HERALDS OF GOD
is no reason why any man's ministry should be crippled by such aloofness and inhumanity. There is every reason why the ambassador of Christ, more than anyone else, should be alert and sensitive to men's difficulties, aspirations, conflicts, bafflements, to their social and economic strains and stresses and insecurities, to their dreams and defeats, heroisms and tragic blunders. Everything that can help you there—all first-hand acquaintance with contemporary conditions, all working knowledge of psychology, all practical experience of living in community—will bring an indispensable contribution to the resources of insight, understanding and sympathy out of which you are to preach. In this connection, let me urge upon you the immense importance of the preacher's work as pastor. Have nothing to do with the foolish suggestion that the two offices might advantageously be severed. Let no specious arguments about the necessity of conserving your energies, or of concentrating on other tasks, organization, committees, and the like, deflect you from your primary duty of knowing the people whom you are sent to serve for Jesus' sake. Above all, I would ask you to consider this paradox. Would you know men better? Then get closer to God! For indeed the only way to understand your brother truly is to see him as God sees him, to look out upon him through the eyes of the great Father of us all.
There is another resource which will come in powerfully to your aid in the preparation of your messages week by week: your fellowship with the great minds
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