The Pastor Problem
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, July 12, 2005
- Viewed 216
- (42) comments so far
Pastors.
That's the number one weakness in the modern church today. Paid pastoral leadership is the reason the church is weak, inefficient and to a point...neutered.
Now remember, I made my living (is that what that was called?) from being a paid staff member for over 16 years. In the beginning, I felt that I was vital to the church's development and growth. That without me, the church body couldn't function. Over the years, that changed as I begin to read such books as Frank Tillipaugh's "Unleashing the Church". The goal of pastoral ministry became leading and training so that the people were equipped to do the work. That sounds like a good goal, however....
Are we that arrogant as pastors that we think if we didn't exist that people wouldn't figure out how to have church by themselves....without our leadership? Pastors, do we think that we need to create meetings, groups and activities to keep the church people "happy" and "connected"? Do we think that believers wouldn't figure out a way to get together regularly, for sharing, communion, mutual encouragement and to share their faith stories? Do we not think that the life force of the believer, the Holy Spirit, might not be "set free" to work in and through Christ-followers to accomplish his work here on earth?
Think about it. Whenever you pay someone to do a task or job, what are you really doing? You are asking them to take responsibility for something you don't want to do. Isn't this the American way??
If I need my yard landscaped or manicured, I hire someone to do it for me. Problem solved. If I want my house cleaned from top to bottom, I could do it, but why when I can pay someone $60 to come in and really do it well...and then I no longer have to get on my hands and knees to clean that darn toilet grime.
Now move this analogy to the American church. Whenever there is a job to do, we look to the person we hired to take care of it for us. To quote an article I read recently, "The pastor, by his mere presence, causes an unhealthy dependence upon himself for ministry, direction and guidance."
Even in today's most modern of churches, those labeling themselves as "emerging", the problem persists. Recently, one young local church (let's call it ABC Church) that I followed from it's infancy, had a tough decision to make. After about three years of existence, I heard that they were deciding whether to A) keep paying the pastor or B) keep paying for a place to meet each week. My question is...why do you need either? This isn't an indictment, just a question.
Now ABC Church was going to be "cutting edge". It's leadership from day one said that they were going to create a community independent of the "old ways" of doing church. Yet in the end, they were faced with a dilemma that all churches face...paid staff and building space. Doesn't sound very innovative to me.
At the beginning ABC Church said they were going to set up a church in a way that "no one else was doing". I am sorry people...but that just doesn't happen unless you choose some radical departures from the "old ways".
So here's a question. If all of the pastors in all of the churches resigned or were "let go"...what would happen? Or, to rewrite a line from the old Beatles song...."Imagine there's no pastors. It's easy if you try!"
Would the church flourish or struggle? If you choose flourish then why do we have pastors? If you choose struggle, then how well are our pastors truly doing their jobs of "equipping, training and leading" their congregations?
Before all of my pastor friends send me hate mail, I don't think it is all your fault. I think the church culture has caused you to function as CEO's and not pastors. We need you to resign yourself as the CEO's of your church or ministry. As fast as you can run away from treating the church as a business. Leave your church meetings, your planning sessions, your growth conferences, and go and interact with far from God people where they are - outside of your church. Stop bearing the burden of whether your church offering or attendance is what it should be - you just aren't that important!
Start encouraging your congregations to stop coming to so many church meetings and ask them to get involved in the local community activities outside of the church. Asking them to do both is only burning them out. And asking them to make a choice is only making them feel guilty. Encourage them to immerse themselves in their "work culture" and to get to know their co-workers and become their friends...not so they can convert them...but because all people need friends.
Finally, please stop asking us to bring our "unchurched friends" to your church to fill the empty seats around us. Do you actually know how difficult it is to get someone who is seriously "far from God" to come to church? By asking us to do this, you imply that the only way we can truly make a difference in someone's life is by getting them to the church building.
I have asked for all pastors to resign...and for some of you, that may be the radical change you need to actually get in touch with your own identity outside of the church system. But for others, it may just be that you need to "resign" yourself emotionally and become the change agent that will lead the church to the reformation we so desperately need.
What do you think? Any validity? I have some thoughts, but as blog owner I'll keep them to myself for the time being and share them as the discussion moves forward (if anyone's interested)...
