Pastors, patriots nation builders

Strong pastoral leadership is necessary for a healthy church – a truth understood by congregations of all Christian denominations. Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14) calls His church to be led by faithful undershepherds (1 Peter 5:2). This is the only way the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) can effectively be accomplished.

The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:2,“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Paul’s directive impacts at least four generations: (1) the apostle, (2) the apostle’s student, Timothy, (3) those taught by Timothy, (4) and those who will be taught by Timothy’s students. In Ephesians 4:11-12, the apostle further describes the strength and purpose of this four-fold generational process to evangelize and disciple “for the building up of the body of Christ.”

By applying the Lord Jesus’ and the apostle Paul’s multiplication process of evangelism and discipleship, vast multitudes have come to saving faith throughout Christian history. Accordingly, the followers of Jesus Christ have shaped cultures, teaching people to read, learn, obey, and apply the Scriptures to all of life.

Proclaimed by pastors, Scriptures such as the following have shaped the laws, morals, and cultures of nations, including the United States of America:

▶ “[If] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

▶ “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).

▶ “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

▶ “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29).

▶ “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever’” (Revelation 11:15).

As pastors obey Paul’s exhortation to “preach the word,” their influence is mighty, especially when they do so consistently “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Such is evident in America’s history, as affirmed by the words of Noah Webster, America’s early lexicographer. On October 25, 1836, he wrote: “The learned clergy … had great influence in founding the first genuine republican governments ever formed.”

The impact

America’s story presents a host of faithful pastors who have advanced this nation’s freedoms through leadership and diligent exposition of God’s Word. They span centuries in multiple denominations with diverse theologies. Such patriotic pastors are worthy of being remembered, especially as Americans celebrate the 250th birthday of their independence.

Hebrews 13:7 (ESV) says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Some of these nation-shaping pastoral leaders include Francis Asbury, James Caldwell, Jonas Clark, John Cotton, Samuel Davies, George Duffield II, Timothy Dwight IV, Israel Evans, John Gano, Ashbel Green, Jonathan Mayhew, Peter Muhlenberg, William Penn, John Rodgers, Ezra Stiles, William Tennent, William White, George Whitefield, Roger Williams, John Wise, and John Witherspoon. They are worthy of study to glean their wisdom and to understand their impact across the decades.

Additionally, such early American clergy were influential for reasons beyond their church leadership, including the following:

▶ Leading immigrants to America and shaping their faith communities

▶ Defending religious liberty in the face of persecution and ostracism

▶ Publishing sermons providing biblical teaching and news commentary

▶ Powerfully preaching the gospel message of “You must be born again!”

▶ Legitimating opposing injustices such as the Stamp Act of 1765

▶ Explaining that armed resistance was legitimate in the face of tyranny

▶ Serving as chaplains to government and military forces

▶ Establishing schools to train children, future national leaders, and ministers

▶ Giving biblical counsel to government leaders to establish godly order

▶ Developing some of the earliest publishing houses for literature

▶ Launching missions to take the gospel to aboriginal peoples

▶ Shaping public values by upholding the Ten Commandments

▶ Molding public political opinion through preaching “election sermons”

Peter Oliver – a self-professed loyalist who challenged the motives of the Founding Fathers – served as chief justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts (1772-1775). The bold leadership of America’s Patriot Pastors led Oliver to label them the “Black Regiment,” a backhanded reference to the black robes worn by the
courageous clergymen.

Despite Oliver’s condemnation, the impact and legacy of what became known as the Black-Robed Regiment is evident throughout history. For example, Milton L. Haney and John M. Whitehead, both chaplains during the Civil War, were Medal of Honor recipients.

During World War II, when a troop transport ship was struck in the North Atlantic by a German submarine, four chaplains – two Protestants, a Jewish rabbi, and a Roman Catholic priest – gave up their life vests to save four young soldiers.

Then, the 20th century brought many diverse and influential ministers into the public square, including Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, D. James Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Peter Marshall, Francis Schaeffer, and Don Wildmon, among others.

The outlook

But what about now? What about tomorrow? What will be the influence of pastors in America’s future? Has the Black-Robed Regiment been silenced or defeated, or has it lost its nerve? Are pastors still the spokesmen who are leading God’s people to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16)?

Retirements rise, while fewer young men seek the ministry. Pastors are fearful to speak when theology and the public square intersect. Looming post-COVID discouragement has caused middle-aged pastors to leave ministry. Liberal theology has produced timidity in declaring “thus says the Lord” and reluctance to proclaim “a hell to shun and a heaven to gain.”

Yet America still needs godly leaders to join her Black-Robed Regiment and herald “the liberty by which Christ has made us free” (Galatians 5:1, NKJV).

After being newly elected, President George Washington spoke of “the experiment in liberty entrusted to the American people.” Now, the American experiment has endured for 250 years, in large part due to the freedoms won and sustained by the courageous sacrifice of pastors in the pulpits – the battlefield of the public square.

Their contributions to the liberty and health of our nation and her social institutions, including the church in America, are inestimable.

As we celebrate the semiquincentennial of the greatest nation in the history of man, Americans would do good to recall, rejoice over, and honor its pastors. They are as essential for the nation’s future as they have been for its past.

The Black-Robed Regiment is still recruiting, and King Jesus is calling those who would faithfully serve.