Professional Pastors

Written by cycleguy on October 28th, 2009

First, I am a pastor so there is no rock throwing at glass houses here.  Second, I realize that those of you who are not pastors may just kiss me (okay well not literally) goodbye.  You have other things to do.  I understand that but sincerely hope that you will continue reading on because in many ways the expectations of “normal” church people have caused this syndrome.  Third, I am not an expert in leadership and don’t even pretend to be.   Now that my disclaimers have been said, I want to address the title of this post.

Several years ago a movement went through ministry like a wave, no make that a tsunami.   Leadership principles were placed out there that transformed (seemingly overnight) the pastor into a CEO.  Many churches adopted a leadership model of the business world and pastors went from being shepherds to being acting like kings of the kingdom.   I realize some church models ally themselves with the “pastor as the head honcho” but I did not come from that sort of tradition nor do I believe it is scriptural.   I was asked to take on that role and in all honesty, I rebelled.  In fact, I rebelled myself right out the door.  🙂  About that time I read several books by Glenn Wagner (Escape From Church Inc and The Church You’ve Always Wanted).   I felt for once that someone understood what I was struggling with and gave me a different perspective.  I also read John Piper’s Brothers, We Are Not Professionals that hit the nail on the head.   Yesterday I received a blog from Chuck Swindoll that tackled this same question.  You can read it here. From Wagner’s books to this post by Swindoll, there has been reinforcement by God time after time that I was never called to be a professional; or to run a church like a professional; or take on the office of a professional; or to act like one.   God has called me all pastors to be shepherds of His people.  I don’t know… maybe I am just funny (no comment necessary) but to be in charge of hiring and firing (sometimes with no accountability) and to be in charge of every aspect of the church just doesn’t seem to gel with being a shepherd.  Besides, if I may borrow a phrase, that is above my pay grade.  🙂  Seriously, I don’t believe those things should even be in a pastor’s job description.  Nada.  Now…don’t get me wrong.  I don’t want total disconnect either.  I feel that as the pastor I have much to offer and should be allowed to say it, but to have total control?  Not this dude!  I don’t want it! Call me chicken but I don’t want the responsibility that comes with that type of power.  A pastor is not a professional anything.  He is a God-called man (women for some) whose first and primary calling is to be God’s spokesman in preaching/teaching God’s Word and “training others to do the work of ministry.”  (Eph.4:12)

So…now is your chance.  If you are a pastor, weigh in with your thoughts.  If you are a “lay person” I would like to hear what you think also.  (Hint: you should be doing your best to not allow your pastor to become a professional).  I hope to hear your thoughts.

 

10 Comments so far ↓

  1. Jim F. says:

    I have just gone from a church where the Pastor was changing to be the Big Man on Campus. It certainly did not work out for me as he has completely change all the staff (minus the secratary and a part time person who scheduled visits)in a two month period of time. In those changes, now that church is going through tough times and it is related (I will refrain from further comment on this side of things).
    Now I am in a church that looks to me to lead but only in certain areas, but not in others. In those “other” areas they want my thoughts but really that is all and really that is all I want to do. I see my calling as Eph. 4:11-12 as you point out. I want to allow those of the church who are blessed in certain areas to lead in those areas.
    I hope I make sense – but long story short – we are kindred spirits on this as well :).
    Good thoughts!

  2. cycleguy says:

    Thanks for the comment Jim. Kindred spirits? Is that scary or what? 🙂 I think you definitely have the right approach with allowing people with the gifts to function where they should. As for that former church: sad. Appreciate your thoughts.

  3. techgeek says:

    This is a hard one for me. I came into the Church with a mindset that the pastor was in charge. Not necessarily as the “CIO” but if spiritual things should outweigh nonspiritual things… then I should be able to trust that God will have put in place a pastor that would lead based on God’s direction and motives, not the pastor’s motives. With that said, I think accountability is absolute. If a pastor has publicly surrounded himself with a group of people that he leans on for accountability and guidance and those people are also being directed by the same God, then there should rarely be differences. Those differences should throw up a big red flag and should probably delay a decision. Its hard to know exactly what God’s plan is all the time, but I do believe that if there is unity and decisions being made do not contradict the Bible, then it is probably in line with God’s direction. … ok bringing this back in… I think having the pastor left completely out of leadership as an area of concern also. How can a pastor “Shepard” if He does not lead? A shepard of a flock of sheep is responsible for insuring the sheep do not go down the wrong path, to walk straight into a wolf’s den. Yes, it is a lot of responsibility, no the pay (on earth) doesn’t even come close. But the eternal pay, my friend, is where the prize is.
    Don’t sell yourself short, or better yet, don’t sell God short on his capability to use you as a leader… I would take a God Fearing, God Loving, pastor any day over that of a overpaid CIO.

  4. cycleguy says:

    techgeek: you have obviously thought this through and I definitely see where you are coming from. In fact, I agree with what you wrote and especially the “accountability is essential.” Glad you feel the way you do with that last sentence! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.

  5. Heidi Reed says:

    I am a member of a church that I love. The pastor gives us a meaty message straight out of the Bible every week and it he is amazing. God works through that man in astounding ways. He has a staff. A worship and life groups pastor, a family pastor, a children’s ministry leader, a financial and office type stuff pastor, a secretary, 2 elders who hold him accountable, myriad volunteers and leaders over other aspects of the church… he doesn’t even know how much so & so tithes or doesn’t tithe. He does know where the money goes and how much they need. He is told how much he’ll be paid by a board of directors each year. 🙂 I’m sure there is a lot more that I don’t even know about.

    He is our shepherd in this church. Well, Christ is, but you know what I mean. And, he’s doggone good at it. I love my church and I love (brotherly) my pastor and his family. His wife and I have become friends and she is a lovely and humble and funny woman. I pray for them often and I hope your congregation prays for you, Bill.

  6. cycleguy says:

    Heidi: Awesome the way you “promote” your pastor. He sounds like a man of God. In some cases they are rare. Hang on to him! And in your case, hang on to his wife! 🙂 Glad you honor him as you do, especially praying for him. Thanks for commenting.

  7. Cameyg says:

    Well….. I love my pastor! It’s safe to say I’d die for him. And live even more so because of him showing me God’s love in ways that only he can. I’m also one of his accountability peeps. We spend lots of time in prayer together. And I couldn’t ask for a better pastor than him.

    Now if he would just remember to flush the toilet.

    I could obviously share much more about pastors and my perspective on the whole thing. But my pastor and his middle son will be home soon for lunch. Better figure out what to serve them!

    Much love and dangerous prayers

  8. cycleguy says:

    Well Camey if it wasn’t for that daggone toilet then you would have a perfect pastor. I recommend that if that is all that he has going bad for him that you keep him. Shower him with love and appreciation. And maybe, just maybe, he will learn to flush. 🙂 Always good to hear from you. Love and dangerous prayers back at you.

  9. Paul says:

    Well, Bill, you did ask for comments. Since I am on the side lines again, and not preaching as a vocation, my opinion is just that, my opinion.
    Pastor, the term, shepherd, overseer, whatever, is the leader of the church. The NT refers to this position in the plural–those the elders or pastors should pastor. The preacher should lead by example and be under their authority.
    The “business” end of the church can not be run by part time, already employed men in the leadership roles, thus the preacher steps up and directs the affairs of the church. He is Bible college trained, put into the position of point man by not only the leadership, but by the congregation. Just ask about anyone, ‘whose the boss here at the church?’ The answer is usually–the preacher. But, he is not an elder, should not be an elder and so, he is not the pastor. But is he professional–yes, he gets the big bucks, ok the average size bucks. He ultimately is held responsible for everything, which is why the preacher is mobile by nature. If someone must move on, guess who moves on–not the elders usually, but its that paid professional.
    Now, is this right–that’s not the question. The question is “Is this Biblical?” Yes, it appears so, in of course my humble opinion.
    Great thoughts today Bill with the topic.

  10. cycleguy says:

    Well paul I must admit that you have given me some things to think about. Hey, how about coming to IN so we can sit down and talk about this? 🙂 And when we aren’t we can ride our bikes. Okay so we ride and then when we aren’t we talk? Thanks for giving your “outside” opinion. Always welcome to do so.