What Kind of Pastor are You?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Sun, October 31, 2004
- Viewed 355
- (23) comments so far
You want things to happen, but don't believe you have the time to hold every church member's hand and teach them how to do the job properly.
You may even say, If I have to take the time to show these people how to do this, I might as well do it myself, because doing it will take a fraction of the time teaching it will.
The trouble with this thinking is, by not taking the time to teach the people how to perform the task or ministry to acceptable standards, you're going to have to do the job forever. Think: short term pain for long term gain.
Yes, it may take repeating the instructions several times, or modifying the procedure the people use to accomplish the ministry before the outcome meets your expectations. But look at the big picture. Once one person gets it they'll be able to teach it to the next person, freeing you up even further.
2. The My Way is the Only Way Pastor
You micro manage your staff and congregation, making sure they do things exactly the way you want them done every step of the way.
You believe you've worked all the bugs out and found the perfect method for accomplishing the desired result. And maybe you have. Maybe you've spent years and mega dollars perfecting your methods.
If this is the case, explain the process you went through to develop your system. Explain why you insist on your method being followed to the letter. Most people will respect this once they understand it.
If, on the other hand, you are convinced your way is the best way just because that's the way you've always done it, prepare to be astounded once you loosen the reins a bit.
It can be much more effective and efficient to explain to a person what end result you expect (quality, quantity), what restrictions they must deal with (time or budget), and then leave them to do the job.
It's always a good idea to set up frequent check-in points to reassure yourself that the job is on target or to deal with any problems that may have come up.
3. The You're on Your Own Pastor
The opposite of the My Way is the Only Way pastor, your staff and church may feel they have no idea what it is you expect until it's too late.
You assign tasks or projects, but your people just don't have enough direction to accomplish them to the standards you expect. They may feel incompetent when they have to ask you for more details or instruction.
If you have any inkling this may describe you, the solution may be to make sure the outcomes are clear. Give them ample opportunity to clarify what procedures they'll use, what standards must be met and any other requirements such as budget or timelines.
Set up check-in meetings along the way and let your people know either where to get additional information or when it's convenient for them to get any further clarification they may need from you, once they begin the project or task.
This is especially important when you assign a task to a new person or assign something unusual to an experienced team member.
4. The Seagull Pastor
You guessed it! This pastor flies in squawking, poops all over everybody and then flies off again, often still squawking about something.
Think about it. Do you believe no news is good news? Do you notice only the bad things your staff and church members do? Do you wonder why nobody ever seems to take any initiative?
Staff and church members do need to be corrected. Privately, immediately, and humanely. They also need praise when they've done a good job. Publicly, immediately, and with passion. What you focus on, grows!
Fear is a huge demotivator. When people know the pastor cares about them, and will treat them fairly, they're much more likely to perform well and take innovative risks.
Well... there you have it... What kind of pastor are you? Does this help you at all to clarify where you are at? Do pointing out these 'don'ts' help you know better what you need to 'do' this week? I'd love to hear your comments. Please click the comments link below.
And you can read all of Ruby's writing on this subject (without my modifications!) here.
I read an interesting article this week by Ruby Curran discussing different types of bosses. I think what Ruby has to say also fits well for different type of pastors. The ideal pastor inspires their people to achieve and produce exceptional results for the Kingdom every day. Sometimes when we look at the don’ts, the do’s become more obvious. Here are some highlights from this article, which I’ve re-written somewhat, specifically for pastors. Take an open, honest look at these four less-than-ideal types of pastors and you may find ways to begin to become the pastor you’d really like to be…
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Comments
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Lynn K Hansen on Mon, November 01, 2004
I was a manager for a display company. I hired the best people I could find and paid them the best I could to attract and keep them. I noticed that, even though they were the best, they still needed me there. I came up with this motto that has served me well, “There’s a difference between abdication and delegation.” This one too has been important, “People need to feel that Dad is home.” When the person in charge of the whole enterprize is available and pops in once in awhile to see how things are going and to give encouragement, problems are handled before they get to be a big deal and people feel that they are cared for. Business used to call it, “Management by walking around.” It doesn’t take much time at all to pop into work groups and committee meetings and means so much to the people there to hear a word of appreciation and encouragement…not a long devotional however! Just pop in and out so they can keep going.
