Christian leaders Quote by D. A. Carson
““Paul agonizes far more over the difficult things he has had to suffer at the hands of his own converts in Corinth than over the beatings and privations he has endured at the hands of outsiders. Thus, pastors and other Christian leaders must not be surprised by the extraordinary emotional pressures that may befall them, imposed by thoughtless or even renegade church members. These will rarely be fair; they can be soul-destroying. But from a biblical perspective, they are scarcely surprising. To expect them is to rob them of part of their power; to endure them with grace and fortitude is nothing other than following the example of Jesus.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Pastor’s Guide to Emotional Resilience, 2015
Church leaders face intense internal pressures from congregants, which are expected and can be endured with grace, mirroring Jesus’ example.
In simple terms: Leaders must expect and endure unfair pressures.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate grace and fortitude when facing internal challenges.
Themes
leadership
faith
emotional resilience
Mood
solemn
encouraging
Type
theological
practical
When to use this quote
- pastoral counseling
- church governance
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
community dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders protect their well‑being?
- What practices sustain grace under pressure?
A Different Perspective
Internal pressures can cause burnout if not managed.
![“Paul has, moreover, in the most lucid manner, pointed out that man has been delivered over to his own infirmity, lest, being uplifted, he might fall away from the truth. Thus he says in the second [Epistle] to the Corinthians: “And lest I should be lifted up by the sublimity of the revelations…” quote by The Church Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4c/the-church-fathers-1438_three-times_paul-has-moreover-in-the-most-lucid-mann_478019.jpg)
