Sturdy as a Redwood and Tender as a Flower

 When you think about the sturdiness of a Redwood tree, its ability to grow deep roots, to survive storms and droughts, a tender flower cannot compare. Redwoods are hard. Strong. Massive. Unyielding. Steadfast. All of those things are good qualities of preachers. They need to be strong in the word of God, unyielding to liberal influences, and steadfast in proclaiming the whole truth of the Bible over a long duration. 

There are many stalwart men in the pulpit. Many are aging. I think about men such as David Jeremiah, Chuck Swindoll, John Piper, and John MacArthur. Men who remained in their pulpits for decades holding fast the word of life. There have been many pulpit giants like them through history. Charles Spurgeon stayed in his church over 30 years. He vigorously defended truth. Charles Simeon remained in his pulpit for 54 years even though he faced 12 years of intense opposition initially. John Newton only served two churches his entire ministry. My pastor, Charles M. Roberts, preached at my home church for 34 years. Strong redwood trees were each of these men. 

Strong redwood pastors also need to be tenderhearted like a flower as they minister to people. Caring. Sensitive. Loving. Compassionate. Patient. John Newton was such a pastor. I think the apostle John was such a one too. He wrote about love more than all the other apostles. Charles Roberts tenderly loved me and guided me through my early ministry years. He patiently helped me navigate the waters learning to be more than a preacher to becoming a faithful pastor. He welcomed me to his office to sit on the couch and unload my troubled heart more times than I can count. I cannot thank God enough for him. 

It seems to me that it is easy to fall to one side or the other. To be a redwood uncompromising in proclamation of truth, but never really accessible to the people. On the other hand, there are some who are weak in preaching the Bible, but excel in loving and shepherding the people. 

I believe God would have preachers and pastors excel at both. To be sturdy in the pulpit not caving into trials, external pressures, internal criticisms, and overwhelming demands made upon them. At the same time, they need to be tender and delicate with people up close. To be accessible to the flock, willing to listen, available to pray and visit people in their distress. 

A.W. Tozer was a redwood. He was not tender as a flower. Very often after finishing the sermon, he exited out a side door to avoid talking to the people. He preferred time in private worship and keeping his nose in his books than visiting people. The story is told that one time Tozer was picked up from a preaching trip by one of his associates. Since they were near the hospital, the associate suggested they stop into see one of the church members. When the hospitalized man saw Tozer walk in he exclaimed, "Is my prognosis really that bad that Tozer came to see me." Tozer is known as a great in the pulpit and an author. He is not known to have been a great shepherd of people. 

It is a delicate balance to be sturdy like a redwood and tender like a flower at the same time. To get out balance can harm the very people you preach to or the pastor can be pushed around and intimidated by brash members if they are too soft and delicate. May God give His ministers the needed grace to be sturdy like a redwood in proclaiming truth and a tender compassionate heart when ministering to people.