I’m still trying to get my arms around this whole emerging church idea. I honestly think that much of the problem for me is that most emerging churches are emerging differently. (Anyone else get that feeling?) Anyway, I’m trying to read as many different perspectives as I can. Here’s one I found interesting. According to this emergent writer, the pastors are the problem. Read this, and give me your perspective. Does the writer make any valid points in your opinion? (You can read his full post here if you like)…
Comments
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Pastor D on Wed, July 13, 2005
Wrong, Wrong, Wrong
The five fold ministry is not a spiritual gift it is a calling. Read what they are for who was he talking to and why maybe church leadership and order.
Second,
Did Jesus serve FULL TIME in his three years of ministry? Oh and did he not pay his disciple’s tax “miracle”? Oh and did they pay for the first communion our did Jesus provide food drink and lodging?
Lastly,
Was not Paul paid so much to do the work of ministry that he had to ask the church to stop giving?
If you do not like the church then stay away from it don’t give your comments and don’t attend, I hear Waco has an opening for wacky people who don’t like church.
I wait for your comments.
Anthony D. Coppedge on Wed, July 13, 2005
Ricky,
You quoted me and then said:
Anthony- “but now we lack a single visionary leader to set the course for the local body.”
Ricky- “No you don’t. Ever heard of the Spirit of God?
We need to discuss what the mind of Christ is (biblically) and how we obtain it.”
I agree that we should all listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. But people, by their very nature, have different ways of dealing with different situations. You failed to address my point above that a plurality of leaders without a visionary leader (singular) is like a Doctor asking his patients on how to run the Doctor’s office, what equipment to buy and how to treat patients. A plurality of leaders (a.k.a. “committee”) is directionless. They’ll choose the way that seems best to them, but often leads to failure because of a lack of consensus.
This is proven over and over and over again in Scripture: a single leader rises to the top every time because as a group, people are incapable of coming to agreement consistently.
Ricky, brother, please consider how your comments are read by others online. You and I can agree or disagree, but we can do it without sarcasm and insolence. I’ve read great advice for posting on someone’s blog: treat the host and his guests with respect. It fine amd (by the nature of having a comments section) encouraged to give our thoughts, ideas and opinions - but I hope you understand that how you say what it is as important as what you say.
Blessings,
Anthony
Franklin Reeves on Wed, July 13, 2005
3) If you’re not engaging the unchurched on a personal level and giving them a chance, over time, to come and experience corporate worship, how is that being a good fisher of men? With my church, we put a lot of effort into making the unchurched and formerly churched feel at ease in the weekend services. Should we stop doing that because it’s hard?
What does bringing an unchurched person to church have to do with being fisher of men?
I guess I need to know what un-churched means. Does it mean a beleiver that does not attend church or a non-believer that does not attend church?
If we mean non-believer then perhaps the term lost, unsaved, or some other phrase would be best used.
We are to fish for men. The men we are fishing for is those who are under God’s wrath. The ones He will send to an eternal dammnation where the worm will not die, and the fire will not be quenched. A place of gnashing teeth and utter darknesses.
We are to be “witnesses” and to give a reason for our hope. While I appluade those who invite people to thier church, it is a good place to start, but each beleiver is resposible for personally sharing the gospel.
The Pastor, evangelist, teacher is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. Which by the way is more than simply preaching, teaching, it also requires OJT.
For those in leadership that are quick to point out the Shepard does not make sheep, but sheep do, remember that the pastor and other staff are sheep first, and leaders second.
I would also like to encourage those who share the gospel to share the whole counsel of God and without changing the words.
It is Hell not a Christ-less enternitiy.
By the way if you do not like Christ then the thought of eternity without Him is not all that bad.
Death is the “wages of Sin” not the “wages of humanity”.
All who have sinned are condemmed already and they deserve it. Those who trust in Christ and His payment of the fine due are the ones who will enter the Kingdom.
Repentance is not optional.
God has a wondeful plan for the your life. However when talking to the unsaved we are using a word wonderful in a way that misleads them.
They understand wonderful to mean mostly if not always happy, fed, comfortable, etc..
While I do not share the gospel by saying turn to Christ so you can be beaten, stoned, or killed like Paul. I do not say follow Christ so you can be crucified like Peter, or any of the others who have suffered for Christ sake.
What I refuse to do is give people the assurance that by turning to Christ they get any benefit other than salvation from thier sins which has condemmed them to death.
Christ still heals today according to faith and scripture, He also according to scripture had chosen not to heal. Paul is one example.
