Martin Bucer, in his Concerning the True Care of Souls, writes (p. 33) about the necessary character for pastors. We are used to hearing the first two:
- “a suitable and noble reputation”
- “a good example of life”
The third, in my experience, is not commonly mentioned:
- “a necessary sense of awe”
Bucer writes,
Because so much is involved in the pastoral office, with teaching, exhortation, warning and discipline, comfort and pardon; and for this a reputation, a sense of awe, and an example of life are required; and since the whole of this so varied ministry has to be carried out in such a way to help any and every one of the elect; every Christian can easily see how various kinds of exalted gifts and skills are needed, as well as all the earnest zeal, for the proper execution of the pastoral office.
In other words, the pastor must know God. He must awe at the grace, power, and glory of God. He must fear God. Church officers ought to pursue this necessary character and return again and again to it in their prayers for their work.