Pastors as the Supporting Cast

Here's a few more thoughts spurred on by Nancy Pearcey's book, Total Truth, wherein she references Bob Briner as follows:

In his book, Roaring Lambs, Bob Briner describes his student days at a Christian college, where the unspoken assumption was that the only way to really serve God was in full-time Christian work. Already knowing that he wanted a a career in sports management, Briner writes, "I felt I was a sort of second class campus citizen. My classmates who were preparing for the pulpit ministry or missionary service were the ones who were treated as they would be doing the real work of the church. The rest of us were the supporting cast."

In my last post I talked about what this reveals about the fact/value, sacred/secular split in our culture and how it has damaged the Christian cause. Today I want to talk about what this says about the pastoral ministry.

As a pastor I am often conflicted about my role and place in society. In fact, just yesterday, I found a post called Outside Looking In at a blog called "The Wilderness" which is written by a fellow pastor. He said that he often feels like an outsider, that the pastorate is the ultimate "outsider" profession. I can relate to what he has said in many ways, although my conflicts about my role as a pastor usually show up in different ways than his.

My internal conflicts show up in the conflict between "pastor as ordinary guy" and "pastor as 'Holy Man'". I've never really gotten the 'Holy Man' thing down. I know how unholy I am and it makes me uncomfortable to think that someone would look at me as the 'Holy Man'. I much prefer settings where I can be "one of the guys," than where someone might be "looking up" to me. In fact, one of my favorite compliments happened the time a lady said that when she thinks of me she doesn't think of me as a pastor, but as a real person. Whaddaya know, pastors are people too. It's almost like we're real human beings or something. I loved it. Another funny story along those lines happened on our recent mission trip to Ocean City, MD. At the church we served there were a bunch of summer interns and one of the interns met my wife before he met me and he said he could tell right away that she was a pastor's wife. Something about her, she just had the look. When he met me he said I didn't look at all like a pastor. I kind of like that. That's why I've never embraced the whole "Rev." thing. I'm not Reverend _________, I'm David.

On the other hand, the office of the pastor carries with it a great deal of responsibility and is to be treated with respect. This means that, not only do the "people in the pew" treat the pastor with the respect, but the pastor must treat the pastorate with respect. Therefore, I must honor the office of pastor, whether I feel holy enough or not. I accept the fact that I am in a leadership role, and by God's grace, act accordingly. People look up to the position, since I am filling the position, I must be worthy of this respect.

Briner's comments show that, at the college he attended, people had a low degree of respect for so called "secular" callings and a high degree of respect for so-called "ministerial" callings. I use the phrase "so-called" because I believe we need to get rid of the idea that there is a secular realm apart from the sacred and we need to embrace the idea that all of life is ministry for all Christians.

But, this respect for pastors came out of a long line of history and cultural deference. It is an admirable thing and in showing respect for their ministers the people of God have done so to show respect for God. There is very little respect for pastors in our day, but in times past they have enjoyed great respect. In times past, the pastor was often called the "Parson," because he was the "person" in town. The pastor was often the most important person in town. The pastor was often the most well educated person in town and the church was the social center of the community. Scandal has eroded that respect for pastors in the eyes of those outside of the church.

Still though, within the church, there is often still great respect and love for the pastors. One of the great things I have found in the pastorate is that, as Briner implies, people in the church really do want to support the pastor. Yes, every church has its cranks and troublemakers, but the vast majority of people in the church lovingly support their pastors. In a class in seminary, Joel Hunter, pastor of Northland Church in Orlando told us students that the vast majority of the people in the churches we would pastor really, really want us to succeed. We walk in with a bank of goodwill. I have found this to be the case. Yes, I have run into my troublesome folks and it is true that one troublesome person can often negate the good vibrations you get from a dozen loving folks. But, by and large, I have been treated very kindly in ministry and people have often come to me to tell me that they are supporting me and my ministry.

Which brings me back to what I want to say about Briner's comment. The support is much appreciated, but the New Testament pattern is not that the people support the pastor's ministry, it is that the pastor support the ministry of the people. The pastor is the equipper, the people are the ministers, according to Ephesians 4. What Briner's college experience revealed was that the people thought it was their job to support the pastor in his work at the church, when in fact it was the pastor's job to support the people in their work in the world.

If we could recover this view of the relationship between pastor and people I can see many benefits.

1. Blurring the clergy/laity distinction - Many foks think that the clergy/laity distinction should be abolished and I tend to agree somewhat. The terms themselves imply some kind distinction in kind or quality between those in "professional" ministry and those who aren't. On the other hand, Acts 6 shows that there are those who are specially called to devote themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer. So, I still believe that it is permissible for a church to call and ordain a pastor, but the church ought to view the pastorate as one calling among many and ought not to think that the pastor is somehow "holier" than they are, or that they are less "called to ministry" than he is.

2. Taking some pressure off the pastor - many pastors carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. This would lighten the load a bit. He's the coach, the congregation is the players. One of the reason that so many pastors are burned out is that they are trying to be the coach and play the game for their players.

3. Mobilizing the body for ministry. This is how God has always intended it to be.

4. Greater cultural influence. This follows - if more people are bringing the Christian worldview to bear on the world, there will be greater impact on the world.

Comments

[Dennis]

My internal conflicts show up in the conflict between "pastor as ordinary guy" and "pastor as 'Holy Man'". I've never really gotten the 'Holy Man' thing down. I know how unholy I am and it makes me uncomfortable to think that someone would look at me as the 'Holy Man'. I much prefer settings where I can be "one of the guys," than where someone might be "looking up" to me.

