They must regard him as a gift from Christ sent to the church for their good.29 The minister of the Word is a steward of God's household and an undershepherd of God's flock. He serves willingly and eagerly.30 His reputation can and should be defended, his word believed, and his instructions obeyed unless Scripture is contradicted or facts are plainly distorted.31 The faithful minister should be so regarded simply because he brings God's Word to his people; he does not replace it with his own.