Thier are other benefits we try to sell such as happiness, healed relationships, etc. All of which I believe does happen in a Christians life, but it is not a draw card to Christ.
The only Biblical reason for accepting Christ is salvation from the consequences of our sins.
I can conecede that it is possible I am wrong. If anyone can show me where Jesus or the apostles advocated turning to Christ for any reason other than salvation from sin or its consequences let me know.
Jean-Paul Paroissien on Wed, July 13, 2005
Writing in response to Ricky, who wrote:
“I believe the writer has follow his own advice and is apparently enjoying his new found freedom to be all tha God has gifted him and called him to be, which has increased his ministry, not hindered it.”
Yeah, I suppose that’s one possibility… On the other hand, since his blog (stupidchurchpeople.com) seems to indicate that he is NOT a pastor with a regular ministry, he might actually be enjoying his freedom but not building much in the way of the Kingdom.
Ricky: “Those who are called to do it do so with absolute joy, without even an eye toward remuneration. Those who expect nothing in return for doing what Jesus did for us, will receive much more than any fleeting satisfaction that a paycheck could ever bring.”
Yeah, but I’ve met a lot of disgruntled kids of underpaid pastors whose families suffered while they laboured on behalf of the Kingdom. Paul was a tentmaker and it worked for him, however, he did not begrudge a worker the support due him. Support of God’s workers is a concept established by God (remember all that Old Testament sacrifice and tithing and stuff) and seems to have worked well over the millennia…
I earn little enough compared to others with comparable education to ever have me believe that I do what I do for my paycheque. Still, having a regular paycheque allows me to care for my family AND the church.
Ricky: “And people are saved in spite of the “system,” not because of it.”
Last I spoke to Rick Warren, about 80 per cent of Saddleback’s membership were baptized as adults. This demonstrates growth by conversion, a result of good old-fashioned evangelism flavoured by newfangled megachurch methodology. Celebrate Recovery at SVCC has reached many, many people who had not heard the gospel.
Programmes aren’t intrinsically evil, and the system isn’t inherently flawed. Good planning and programming gives good opportunities for kingdom work. Call me old fashioned, call me optimistic, call me stupid, but I’m far from ready to do away with the profession.
Ricky: “It seems to me that the person who has to justify his/her position by tearing down the selfless actions of others is the one who should be pitied, for he/she has no understanding of eternity.”
Whose selfless actions? The guy’s website is full of pictures of beer drinking, fast food eating, and driving a BMW. He apparently isn’t suffering much for the gospel. In fact, it’s clear that he isn’t involved in kingdom work at all, with the possible exception that his babbling might tear down some hardworking pastors struggling to stay in the profession…
I fully understand eternity and I fully appreciate the sacrifices made by many in my church and the movement to which we belong. I give sacrificially to the cause, and I invest untold hours to the kingdom. My church is neither perfect nor hopelessly lost. We’re a group of sinners redeemed by God, and I remind my people of this week after week, from the pulpit and from the hospital, to children and retirees. Yes, I happily receive a paycheque. So be it.
J-P
Lorna on Wed, July 13, 2005
I liked this, because it made me think. Would I like to see the church more active? Yes. Outide of the four walls of the building we mistakenly think is church? Yes Would removing the salary of the pastor help achieve this? Don’t know!
You see I believe in the five fold ministry. We need pastors, shepherds, apostles, teachers and evangelists to equip the body of Christ.
Scripture says without vision the people perish. And we need leaders to help us move into that vision
Now most pastors spend too much time managing their church. This has to stop. Qutie frankly that can easily be lay led, by business oriented people within the congregation.
But to expect one man or woman to do a full week’s work elsewhere, give time to family and self, as well as spend quality time with God - I can’t see it working.
It’s time to get the pastor out of the meetings and onto his/ her knees. That’s where visions are seen. Then help him / her up, and help make the vision a reality. Out there, where it matters.
Lorna on Wed, July 13, 2005
I liked this, because it made me think. Would I like to see the church more active? Yes. Outide of the four walls of the building we mistakenly think is church? Yes Would removing the salary of the pastor help achieve this? Don’t know!
You see I believe in the five fold ministry. We need pastors, shepherds, apostles, teachers and evangelists to equip the body of Christ.
Scripture says without vision the people perish. And we need leaders to help us move into that vision
Now most pastors spend too much time managing their church. This has to stop. Qutie frankly that can easily be lay led, by business oriented people within the congregation.
