Richard Baxter, in advising his colleagues in the ministry, helps us to understand how important this work is. He suggests that a pastor speak along these lines when meeting with people to give them spiritual guidance:
My friends, it may perhaps seem unusual and troublesome for me to meet with you in this way; but I hope you will not think it unnecessary, for if I had thought it so, I would have spared both you and me this trouble. But my conscience has told me, indeed, God has told me in his Word, very solemnly, what it is to be responsible for people’s souls, and how the blood of those who perish will be required at the hands of a minister who neglected them, so I dare not be guilty of this neglect as I have been up to now. Alas! our entire task in this world is to get well to heaven; and God has appointed us [i.e. ministers] to be guides to his people, to help them to get there safely. If this is well done, all is done; and if this is not done, we are for ever ruined.1
We may not use Baxter’s exact words when speaking to our people, but we certainly should share his urgency and seriousness. Note that he is governed by an eternal perspective, just like Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:12.
11 For you know how, like a father with his children,