Not just a pleasant homily

[Continuing the hymn-for-Sundays series]

Poets, playwrights please their patrons,
pastors are employed to preach,
and as shepherds listen, counsel,
to each lamb explain and teach
    that they may be pardoned, progress,
    and eternal life possess.

Pastors may have need to chasten,
beckon back into God’s Way,
leave backsliding from the Father,
notions false that lead astray:
    pastors are not paid to flatter,
    but to help us know God better.

Not as followers of a patron,
ministers should truly serve
God, and those he’s drawn to love him,
truth revealed they must preserve,
    not to pander to our folly,
    not leave us lost and jolly.

Tune: 87 87 88

http://rhiannonshymns.co.uk/