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What Should a Pastor Drive?  Hummer or Honda?

Orginally published on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 3:00 PM
by Todd Rhoades

Hummer_1 Leadership Journal Online recently posted the question... Does it really matter what kind of vehicle a pastor drives?  They list a few pastor's viewpoints you can read here.

You know, over the years, I've heard this topic come up several times, and I'm really not sure why.  I could really care less what the pastor drives; but some people really make a big issue of it.

What has been your experience?  Have you ever been chided because of the vehicle you drive?  Are you cautious of what other people will think when you car shop?  Is that cautiousness valid?  And most of all... does it really matter?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Todd


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 TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 11 Comments:

  • Posted by

    The make of a car does matter to some. I agree it should match your personality. However, some think that anything that runs may be to extravagent. A hummer may be extreme with self indulgence, but who is to say that a pastor can’t take his family in a convertable on a Saturday afternoon ride. I felt connected while watching the movie Signs several years ago and the retired minister Mel Gibson drove a late model Taurus just like mine in the movie. It is weird how cars connect to our personality.

  • Posted by

    Is it Friday already? (JK) Shouldn’t be about the type of car the pastor drives but the heart in which does so in sphere of influence. Most pastors I know have their wives drive the nicer vehicles anyway.

  • Posted by

    Before I moved here I bought a brand new SUV (mid-20Ks range, not extravagant) and sometimes I even think that it soo much. I don’t want to make anybody stumble, and maybe nobody should care what I drive, but often it’s a reflection of what I put value on. If you just bought a brand new high-end luxury car for instance, and you don’t give any money of any consequence to charity, there’s a problem. If you’re driving an old beat up little car that’s not very safe and toting your family around in it, that’s another message.

    Bottom line, everybody should use the same criteria in buying a car, I think. What do I NEED… Remember, it’s NOT an investment, it’s an expense. As far as buying a car to express your personality… I don’t know, I’ve never thought that way. I bought the SUV because I needed a big station wagon to haul my dogs around in and had a family member in the business who gave me a ridiculous deal.

  • Posted by

    OK, after 1o years in the car business I am now a pastor so this really hits close to home.  It is not about what other people think, and it is not about how much I spend.  It is about what you want and can afford.  Just because some people value a car more that others does not make them less spiritual.  It is probably not a good idea to drive a Mercedes in a Ford community, but it says more about the maturity of other if they have a problem with what you drive.

  • Posted by Randy Ehle

    I first ran across a question like this 15 years ago when working at the European HQ of Campus Crusade for Christ near the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and France.  My boss was a 50-something Finnish woman who shared how concerned she had been about what her supporters would think of her driving a Mercedes.  Then she realized that a Mercedes in Germany was roughly equivalent to the Toyotas that many of her supporters back home in Finland drove.

    Paul, as usual, has good counsel - I shouldn’t let my freedom become a stumbling block for those less mature than me, but neither should I necessarily allow another person’s rules limit my freedom.

  • Posted by

    How much does a brand new 06 or 07 Hummer cost?  Ever see the movie Schindler’s List??? wink

  • Posted by

    Drive what you need.  If you live in the snow better have a 4 wheel drive.  If you live in Southern Ca. better have one that can get you from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds or you’ll die on the freeway! grin Bottom-line for me… people who generally have a problem with the cars others drive are envious and need to look at the commandments again… I think there is one that says “do not covet!” I know everyone covets my “mini-van!” grin

    Drive well,
    Al

  • Posted by

    What about HOW and not the WHAT? Okay. I’ll go sit in the corner now!

  • Posted by

    A 1996 Chevy Truck! with 136000 miles on it.

  • Posted by

    Oh yeah,

    Brother Al,

    Having been to San Diego for a conference or two, I think you’re skimping on the horsepower....  0-60 isn’t nearly fast enough in 3 seconds… 75 mph at the end of the ramp is closer to the need.

  • Posted by

    Even if I don’t agree with everything Tony Campolo says, he makes me re-evaluate my default world in light of Jesus, and I appreciate him for that.

    http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/money/drive_bmw.php

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