If Someone Would Offer me $200,000, I'd Leave the Ministry Right Away.

If Someone Would Offer me $200,000, I’d Leave the Ministry Right Away.

Posted on May 03, 2010
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(53) comments

Hmmm... That's an interesting quote. Take a moment to read this: a recent study by Tufts University is telling stories about pastors who do NOT believe what they preach. In fact, some are true atheists...

Baptist Press recently did a story on this. Check out this quote:

"Ambiguity regarding who is a believer in Jesus and who is a nonbeliever, the report said, is a result of the pluralism that has been fostered by many religious leaders for at least a century."

Here's a bit more from the article:

One pastor, a Methodist, said he no longer believes that God exists, but his church members do not know that he is an atheist. Most of them, he said, don't even believe Jesus literally rose from the dead or literally was born of a virgin.

Another pastor, from the United Church of Christ, said he didn't even believe in the doctrinal content of the Christian faith at the beginning of his ministry, but he continues to preach as if he believes because it's the way of life he knows.

A Presbyterian pastor in the study said he remains in ministry largely for financial reasons and acknowledged that if he were to make known that he rejects most tenets of the Christian faith he would obliterate his "ability to earn a living this way."

A Church of Christ pastor explained how he continues to lead his church despite losing all theological confidence.

"Here's how I'm handling my job on Sunday mornings: I see it as play acting. I see myself as taking on the role of a believer in a worship service, and performing," the pastor said.

He describes himself as an atheistic agnostic and said he still needs the ministerial job and no longer believes hypocrisy is wrong.

A Southern Baptist pastor included in the study said he was attracted to Christianity as a religion of love and now has become an atheist. If someone would offer him $200,000, he said, he'd leave the ministry right away.

You can read the whole article here.

As I was reading this article, I thought... sure... there are always finge people... even pastors who leave the faith.

But the quote from the guy who said if someone would offer him enough money, he'd leave the ministry made me stop dead in my tracks.

Why?

Because I think a lot of pastors, while they haven't lost their faith (entirely), would leave the ministry in a heartbeat if they had the chance. But they feel trapped.

They'd leave the ministry for a number of reasons: the stress; the toll on the family; the 24 hour work clock; the low pay; church politics... you name it. But they don't leave because they don't know what else in the world they are skilled to do.

They say 'every man has his price'. What's yours?

$200,000?

Church work is an admirable vocation. But if you're not called to it... can I say this nicely?... get out.

If you're at the point that you don't believe what you preach anymore... get out.

If you're at a point where you'd take another position because it pays more money, has better hours, or has better, nicer people... get out.

And if you're convinced that you have no other marketable skills and the church gig is the only thing you know how to do... quick... take some online classes and learn a new skill.

And if you HATE what you're doing... please, by all means, quit today.

Am I wrong? Let me know.

Todd

Comments

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Shelton on Mon, May 03, 2010

I actually know of many pastors, young and old, who are struggling with believing what they are preaching. During seminary, at a Baptist seminary, I knew of many students who struggled with this. I can’t help but wonder if it was because we went through an entire M.Div program that spoke extensively of Biblical Criticisms and very little about the Holy Spirit. In other words, an entire generation of ministers were raised up to think that the power of their ministry will be in their brain’s ability to make sense of the Bible, God, and the Church. If one’s faith simply resides in their brain and they know not of the Spirit’s tangible power and movement in their lives and ministry, then it is a simple hop, skip, and a jump into atheism. Ministry, and life itself, begins and ends with one�s relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. My preaching classes spoke at length about sermon development, exegesis, and commentaries (all of which I like and use) but next to nothing about the role of prayer and the Spirit�s guidance in preparation and delivery. No wonder there are so many ministers who can go on preaching week after week without believing their own messages. And no wonder our churches are not exploding with new believer growth like the church in Acts.
Casey Sabella on Mon, May 03, 2010

The elephant in the room is how these ministers got into the ministry to begin with. One of the weaknesses of a seminary/bible school system is that men and women who are NOT called to minister are “ordained” by institutions whether God wants them in the ministry or not. Food for thought: How does the church at large ensure that men or women do not become ministers without an obvious calling from God?
Peter P on Mon, May 03, 2010

I think you’re dead right.

No-one should stay ‘in ministry’ if they don’t believe in what they’re doing. That’s just insulting and offensive to everyone.

I’m reminded though of George Mueller’s autobiography where he describes his time in seminary and particularly the time when he actually became a Christian. He was derided and attacked by his fellow students for believing in God, even though they were all there to get into careers as clergymen.

It seems things haven’t changed that much since then!
A. Amos Love on Mon, May 03, 2010

Todd - Thanks

This is a very telling study about a favorite topic.

Seems these guys with the “Title” pastor are frauds. Yes?

I’m in agreement ...
If they don’t believe what they preach - they should quit.
If they don’t believe the Bible - they should quit.

What is popular is not always “Truth.”
What is “Truth” is not always popular.

Pastors??? In the Bible???

Can anyone, here, name one person, in the Bible,
who was called - pastor/reverend?

Or, name one person who had the “Title” pastor/reverend?

Or, name one congregation “led” by a pastor/reverend?

If todays “pastor” is not a “Title” or “position” in the Bible;
they should all quit.

Why do we, the ekklesia of God, continue to “perpetrate the myth?”

Jesus - return to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
CS on Mon, May 03, 2010

Casey Sabella:

“How does the church at large ensure that men or women do not become ministers without an obvious calling from God?”