Servant of Christ on Mon, November 01, 2004
Dear Todd Rhoades,
I think your comments in your article “What Kind of Pastor are You?” are insulting to church members. Your very first statement under the “No Time” pastor, insinuates that church members are stupid and can’t do anything without the pastor holding their hand and teaching them how to do a job properly. You go on to say “yes, it may take repeating the instructions several times, or modifying the procedure…..before the outcome meets your expectations.” That is the very kind of arrogant attitude that turns people off from going to church. Treat the members of the congregation like first graders? You and pastors like you need to come down off of your pedestals and stop looking at the members of your church as ignorant servants that are there to do your bidding. We are members of God’s church because we are all His children and we should ALL be SERVING Him. Not looking to be served. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to show by example how He wants us to behave. You need to stop insulting the intelligence of those who come to church to worship God and serve Him. You are doing a disservice to God to encourage pastors to look at themselves as the only ones in the church who know how to do anything right. Have you read the book by Max Lucado, “It’s Not About Me”? If not, please do. You and others like you are not serving God, you are serving yourself.
Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mon, November 01, 2004
That list could certainly go on for a long time. I see myself as a CIO and Cheer Leader, not a CEO and Child Care Director. Actually, shepherd is the best word though pastor does takes in the concept of overseer from a spiritual aspect not a business one.
From a different perspective, the congregation, I have said that there are basically only two views of a pastor. The first is the pedestal pastor. People place him up so high that vertigo is bound to get him sooner or later and usually when he falls so do they creating a huge mess.
The second is the Bounty towel pastor. People bring him into a mess and when he starts to fall apart from soaking up the disaster they toss him in the can and bring in another one to finish the job. Usually, there is very little left to clean up but the new guy gets all the accolades and is then put on a pedestal and the cycle starts over.
Personally, I feel there are very few pastors anymore. The Church is basically being run like a busines with their CEO and Board fo Directors rather than growing as a Body and being cared for by the Great Physician and His physician assistants.
Some of the business churches are all about the numbers and the bottom line. Others are in the entertainment industry but few are true churches with real pastors.
Pastors stay for life while the CEOs are always looking for bigger churches, more pay and fancier titles. Pulpit committees are looking for the CEO with the best track record over the last five years showing a definite upward trend in numbers and finances. Churches want hirelings but then are mad when they get one. Go figure.
Average stay of a member is 2.1 years and 3 years for a pastor with the youth pastor coming in at 1.5. My guess is that these figures would come close to the turnover rates in business of CEOs, VPs and employees. With companies looking for the biggest bang for the buck and employees the better benefit packages they mirror the Church or rather the Church mirrors them.
God called me to pastor a church not run a business either service or entertainment. I reckon that says what kind of pastor I am.
Todd on Mon, November 01, 2004
Good morning, ‘Servant’,
I think you misread what this was trying to say. This part of the article was saying that many pastors, rather than allowing people to do the ministry, think it’s just easier to do the job themselves. I’ve often falen into this trap, not because I think the laity are ‘stupid’ as you suggest (again… your words, not mine or the author of this article), but because many times its just easier to do the work yourself so you know that it gets done. It’s always easier in the short term to do something yourself than to show someone else what is expected. That doesn’t assume ‘stupidity’ of the person doing the job, but more the inability of the leader to give up responsibility.
You use words like ‘stupid’, ‘arrogant attitude’, ‘first-graders’, ‘come down off your pedestals’, ‘ignorant servants’, ‘do your bidding’, ‘insulting intellegence’, ‘doing a disservice’, ‘you are not serving God, you are serving your self’. Wow… it’s not even noon on Monday yet… am I way off here, or have you been burned in the past? If you’ve been burned by an abusive pastor, then I would encouarge you not to put all pastors in that same mold. It’s just not healthy.
