Pastors Who Won't Call Out False Teachers by Name are Most Likely False Teachers

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” – Romans 16:17

The mantle of pastoral leadership is no light burden indeed and is laden with myriad responsibilities and duties. Everyone needs you, everyone thinks you have the answers. Everyone has no problem swallowing whatever scrap of time you have scavenged for yourself. At the same time, no one has a problem criticizing you for your perceived deficiencies.

Aside from the pressure from needy church members, a pastor must meet certain biblical qualifications:

 “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,” (2 Tim 2:24) 

God commands pastors to be kind and patient. I can not describe how much of a blessing it has been to have pastors who are kind and patient with me. I have been blessed to sit with elders who have poured into my life leading me in godliness with patience that has refreshed my soul. I have also had pastors who were the opposite— and let me tell you, it is anything but a blessing.

Navigating the delicate balance of confronting heretical figures without breaching the divine command for universal kindness poses a significant predicament. After all, it may seem to violate God’s command to be kind and patient toward everyone to openly confront false teachers. How can a pastor be both a gentle shepherd to the church and yet oppose so forcefully the false teachings of heretics?

The Apostle Paul stands as a paragon of pastoral excellence, teaching and demonstrating the qualifications of pastoral leadership. He planted many churches, trained countless church leaders, and evangelized thousands of lost souls. He was a writer of the Sacred Writ and the same Holy Spirit that used him to pen all those commands to be gentle also used him to frequently call out heretics by name.

For example: