MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Five Landmines Pastors Should Avoid

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, September 05, 2005
Viewed 172
(21) comments so far

2. Co-mingling of Funds
It is unlawful and inappropriate to use designated funds for budget expenses, or in any other way taking funds intended for one purpose and using it for another.

3. Misuse of Church Credit Card
It is wrong for a pastor to use the church credit card for personal expenses or in excess of the limit the church has stipulated.

4. Misuse of Church Resources
It is wrong for a pastor to use church resources for personal projects whether on home property or any other personal endeavor. This is especially inappropriate when no reimbursement is made to the church.

5. Misuse of Pastoral Authority
It is inappropriate for a pastor to make decisions arbitrarily about new endeavors, missions, etc., without church discussion and approval. One example would be to take up offerings for unauthorized projects.

FOR DISCUSSION: Have you ever been entangled in one of these landmines? What were the consequences? How do you make sure you steer clear from these areas?

(The whole article can be read here at Lifeway.com)

Dr. James T. Draper shares five different areas that pastors should avoid that could serve as potential trouble spots for pastors. Watch out for these ‘landmines’: 1. Nepotism
This is a very sensitive area. When a minister hires his wife, siblings, children, spouses of his children, etc., it opens up some areas of concern. I believe it is inappropriate unless it comes as a demand from the church itself…

Comments

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Byron woods on Tue, September 06, 2005

Have you forgotten Moses, Aaron and Miriam were brothers and sisters playing an active role in the leadership of God’s people? Most if not all of the priest and levites were related. It is very sad that we have conformed to the world’s way of thinking. Something is wrong when our view and the worldview is often the same. The world does not accept or understand the principles of divine leadership. It is a fact and truth that God deos nothing by committee, but by leadership. From Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses and Jesus, God used leadership and not committees. Often you speak as if God has given the congregation the authority to lead the pastor instead of the pastor leading the church. In the Garden of Eden it was the body (women) that was allowed to take the leadership and when God’s appointed leader submitted to the supporting case God’s divine order was changed. What do you think would have happen if the group (congregation - Acts 7:38) which came out of Egypt would have rejected and cast God’s plan aside and voted their own. Oh we don’t have to guess because it did happen. Satan was the first to rebel against leadership and when we seek to give authority too people God has not given it to we are whether knowingly or unknowingly aiding the plan of Satan. God never gave the church the right to pastor the pastor. We often use Act 6 to justify our actions for congregational or deacons government of the church - which is very incorrect. The people was walking in obedience toward the apostles and brought forth seven men so the apostles could “appoint over this business”; not the business. Yes, by all means I believe in accountability and structure, but we have changed God’s divine order for church leadership. WE have become people centered rather than God centered in the church. In the family there is a Spiritual leader and an earthly leader, in the nation their were a Spiritual and an earthly leader, likewise in the military and in most aspect of life. Maybe, just maybe this is the reason in-spite of so many churches, on every corner; mega church here and there; one church in three location - sin is at an all time high. WE (churches) are more concern with what works than WE are with the will of God. I acknowledge that there are good leaders and bad leaders, but please don’t throw the baby out with the dirty bath water. Please write back and use scripture to support congregational government.
Terry Lange on Tue, September 06, 2005

I think nepotism is very destructive and it sends a subtle message that the only qualified people that can serve on a church staff are those who are related to the senior pastor.

It leads to unbelievable abuses.

I have been a member of two churches where nepotism was openly practiced.

Where in the Scriptures do we find the church being treated like the family business??
tw on Wed, September 07, 2005

I’ve definitely seen nepotism at it’s finest

from a distance (the Osteen’s, Joyce Meyer Ministries, etc) and have lived and worked with nepotism @ it’s worst. I think the greatest key is accountability and discipline. Leaders need to make sure there is no favoritism, it gets reaaaaaaaaal ugly.

Also, an awesome book “Good to Great” talks a lot about nepotism—Mainly what I took from it is this: Don’t have wrong people in positions if they’re not gifted to fill those positions….even if they are family.

The $ issues….you’d like to think everyone would know these and avoid them,

sadly you had to mention them.

Blessings~

tw
Presbyter Harry on Fri, September 09, 2005

Good point by Rev.Rhoades I agree that it is better to have checks and a paper trail, and would recommend doing away with credit cards.

As for the remark by Chris S:

“After serving at several types of churches varying from the the Baptist faith, to Pentecostal (Church Of God In Christ), to Holiness, to Apostolic, and finally to Non-Denominational”...These are not several types of churches but variations of non-liturgical protestantism. There is no such thing as “non-demoninational,” for those churches that claim to be so are simply one-congregation denominations.

Regarding nepotism, however, if the two have become one flesh, is it nepotism for a wife to share in his ministry? Do we not have examples of the Presbytera from the earliest centuries? As for children, it is perfectly natural for them to labor in their Father’s vineyard wherever they are, whether their father is the appointed steward or not. However, I must agree that this does not involve extra salaries and “family business.” It involves them more as volunteers, where the Pastor is making enough to support the family. Once a pastor starts appointing family members, not because they are the only volunteers for a position, but rather to a position where there is financial gain to be derived, he loses credibility.

That being said, the congregationalism as the premise underlying point #5 is unScriptural, and “abuses” for things “unapproved” by committee, I must likewise disagree with. Is ordination from God or from man, for “we must obey God rather than man.” He has to inform the people, but does he have to “get approval” from them. No, in fact, the leader gets up before the people, informs them what needs to be done, and sees if there are any valid objections. If so he takes that into account. Acts 1-14 shows, not committeeism, but leadership, and acts 15 showed not a committee but an Apostolic Council meeting, not parish council, for, as St. Paul truly said, not all are Apostles. The pastor cannot be leading the sheep if the sheep are “pushing him” to go one way or another. The early Church model is a college of presbyters around a chief presbyter (bishop). St. James and St. Peter in Acts 15 did not ask the people what they thought, but rather came with power. Likewise, the Ananias incident, and even before, the people brought their contributions to the Apostles and the Apostles distributed them. When that inhibited the spread of the word, the 7 deacons did it. The pastor certainly needs direction and sometimes approval, but not from those they lead, but from other Apostolically ordained leaders who know the Scripture and the principles handed down. The collegiality of the Apostles NEVER rested on approval from the people, even though they did “convince, exhort, and reprove.” There is not one instance of seeking approval from the people, for all authority comes from God. In fact, every instance of congregationalism that came about, especially in the Old Testament (re Moses et al) was punished by the good Lord.
Rev. Timothy Carpenter on Thu, September 15, 2005

I have read many of these and have not responded until now. I do believe that there is a fine line between what God ordered with the Levitical Priesthood and what you are calling “nepotism”. Were not the Levites ALL family? If family is employed because of their gifts to the body, and the same accountability is in place as with other employees, I say AMEN. However is any other motive is in effect then I condemn it!
Abbey on Mon, October 24, 2005

Well as far as nepotism goes, what do you do when NO ONE wants to assume a leadership positions? I am the Worship Leader’s wife and a decent leader to boot! I have literally been voted into the Ladies Ministry Leadership position when I stepped out of the room for a moment. I kid you not. I am not thrilled with that tactic (it was more a joke) but we didn’t have a leader and obviously no one else wanted to get off their fannies and actually lead, so I said ok. I prayed yesterday for God to release me from this obligation, but he said not yet. What do you do when no one WILL step up and lead and you are a capable person and the position needs to be filled?