If we enforced the statutes in 1 Timothy and Titus more stringently, that would help greatly. Especially 1 Timothy 3:6-7 for those who just come out of seminary, for instance.

I remember hearing the great missionary Paul Washer talking about preaching in churches and then immediately being asked by congregations to join on as a pastor. He said something like, “How can you even offer it to me without examining things like how I love and care for my wife or knowing my character.”

—
CS
A. Amos Love on Mon, May 03, 2010

Ouch - that sounded kind of harsh,

Please forgive me.
CS on Mon, May 03, 2010

A Amos:

Seriously, drop it. We’ve run your objections into the ground in that other thread recently. It’s obvious you’re not going to acquiesce to pastoral leadership, which the rest of us regard as being a biblical view, so please don’t drag this thread down into the mire.
Peter Hamm on Mon, May 03, 2010

CS, good thought.

Perhaps one trend we are seeing, which is “promotion” from within the congregation, might be helpful. We’ve had two people come on in the last few years here as pastors out of the marketplace. One, to work with Children and Youth as our “Nexgen” pastor, and the other as a site pastor for our small second location.

Amos, your comments are well-meaning but misguided. There are clearly people who are pastors in the New Testament. Timothy and Titus come to mind first. You are making a weak semantic argument… again… And I am not a fraud.
rbud on Mon, May 03, 2010

I’m with Leonard and others—there’s no surprise about the issue, although I’m surprised that only $200K would do it (I’d negotiate for much more). I’ve heard many preachers that were spiritually shallow, uninspired, and consequently uninspiring. It’s no surprise to me that there are unbelievers among the flock, and I’ve known some personally. I, too, have doubts about doctrine and interpretations (so many to choose from?), theological bents, and denominational one-size-fits-all mentality. For many, the institutional church is a hindrance to their spirituality, and puts an opague facade in their sight. I think the institutional church does a poor job generally promoting spiritual growth. What’s more, I’m a natural born skeptic about almost everything until proven. But, never, ever has my faith been at risk, nor my zeal for LJC diminshed, even in my darkest, anti-church days.
Bonnie on Mon, May 03, 2010

Good post, Todd. You too, Jason.

Several things come to mind:

1. Is this contributing to plateaued/declining church attendance and membership. Pastors who aren’t saved cannot be filled with the Spirit. If not filled with the Spirit can a pastor minister in a New Testament way? (Not implying that you are not saved if you pastor a plateaued or declining church. But how can a local body of believers flourish if the pastor has no personal relationship with Christ?)

2. Does this explain why some pastors treat each other the way they do? (See #1)

3. Does It also explain much of the findings David Kinnaman recorded in “unChristian”? (Yep, see #1.) Pastors may not clone themselves, but their flock certainly shares some spiritual DNA. Do hypocrites mainly beget hypocrites?
A. Amos Love on Mon, May 03, 2010

Peter

Nice to hear from you again. I thought you had given up on me.

Sorry - Wasn’t talking about you.

I don’t believe you are a fraud. Believe you love Jesus.

I’ve met many, christian in name only, and so called �pastors,�
like those in the article, who really don’t believe much at all.

Also met many who do love Jesus, who really do believe,
But,
are stuck, like I was for many years, in what Jesus warned about…
“The Traditions of Men” that “nullify� the word of God.”

Mark 7:13 KJV -
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition…

Mark 7:13 ASV -
Making �void� the word of God by your tradition…

Mark 7:13 NIV -
Thus you �nullify� the word of God by your tradition…
A. Amos Love on Mon, May 03, 2010

CS

Like what you say. We are in much agreement with stringent…

�If we enforced the statutes in 1 Timothy and Titus
more stringently, that would help greatly.�

Stringent meaning = of regulations, requirements, or conditions,
strict, precise, and exacting.

Here�s a quick list of the �qualifications� for “elder/overseer”
for any that are wondering about 1 Tim and Titus.

Titus 1:6 **If** any be blameless…
Titus 1:7 For a bishop “must be” blameless…

That “must be” sounds kinda “stringent” to me also.

The Bible talks about bishops, and elders.
And qualifications for bishops and elders.
Can you have one without the other?

**blameless—- unrebukeable, without fault.
husband of one wife—- married, male.
rules well his own house—- have a family, children.
not greedy of filthy lucre—- Not greedy for money.
vigilant—- no excessive wine, calm in spirit.
sober—- of a sound mind, self controlled.
of good behavior—- modest, unassuming, reserved.
no striker—- not quarrelsome, contentious.
not a brawler—- abstaining from fighting.
not self willed—- not self pleasing, not arrogant.
not soon angry—not prone to anger.
temperate—- having power over, restraining.
**holy—- undefiled by sin, free from wickedness.
**just—- righteous, virtuous, innocent, faultless.

Not only do elders have to qualify but also their children.

�having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly�

**faithful—- believing, one who trusts in God’s promises.
**not accused of riot—- Strongs - asotia—- unsavedness.
...an abandoned dissolute life, lost to principle.
**unruly—- disobedient.
Chuck Anderson on Mon, May 03, 2010

(Phil 1:18) But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Peter Hamm on Mon, May 03, 2010

Amos,

I’m thankful that I don’t subscribe to your brand of legalism. That’s all I have to say.
CS on Mon, May 03, 2010

A Amos:

My pastors meet the qualifications, and I submit to them.

And even if you met someone who met the qualifications, I doubt that you would submit to that person’s authority. I bet that you would look for evidence of fault with a critical spirit so that at the first minor error, you would say, “Ah ha! So, you are flawed!”

—
CS