Concerning the Role of Persuasion in Ministry: In Brief

March 18, 2011

To persuade brings with it many negative connotations, stirring up such synonyms

as: allure, argue into, brainwash, coax, entice, propagandize, and so on. There are good
connotations as well, however when researching in the Doctrines persuasion is largely used to
describe a state in which a person has convinced himself of the validity of this or that fallacy or
fantasy1; persuasion in this case is akin to self-delusion rather than a the convincing of another
person.
The conventional definition of what it is to persuade is this: to make an appeal to logic or
understanding; an advising or urging of someone to do something. I offer that, based on this
understanding of the concept, persuasion rests at the very heart of ministry, which is to teach the
truth (appeal to logic or understanding) and lead thereby to the good of life (advise or urge
someone to do something, make a change).
While our synonyms above concerning persuasion do not present it in glowing reference, there
are others which do: advise, assure, bring to senses, counsel, lead, reason, satisfy, and more. It
does not have to be a sneaky and underhanded thing. A priest can lay down the truth from the
Word so that the congregation (or flock) can see it, and can help them see how it could be lived.
There is nothing contrary to order in this.
As a matter of fact, it is the pastor’s duty to affect change in his congregation. See the following
from the Arcana Coelestia:
Priests must teach the people and guide them by means of truths to
goodness of life, but they must not compel anyone. (AC 10798)
This passage highlights for us that there is indeed something about which pastors must be
cautious—compulsion. If persuading is fair ground, compelling is out of bounds. Often the
Doctrines associate compulsion with fear of punishment or threats and though these may
influence a change in behavior and purported belief, it does not an ounce of good for the person’s
actual reformation2. A pastor must not let this potential extreme, however, dissuade him from
leading his flock. In fact, only evil priests refuse to lead.3
The most important thing a pastor can do is not take the responsibility for the regeneration of
anyone other than himself.4 If he takes responsibility for the spiritual progress of one of his
congregation, he will attempt to exact change in him, and this is compulsion, which as we know,
is contrary to freedom.
Having a healthy leadership role in the life of a congregation includes teaching and
demonstrating the truth, respecting an individual’s right to reject it5, yet rejoicing and supporting
him if he accepts it and lives it. This is what it is to employ a healthy persuasion which is at the
heart of ministry.

1
AC 311, 561-2, 580, 794, 806, et al.
2
DP 136
3
NJHD 315; AC 343; TCR 381
4
NJHD 318
5
NJHD 143