But to expect one man or woman to do a full week’s work elsewhere, give time to family and self, as well as spend quality time with God - I can’t see it working.
It’s time to get the pastor out of the meetings and onto his/ her knees. That’s where visions are seen. Then help him / her up, and help make the vision a reality. Out there, where it matters.
bernie dehler on Wed, July 13, 2005
Pastor D says:
“Lastly, Was not Paul paid so much to do the work of ministry that he had to ask the church to stop giving?”
I think you’re wrong. Supply the Bible verse, and let’s look at it in context.
Paul was noted for being self-sufficient and providing for himself, working in a trade as a tent-maker. Certainly the opposite of highly compensated “preachers” like today’s John Hagee, TD Jakes, and Benny Hinn. Our Lord Jesus had no place to rest his head, yet these fellows live like kings.
Matthew 8:19-20
Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
Ricky on Wed, July 13, 2005
Quote:
“Yeah, I suppose that’s one possibility… On the other hand, since his blog (stupidchurchpeople.com) seems to indicate that he is NOT a pastor with a regular ministry, he might actually be enjoying his freedom but not building much in the way of the Kingdom.”
If I recall correctly, his website said that he had served as a pastor for 16 years before he realized that he was standing in the way of real spiritual transformation. I wonder how many “pastors” today would admit to that fact and be willing to put their money where their mouths are and step down out of the way of real transformation.
And please define what a “regular ministry” is. To say that just because a person doesn’t receive a paycheck he/she is not in ministry is as arrogant a statement as anyone could make. Remember, J.P., God doesn’t see as man sees, meaning what you call “irregular ministry” God may call “blessed.”
Quote:
“Yeah, but I’ve met a lot of disgruntled kids of underpaid pastors whose families suffered while they laboured on behalf of the Kingdom.”
That’s because those “pastors” placed more importance on “the ministry” than they did on their families, which is the first and foremost ministry a person can be privileged to have.
If a person would rather make his family suffer in order to hold onto a title, then he should be considered worse than an unbeliever.
Quote:
“Paul was a tentmaker and it worked for him, however, he did not begrudge a worker the support due him.”
I’m convinced that Paul would begrudge such a person who equated the privilege of serving Christ with that of a job. What about doing things as unto the Lord and trusting Him that your needs will be met instead of expecting it from others?
Quote:
“Support of God’s workers is a concept established by God (remember all that Old Testament sacrifice and tithing and stuff) and seems to have worked well over the millennia…”
Worked well? Then why has giving been on the decline for decades now? Could it be because it is a non-New Testament practice of which people feel coerced into doing?
Tithing is no where supported in the New Testament. Instead, we are to give FREELY for that leads to “cheerful givers.”
Perhaps Todd would open a thread where tithing can be discussed, as it’s too expansive to be discissed here. Rest assured, though, that tithing is not supported by the New Testament, which is where we’re supposed to be living.
Quote:
“I earn little enough compared to others with comparable education to ever have me believe that I do what I do for my paycheque. Still, having a regular paycheque allows me to care for my family AND the church.”
Then why not find you a better paying job and be an example of how to live a life of selfless giving before those in your sphere of influence? Why be a martyr for a cause (i.e., pastor as office/title) that has no biblical support?
Quote:
“Last I spoke to Rick Warren, about 80 per cent of Saddleback’s membership were baptized as adults. This demonstrates growth by conversion, a result of good old-fashioned evangelism flavoured by newfangled megachurch methodology. Celebrate Recovery at SVCC has reached many, many people who had not heard the gospel.”
Please, let’s not speak about Rick Warren and his supposed “success.” I’ve been in a lot of trouble on this blog because of him and his methodology.
Quote:
“Programmes aren’t intrinsically evil, and the system isn’t inherently flawed. Good planning and programming gives good opportunities for kingdom work. Call me old fashioned, call me optimistic, call me stupid, but I’m far from ready to do away with the profession.”
Yes they are when they are substituted in place of being Spirit-led. When the Spirit truly leads, there’s no need to wring one’s hands over what gimmick to come up with to satisfy the insatiable hunger of the consumers who are fast becoming the majority of those that fill most pews on Sunday mornings.
To me, programs speak more about taking control than it does about what it means to letting “the Lord build the (His) house.”
