What are the most dangerous pitfalls to which priests, shepherds, and servants are prone?

In the inaudible prayers at the beginning of the divine liturgy, the priest lifts up his heart and prays: “Grant O Lord that our sacrifice may be accepted before You for my own sins and for the ignorance of Your people,” attributing sins to himself while considering the errors of the people more as weaknesses.

Scripture cautions those who serve in the Church against the warfare of the devil: “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, then I will turn My hand against the little ones” (Zech. 13:7). The most dangerous sin that a priest, servant, preacher, or teacher can fall into, is to deceive oneself. This sin manifests itself in the following:

• a. The leader pridefully enumerates his achievements and services, without attributing these achievements to God. St. Basil the Great says, “Let not the rank of cleric elate you but let it, rather, make you humble, for advancement in the spirit is advancement in humility; defection and disgrace are born of haughtiness. The nearer you approach the higher ranks of sacred orders, the more you should abase yourself, recalling with fear the example of the sons of Aaron. Knowledge of holy living is knowledge of meekness and humility. Humility is the imitation of Christ; high-mindedness and boldness and shamelessness, the imitation of the Devil. Become an imitator of Christ, not of Antichrist; of God and not of the adversary of God; of the Master, not the fugitive slave; of the merciful One, not the merciless; of the lover, not the enemy, of mankind; of the inmates of the bridal chamber, not the inhabitants of darkness. Be not eager to wield authority over the community, that you may not place upon your own neck others’ burdens of sin.”¹⁷⁰³

• b. He is mostly concerned with the number of people who listen to him, and not with establishing the kingdom of God within himself and within those whom he serves.

• c. He thinks that his talents and abilities are worthy of more honor than his current position, so he seeks a bigger church with more populous meetings, or believes he is exceptional and should lead specific services such as Youth Meetings or Servant Preparation meetings. Or he thinks of himself as the most capable of starting new projects, publishing books, or recording sermons.

1701 St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Funeral Oration on St. Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea 41 (FOTC 22:62).

1702 Cf. Dayton Hartman, Lies Pastors Believe: 7 Ways to Elevate Yourself, Subvert the Gospel, and Undermine the Church (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017).

1703 St. Basil of Caesarea, On Renunciation of the World (FOTC 9:30–31).

• d. He believes that he has a fiery heart with regards to the spiritual life, inflamed with holy zeal. But what he really desires to do is to show off the strength of his service and his knowledge of the divine truth, and so service becomes a tool for him to achieve his personal goals, and not to grow in the knowledge of God or in love for those whom He died for.

• e. He is always concerned with having a leading role especially in the media, or he struggles internally to attain a prestigious position in local or ecumenical conferences.

• f. The servant deceives himself when he thinks that he is called to make major reforms, driven by his unique capabilities.

• g. Some believe that they are successful in their service, though what concerns them is only the growth of their own fame or popularity.

The remedy for all these kinds of issues is to practice the true ministry whereby the servant sings with the apostle saying, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

St. Augustine believes that the servant’s role is for “the proud to be put in their place, the desperate set on their feet, those engaged in quarrels reconciled; the needy have to be helped, the oppressed to be liberated, the good to be given your backing, the bad to be tolerated; all must be loved.”¹⁷⁰⁴

The servant should not think that Christ needs him, or that the Church will cease to exist without him. It is God’s grace that grants him a place to serve alongside the members of the Church, as one team. The prophet says, “Do not seek great things for yourself” (Jer. 45:5).