Why are a lot of preachers up against it when it comes to keeping their congregation content?
A lot of preachers are up against it because their salary depends on keeping everyone in the pew happy. If they don't, the money doesn't come in, and they quickly find themselves without an income. This financial pressure forces them to prioritize congregational contentment over other concerns.
Les explains that he is not beholden to anyone because his salary doesn't depend on keeping people happy out there in the pew. This is where many preachers are up against it—they feel they must keep everybody content, or else the money doesn't come in and they're without an income. Les contrasts this with his own situation, where he can teach the book without compromise. He also notes that giving in to people's demands is nothing new, as seen in Aaron, who should have stood in the gap while Moses was gone but instead gave in to what the people wanted. This pattern, Les says, is seen all through Christendom constantly.