Quote:
“Whose selfless actions? The guy’s website is full of pictures of beer drinking, fast food eating, and driving a BMW. He apparently isn’t suffering much for the gospel. In fact, it’s clear that he isn’t involved in kingdom work at all, with the possible exception that his babbling might tear down some hardworking pastors struggling to stay in the profession…”
“Full of pictures of beer drinking, fast food eating, and driving a BMW?” Come on. I think there is one picture of a dude drinking a beer (which I don’t agree with, by the way, but that’s for another thread) and one of a BMW (although neither can you tell how old the car is).
Your envy speaks volumes.
It seems to me that you are jealous of the freedom that this man has garnered by having the courage to step down from such a lofty position (in the eyes of men) and to seek to build true community, one-to-one, with real people in real relationships.
He has done a great service to many who will hopefully read his story and follow his example in renouncing the control that men seek to exercise over something that is uniquely Christ’s, His Church. Sounds awfully radical, doesn’t it? Yet that’s exactly what the Church needs today.
Quote:
“I fully understand eternity and I fully appreciate the sacrifices made by many in my church and the movement to which we belong. I give sacrificially to the cause, and I invest untold hours to the kingdom. My church is neither perfect nor hopelessly lost. We’re a group of sinners redeemed by God, and I remind my people of this week after week, from the pulpit and from the hospital, to children and retirees. Yes, I happily receive a paycheque. So be it.”
But would you continue what you do if you did not receive a paycheck?
Paul did mention that those who preach the gospel were free to receive renumeration from those to whom they ministered.
BUT, Paul chose not to do so because he knew that to do so could lead to possible hindrances of the preaching of the gospel. Instead of seeing his ministry as something that is voluntary, of which he would receive a reward, he viewed it as a complusion, meaning that the ministry to him was more than something that he could choose to walk away from, but rather it was something that was entrusted to him, which no amount of renumeration (as in salary) or lack of could ever keep him from ministering.
How refreshing! To see someone who did not, as in Paul, and does not, as in the author of the article, allow the degree of his ministry to be relavent as to the amount of financial support he received or didn’t receive.
If only we all could be like that!
Geoff Surratt on Wed, July 13, 2005
I’ve been a pastor for 20 years, my father was a pastor and my grandfather was a pastor. I work with several pastors in my present job. I know that there are pastors who lead from impure motives, pastors who hinder the spiritual growth of their people, pastors who tailor their ministry for money.
But I know far more pastors who pour their lives out day after day, who have been attacked spiritually, relationally and even physically. And yet they continue to minister out of a pure love for God and his people. In the last 24 hours I have spoken with 3 different pastors who’s lives are being ripped apart, but they won’t give up. Not while souls are on the line.
It breaks my heart to read that pastors are what is wrong with the church, that pastors should all resign, that pastors are the number one weakness in the church today. I don’t know how closely the average pastor resembles the vision Paul had for leadership, but I believe that pastors who pour out their lives to lead people from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light are making a difference in the world.
BeHim on Wed, July 13, 2005
Great Point Bernie (as usual)
What do you think would be the response if I were to post:
“Homosexuality is wrong, ie sinful and if you don’t like it, grow up and get out of the church.”
Yet, here are pastors/leaders posting these things here on this blog:
“grow up” “doesn’t like the church/profession… Drop out. Resign.”
Why? Because some stand against sin, can Scripturally give an account for the Hope that is in them and know what The Gospel is and can point out when there is a different Gospel.
Why are you so quick to accept the professing “christian” who practices homosexuality yet decisively tell someone who says the church has it wrong to… grow up and get out?
Double standard starts with a double mind and finishes with a double tongue. Insult? No, statement for all who are double minded.
Btw, you’ll notice the same “type” of insults taking place on the homosexual blog:
“brain dead (or “limited”)” “appallingly ignorant” “kindergarten” “lazy and personally ignorant” just to name a few
Why?
In debate it is commonly known that when a defenseless position is exposed they are left with only insults and name calling in hopes to antagonize and move to another subject or draw away from their loss.
Todd Rhoades on Wed, July 13, 2005
Geoff wrote, “But I know far more pastors who pour their lives out day after day, who have been attacked spiritually, relationally and even physically. And yet they continue to minister out of a pure love for God and his people. In the last 24 hours I have spoken with 3 different pastors who’s lives are being ripped apart, but they won’t give up. Not while souls are on the line.”
