“Let’s be clear: God doesn’t need you. Jesus doesn’t need you. The Holy Spirit doesn’t need you. Men have been pastoring the church for thousands of years, and the kingdom will be in fine shape after you’re dead. God always has his workers; even a donkey will do in a pinch.”
— Nicolas Alford and Nicholas Kennicott, In Praise of Old Guys: Pastoral Mentorship, Humility, and the Dangers of Youth🔗
“[Jesus] chose twelve apostles to testify...[b]ut what coudl the testimony of twelve poor, though hoenst men, prevail against the confronting suffrage of the world? Wherefore the work of bearing witness to Christ, was committed to him who is above all, and who is able to make his testimony prevalent...Accordingly the apostles plead his concurring testimony--'We are his witnesses--and so also is the Holy Spriit'”
— John Owen, The Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Power🔗