Another Baptist voice from the past on the importance of oversight and pastoral care:
“The leader of a church must love his people. He must watch over them with the tender solicitude of a shepherd. He must exercise wise oversight of their lives, thinking ahead and planning ahead for their welfare, keeping them busily and happily at work, as a good overseer with a group of workmen under his direction. He must add to his love the quality of vision and authority, so that his people will not only be protected from spiritual danger, but led to highest usefulness and effectiveness in Christian service.” 20
– Gaines Dobbins, Baptist Churches in Action