Any comments? Am I way off here?
Todd
Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mon, November 01, 2004
Todd, I think you hit the nail on the head. Servant has had some high and mighty preachers and has been burned. Been there, done that and wore out the T-shirt. Servant did miss the point totally. Humor to a burned person is like throwing salt on third degree burns sometimes. I can use the same illustration on six people and I have a good chance of at least one getting all bent out of shape while the other five see my point perfectly.
Servant, go to my web site and you will see that I am not on any pedestal. I think you got Todd all wrong here and you owe him an apology. Fuss and cuss at me if ya unt to. I can take it. Maybe I can help you some. Shalom!
Kevin Rose on Mon, November 01, 2004
I was organist at a church (full-time) where the pastor would yell at me for every minor infraction. I would live in fear of making the least little mistake because I knew I would come under his wrath. The job went to part-time, I got an offer to go back into engineering, and I left the position (on good terms with a going-away party, by the way) and have never been back to that church. I never want to set foot in there again as long as I live.
I performed worse because of the fear I lived under. I have a master’s degree in sacred music, but this guy made me feel really stupid.
I have a part-time position in a small Episcopal Church that really appreciates me. Even so, I’m considering pulling out of church music altogether (and out of church). I’ve had it with church politics and with all the ensuing nastiness. I will worship God in other ways.
Ricky Parker on Mon, November 01, 2004
Good Morning Brother Todd
I have probable been all four of your pastor types. Well I can’t remember pooping all over everybody although I have caused some messes.
I am now working as a missionary in southern Mexico hopeing not to cause a mess. I am working with two pastors one a young men and another an aged pastor. I some what minister as you do, encouraging pastors. The older pastor an Indian has asked me to work with him and I am. He has 7 church under his responsablity. I preach and teach in the churches and disciple the youth. Sorry to say for some reason the leadership in the church has changed several times. The pastor gathers leaders from the church, problems happen and then serveral leaders leave the church. This has happen 3 times that I know about. The pastor is a “my way or no way” pastor. He started the church, ministers one on one with every personal need in the church etc. etc. I don’t know why he hasn’t burned out. I have shared with him about the G12 ministry but his fear is trusting leaders not to start their own church.
We have been friends now for many years I’m not sure how to help my brother in his leadership growth. After doing things the same way for many years it’s hard to see any other way. For now I try to encourage and pray daily for him.
Perry Perrett on Mon, November 01, 2004
Todd,
Good article. Like Ricky I have probably been one these at some time during my ministry and hope that I have learned from the experience (and I don’t think I pooped on anyone either).
When it comes to these types of pastoral leaderships discussed, I do not believe it is an intentional act on the part of the pastor, but something that slowly builds over a period of time. Pastors need articles like these to reflect on who they are and how are they acting toward others. Many times a pastor may not even know how he is acting and may even think he is a good leader when in fact he is causing more harm than good. Being a good pastor is not easy these days because of the changing role of the pastor in many churches to the CEO pastor. Being a shepherd is becoming a lost art in our society today. Maybe some articles like this one can help some pastors see their weakness and work on making it a strength.
In the last church I pastored I was the Bounty towel pastor that got tossed out after 18 months. That took place in early 2003 and I have been looking to return to ministry which has proven to be a hard thing to do. Churches seem to be leary of the Bounty towel pastor that gets thrown into the trash. When I read an article like this it helps me reflect and take a long look at myself and any changes I need to make so as not to make the mistake of falling into one of these types.
Heidi Olinger on Mon, November 01, 2004
This article “What kind of Pastor are you” puts the focus on the wrong subject. While it’s true that there are too many ego-maniacs running around forgetting that GOD put them there or that they put themselves there whether they are supposed to be there or not, there are still wonderful God-fearing pastors and THEY need to be the main focus. Remember: to whom much is given- much is required. God made me a pastor of sorts when he put a spirit of evangelism in me, but I don’t use that to lord it over people. My concern is the condition of their souls and being willing to let God use me to spread his word to them. ALL the glory goes to him. Many of the pastors today have forgotten why they are in the pulpit in the first place. They don’t let GOD lead the sermon subject or music; they try to do it all themselves. They have forgotten that God instituded deacons and elders for the purpose of keeping things going in the church and have actually turned the CHURCH into an idol. The true church is the people inside the building- not the building, codes, doctrines, or denominations themselves.
