Answer: Modern texts indicate that the sincerity of faith among clergymen is often questioned, since their ministry shows a lack of genuine spirituality, which should be an indispensable aspect of their vocation.

Authentic Spiritual Leadership in a Formal World

Answer: Modern texts indicate that the sincerity of faith among clergymen is often questioned, since their ministry shows a lack of genuine spirituality, which should be an indispensable aspect of their vocation. In one source, the author notes:
"In our time it is not enough for a shepherd to be merely a good 'mender of faults' or 'administrator': he must be able to provide a worthy answer to every inquirer, must have a sound knowledge of all the truths of our holy faith, and be able to defend them against the attacks of adversaries; moreover, it is especially necessary to minister to the flock with genuine spirituality, a true and sincere spiritual disposition, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s world, even among clergymen." (source: link txt, page: 872).

Such a lack of sincerity and depth in one’s internal religious experience affects the perception of the Gospel in modern practice. Formalism and external righteousness, although they may create an impression of correctness, are often not accompanied by the transformative inner power of faith. This is also discussed in another source, which draws a comparison with Pharisaic practices:
"Here lies the purpose of the Church’s existence on earth and our communion with it. Someone might say: well, I go to church, observe fasts, partake in the Sacred Mysteries of Christ, have read the Gospel several times—therefore, I possess an aspiration towards the heavenly, and I have come to know God. No, this does not signify much; it is merely an external sign that does not always align with the truth. For example, there lies a person with a flush on his cheeks, and we think he is asleep. We approach—and he turns out to be dead. Thus, the external sign does not always correspond to the inner substance. As is the case with the Pharisees, whose outward life appears very righteous..." (source: link txt, page: 1249).

Thus, the sincerity of faith among clergymen plays a crucial role in how the Gospel is perceived and presented to believers. The absence of genuine inner spirituality can result in the true message of the Gospel—life, transformation, and a sincere yearning for God—being lost beneath the guise of formal religiosity. This, in turn, creates a disconnect between external religious appearances and inner spiritual renewal, which adversely affects the perception of the full meaning of the Good News in contemporary religious practice.

Supporting citation(s):
"In our time it is not enough for a shepherd to be merely a good 'mender of faults' or 'administrator': he must be able to provide a worthy answer to every inquirer, must have a sound knowledge of all the truths of our holy faith, and be able to defend them against the attacks of adversaries; moreover, it is especially necessary to minister to the flock with genuine spirituality, a true and sincere spiritual disposition, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s world, even among clergymen." (source: link txt, page: 872)

"Here lies the purpose of the Church’s existence on earth and our communion with it. Someone might say: well, I go to church, observe fasts, partake in the Sacred Mysteries of Christ, have read the Gospel several times—therefore, I possess an aspiration towards the heavenly, and I have come to know God. No, this does not signify much; it is merely an external sign that does not always align with the truth. For example, there lies a person with a flush on his cheeks, and we think he is asleep. We approach—and he turns out to be dead. Thus, the external sign does not always correspond to the inner substance. As is the case with the Pharisees, whose outward life appears very righteous..." (source: link txt, page: 1249)