Thanks Geoff… souls are on the line… and that’s the important thing to remember. And while some do berate the church and want to work outside the church (I say, “go for it”); the church is still having an impact in many areas; and pastors are not the bad guys.
The pastoral profession is an admirable one… can’t think of one that’s more admirable actually. And that’s whether you’re paid or not.
To those who prefer ministry without pay and to work for Christ outside the church structure… great… you’re doing valuable ministry.
To those who feel called to work inside the church to change lives and redeem souls, and are paid to do so; I commend you as well.
I know, I know… I asked for this one by posting the topic to begin with. I thought the author had a couple valid points; and I like pieces that make me think and challenge my views. But, once again, it’s turned into an argument. Too bad.
Maybe we’ll just change this blog into talking about things like puppy dogs and butterflies.
Somehow, I think there’d be people opposed to that as well. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
It’s been a long day… good nite! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Larry Dickey on Wed, July 13, 2005
When we compare ourselves with other workers like you mentioned, landscaping, etc. within the church we pay someone for doing something that we do not know how to do. Sometimes we pay someone for doing something thqat we couod do but choose otherwise. I have pastored churches that felt that they did not need a pastor and yet after the fact there was no growth to speak of. I think that churches hire or call a pastor for a variety of reasons. Even though we may not agree with most of them we still fill the bill. I do believe, this is not because of ego mind you, that many churches could grow but most would not simply because the body could not or would not do some of the things that we do. This being for many reasons. That is an interesting question: what would happen to the church if all of the pastors ceased being pastors?
Steve on Thu, July 14, 2005
Well everyone, I love the discussion that my original post has created on this site and admire Todd for taking a chance to put it out there. I’ll be slipping him a $20 bill next time I see him. I wish the post had generated this much discussion on my own site.
I cannot wait to comment further however it is quite late and after an evening of “beer-drinking” and “fast-food eating” I am quite exhausted. I need to get a good nights rest in preparation for a full-day of driving my BMW for my “real job”.
Love to all and I will check back in on the discussion. I do have some comments to make on the comments - so stay tuned.
Pete King on Thu, July 14, 2005
Wow,
What a mess this conversation is. I mean to be open to new ideas and concepts is a wonderful thing. But I have to agree with those who questioned this guy’s posting. I mean how can the man cuss and swear and talk about making names for oneself when isn’t that the same thing he is doing. Now I am not part nor have I ever been part of what many of you here define as the emerging church but let me say from an observers point of view that it is very inconsistent and on some levels unscriptural. I mean to make an argument like well Paul was a “tent maker” as a means to attack pastor with money is really reaching for straws. If we want to utilize this kind of thinking then maybe the next argument should be abolishing free enterprise and developing the slavery system utilized the Roman Empire’s means of governing. I said all of that to say this we need to take scripture literally but not to miss the point that we aren’t trying to duplicate a particular character’s garments but instead mimic the priciple of what is being said. I don’t believe for one second that if we follow the priciples the Bible has laid before us that we will commit some of the incidences in question.(ie. pastor’s running things like business etc…) I believe that pastors serves as both a gift and a position. Just like people need a government to keep order so does the church need a leader to direct them. Of course, I have argued this point before and what I feel missing in this area is a common ground. We need to take in consideration the pros of this so called emergent movement but lets not become a group who argues more on grey lines and less on black and white ones. Truth is, no movement is right entirely and for those of us who take it as the complete answer to our church problems only deceives themselves. Thus our delima, will we ever agree to dissagree. Who ever knows.
m copeland on Thu, July 14, 2005
The removal of paid pastors certainly isn’t a novel idea. This issued was raised a few times since seminary (mid 70’s).
I think there are several questions the church faces inferred by the article:
1. What should the church be doing?
2. How should should the church accomplish her purpose?
3. How well is the church fulfilling her purpose?
These questions should be evaluated regularly in order to effectively lead the church (to remove paid leadership because the church isn’t fulfilling the mission confuses the issue). Can you imagine an NBA team removing the coach and letting the players lead because the players don’t play to their potential? Or going coachless because the players are the people intended to play?
The Apostle Paul supports a paid leadership in his writings to Timothy (1 Tm. 5:17-18). This also implies some leadership structure in the early church. Paul didn’t encourage Timothy retire. He exhorted him to employ his giftedness to train and mobilize others while he did the work of an evangelist (2 Tm. 4:1-5).
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