God is going to hold them to account for every person they’ve injured on their ego trip and he’s going to judge them harshly, unless they repent and turn back to him.
The subject that should be represented is what are the pastors doing for God and are they walking in the example that Christ set for us when he walked this earth. That’s the issue, not showing disrespect to the leaders that God has put in charge, who need to learn to delegate responsibility when it is needed and appropriate.
This site is important and good, but please try to focus on the positive and constructive aspects of the church and the CHURCH (the body of Christ). There’s enough negativism in our world. Let’s try to keep it out of the church. “Go ye forth and be ye separate.”
God bless you all.
Vicki Scheib on Mon, November 01, 2004
Hi Todd
THANKS for the article. It has provided the impetus I needed to consider some current ministry challenges in a different light. Keep up the good work!
Bernie Dehler on Mon, November 01, 2004
Interesting take, to learn from other’s mistakes.
I think it’s better, though, to set the positive standard, and then try to reach it. For example, for delegation, define what it is and how to do it. Then see how you measure up. I think it’s better than showing a bad example, then giving a few tips on how to improve.
“Servant” obviously didn’t read the whole thing. He read the intro remarks, got turned-off, and thought the rest of the article was in the same spirit. He didn’t get the format (which first explains the bad, then how to improve it).
If the positive goal was first mentioned, “Servant” wouldn’t have been set-off.
...Bernie
http://www.FreeGoodNews.com
AF on Mon, November 01, 2004
I think that you are right on about the “less than ideal” pastors. Many Churches would be shocked to find that their pastor would fall directly under one of these labels. I know, I am serving under one. I am sad to say that I serve under a “seagull” pastor and I stay frusterated. The sad thing is that this pastor seems to really dislike any “successes’ that other staff enjoy. He never tells them he is pleased with any of their work and is constantly looking to “poop” on us. Thank you for this article, I really needed to hear this today. Blessings to you.
AF
Pastor Art on Mon, November 01, 2004
Unfortunately, and this isn’t a criticism directed at the author of the article, but most people are trained to point out the negative in everything, and their pastor is no exception.
There are some folks who would put Jesus into one of these four categories if He were physically their pastor. There are folks I could never do right by because all they see are faults, inabilities, and problems. They never see the positive side of my ministry, or anything else for that matter.
This is one of the downfalls of the church growth movement and the television mega-ministries. We demand excellence out of a country preacher in a country church, but neither the pastor nor the church has the ability to reach the level of excellence that larger churches and ministries can attain to.
I do agree that if we fall into any of these categories, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to change us.
Lori Danielson on Mon, November 01, 2004
I’m sorry about Kevin’s rough time with a demanding and negative pastor. I am a woman minister of music and have faced my share of interesting church situations and pastors. May I encourage you to look beyond the politics and nastiness of the congregation right into the face of Jesus and continue to play for His glory. It’s not easy, I know, I’ve been there and some days I’m right there with you. Keep your eyes on Jesus, He will never let you down.
Bob on Mon, November 01, 2004
Where’s the pastor who is doing (some)good? Each model seems to point out the wrong, and suggest the pastor is not doing anything right. I confess I have been the “No Time” , “My Way” and “Seagull” pastor ... at times. I like to think I do not stay in any of these models. I also like to think that I do some things okay and work with staff and lay members okay at times also. Not perfect, nor looking to be. Pastoring is not easy by any means ... I pray a lot asking for wisdom to lead, guide, direct and above all be an example to the flock. There are days I struggle and days I do well. If one has not been a “pastor” they should reserve their comments and pray and support their pastor. It is the call that keeps me going, not the job.
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