The Apostle Paul wrote, "I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some." (1 Cor. 19:22). He was describing the need to reach all people and experiencing and living what they lived. Earlier, Jesus said, "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" (Mat. 5:37). This was shared in relation to people feeling the need to swear to have people believe them. I was guilty of that on the grounds of my elementary school. "Cross my heart and hope to die!" Or "I swear on a stack of Bibles!" But what is conviction, and why is that important in the life of a believer? Conviction is standing for that which one believes is of God and God's righteousness, and never wavering from that. If the situation calls for one to say "yes" when a yes is required, then Christ would say for us to say yes and stand by that yes. If the situation required our saying "no," then we would need to say no and stand by the no and all the reasons behind it.
For the pastor who believes one must please all people, don't. There is only One whom we seek to please and that is the One who sent us into the joys of ministry and serving. We are called to stand on our convictions and rely on prayer, reflection, study of scripture, and honest searching to help us know where we are to stand. In all things of course we stand on God's love and grace, and that we should offer to all people; but we should not be afraid to hurt someone's feelings if we have to say no or yes, when they are expecting or demanding the opposite.
As parents we have had to stop being our child's friend, to say yes or no when they expected or demanded a no or a yes. Years later, they will understand and realize that because of our love we had to stand firm on what we believed to be best for their development and growth.
As humans we will make mistakes. Seek to err on the side of God.
