As a believer for almost 30 years, the last 7 as a pastor, I have seen a shift in what the role of the pastor is supposed to be. I have seen it trend from shepherd to CEO. Being on the "inside" as made this easier to see but you don't have to be on the inside to see it. There is a great emphasis on what it take to be a great leader rather than a great pastor. Websites, books and seminars focus on leadership. Many suggest "formulas" for success as a pastor. The thought being if we are great leaders then people will follow. We will build a great company, oops, church. This is true and not a bad thing. Part of being a pastor is leadership. But you can be a great leader but not a great pastor.
For some reason many pastors have looked to the world to show them how to lead people to Christ disciple them and build a strong church. Several suggest books used in the business world as a good resource for this. Is the bible not enough? I get that times have changed, but the bible is timeless. I have come out of the business world and can attest that while many of these principles can work in the church we should not look to this as our new model for pastors and church growth. We need to be different not the same. Those inside and outside of our churches want to see that. They're longing to see that. We need to return to being shepherds with the bible as our guide. Not use some formula we learned at a seminar or got out of a book. We should be bringing biblical principles into the work place, not the other way around. I have a friend who owns a very successful business. About twenty years ago they brought biblical principles into the work place including a mid week bible study. (Imagine that, a bible study offered at work? Many of our churches are cutting back such things). In spite of our economic times the business has been blessed. The point is God's principles still work. So why are we looking to incorporate worldly principles in our churches? Could it be because of how we measure success? Let's face it numbers are still big in the church. How many attend and what the bottom line on our balance sheet is still a very important measures of success. Maybe we should not use numbers as our measure of success but rather impact, on lives and on our community. Are we making a difference in these areas? Or is putting a large number in a data base the most important measure of success? Could it be because we are impatient? In the parable of the talents Jesus says "Well done good and faithful servant", we all know that part, but he goes on to say "you have been faithful with little, I will put you in charge of much" (paraphrase). I believe God rewards our faithfulness even more than our results. I think too many pastors become discouraged and quit because they are being presented a model of success that is not always attainable but more importantly not what God wants. When it doesn't happen they feel they have failed. Consequently they run to the seminars and books I mentioned earlier. They miss out on the fact that they have touched lives for the better. That they have made a difference. And those they have touched can go on to touch others. This would not have happened if they were not there. I know how that is. I pastor a small church. It can be discouraging from time to time. For me I look at it like my golf game. Most of the time I struggle on the course. But in every round I have that one shot, one just like the pros, that makes me want to come back for more. So just when I feel discouraged God will bring someone to me who says "Thank-you Pastor for that message. It was just what I needed". Or "Thank-you for this church being here". Those are the shots that keep me coming back. Faithfulness can be difficult, but God rewards it and is pleased with it.
I guess my point is this: Method is part of what we do, but the message is what's most important. But when we do look at method we should probably focus more on God's method for reaching and discipling people rather than man's.
So pastor, be a pastor, not a CEO. Follow the example of Christ, Paul and others in the bible. Lead by that example. I guarantee you people will follow.
Just one man's thoughts. What are yours?
Until next time,
Pastor Paul
1 comment:
Well said. Sad but true. If you look at where BIG churches are (not always, but usually) there is planning to find the growing areas. A church will NATURALLY grow where people are coming in to a community. (we don't here those figures or that truth)
But only God builds the True church. Wheat & Tares grow together. I still want to throw out good seed and let God do the rest.
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