a great
iniquity. It is a serious thing to slander and dishonor a simple person,
how much more so a pastor. From this, great discord follows among the people,
and disregard and disobedience to the pastor, and thus his labor may end
without profit. Pay careful attention to this, avoid evil gossip against
the pastor. Most of all do not spread evil gossip about him, lest you feel
the avenging hand of God upon you. If you see in the pastor such weaknesses
as occur even among the people, do not be scandalized and do not judge him,
but understand that the pastor is a man, just like everyone else, and that
he has the same weaknesses as do the rest of the people. Because the pastor
is subject to many temptations, and the Devil, and his evil servants war
against him most especially, therefore he also needs the special help and
support of God.
Then you, and all the people as well, must pray to God for him that He may
help him and strengthen him. The happiness of the household depends on a
good householder, the happiness of soldiers depends on a good commander,
and the happiness of the sailing ship depends on a good helmsman. Pray then
that the pastor may be wise and good, and that Christian society may be
happy. When a pastor himself does not do what he teaches, but lives contrary
to his teaching, heed the word of Christ which He spoke concerning such
pastors; "The scribes and pharisees sit in the seat of Moses, therefore
all they bid you observe, that observe and do, but do not imitate their
works, for they say, and do not do" (St. Matthew 23:2-3).
[An excerpt from "Journey to Heaven," Jordanville, NY 1991.]