David, I cannot tell you how much that statement resonates with me. I have been a pastor for the last 16 years and this next month I am leaving the "professional" ministry. Funny thing is, I am a great pastor who loves people. I have been 100% faithful to my family and my church. I just don't wear the "professional" ministry garb well. The often rediculas expectations by grumblers and fault-finders is more then I can bare.

The expectation that the pastor is more educated, can live on less money, no benefits, and no retirement then be expected to bare the burdens of everyone while maintaining his "perfect" family is rediculas.

I decided that I cannot do it anymore. I have a deep admiration for those who can. I am sure some will stay in ministry because of their constant need for adulation, but that wore off many years ago for me.

For the last 16 years I have worked and worked, pushed and pushed; trying to live my calling faithfully. I watch as my children wear hand-me-down cloths and lose their father for weeks and weeks as I travel taking people around the globe on mission trips, camps, retreats, conferences and more education. When I get home, I cannot afford to even take my family for a short weekend trip. All the while, most of the people in my congregation miss one or two Sundays a month boating, fishing, going to vegas, etc. "By-god" I better never miss a Sunday or my commitment is suspect.

I finally decided that all of this is rediculas and I am getting out! I am tired, broken and disillusioned.

[Jeremy Pierce]

Two things do form a surface contradiction with what you say here, though I suspect more careful wording could easily avoid it. One is that the New Testament commands believers to respect and pray for those who labor as their leaders to serve them. Second is that there are clear indications that some are best put into full-time service as church leaders, and there are many ways their congregation can support them, not least through financial support but also through the command I just mentioned to respect and pray for leaders.

On the 'Reverend' issue, I'll suggest an alternative way of dealing with this problem. Call people 'Reverend' back and then explain to them that the word has connotations of holiness and that all believers are called holy/saints in the NT.

[Diane R]

What really needs to be done is going a litle further than the Reformers to get out of the "priest" system and get into the elder system where the pastor is ONE of the elders, not necessarily the chief one. If we can see the elders as equal but with different ministries and the pastor as one, which he is, then perhaps we can resolve this matter. That will bring the pastor the fellowship he needs too--with the other elders if not other congregants also.

This also brings up another question which now that you have me thinking ...LOL..I will write in my own blog soon. That other matter is what about the ministry of the other 3 ministries listed in Eph.4:11 do in relation to churches? YES, you read right...the other 3 NOT the other 4....:)

[Russ]

I think Briner's analysis is all wrong. I know the context he's talking about very well; I went to a Christian college that was the exact same way. However, this is not the result of a high view of the ministerial office; rather it is just the opposite, the result of the loss of a high view of the office. It is the result of a view of church leadership based on personality and charisma, an elevation of the person rather than of the office.

Some kind of distinction has to exist between pastor and congregation; there's got to be some reason he's up front preaching and not whoever feels like it, and God does not say he will judge those who install carpet more severely (James 3:1). But if that distinction is not the office, then it is the personal holiness (or at least expectations of personal holiness) of the minister, and that's what messes up a Reformational doctrine of vocation. Blurring the importance of the office results in people thinking of the ministry as God calling holy people to an average job, rather than calling average people to a holy office.

That being said, I agree God calls people to a wide variety of valuable callings through which they glorify God, and I agree with Luther that a housewife changing a diaper is doing more of value than all the monks and nuns in the world. For that reason, I think ministers should have no more discomfort with "Reverend" than a physician should with "Doctor." Used properly, the honorific "Reverend" is not an adjective conveying holiness to the name attached to it - i.e. Rev. Billy Joe. It is a title (like Mister or Doctor), a description of an office held: The (the definite article is supposed to be used) Reverend So-and-so.

[PASTOR.T.CHINNA BABU]

TGHG BIBLE CHAPEL
PASTOR.T.CHINNA BABU
my beloved and respected jolly blogger i am coimg with my heart could hear my wors in christ
MY BELOVED MINISTRIES I AM SO GLAD TO COME TO THY HEART IN CHRIST FOR CHRIST JESUS HERE IS TO SHARE MY HEART IN CHRIST WITH THY HEART FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
TO share my heart with THY HEART AND ministries could thy please do thy best for our tghg ministries please thanks for thy email we are praying for you please share with other ministries in thy co fellowship thanks for thy heart in christ for me god bless in our fellowship amen.
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/t/tghg
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/u/Unity-Faith
TGHG ministries is a non-profit making Christian organization workig with aim of Christian evangelism, Welfare of christinity,Erradication of poverity . It is regestered with Indian socities regestration Act XXI 1860.

Pastor T.Chinna Babu is a founder president of this organization. He was born in a christian family and dedecated for christ from their parents. After compleet of his studies he went to Bible college and compleet his theology. After this he was started a Church in his birth place. It will increased to branches into christ membership. WE HAVE THE BURDEN PLEASE BE THE OUR BURDEN IN CHRIST TO FULLFILL HIS GREAT COMMISSION FOR THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST JESUS http://www.ourchurch.com/member/t/tghg
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/u/Unity-Faith
He was a guest speaker of several city churches and rural mass meetings.

WE NEED CHURCH BUILDING PLEASE PRAY FOR BIBLE CHAPEL THAT BUILDING MAY COST $25,000
PLEASE KEEP THY GOODNESS AND THY BEST OF HEART TO BUILD THE CHURCH AMEN.
E-MAIL : tghgministries@yahoo.com
*New prayers * THE GOD HEAVENLY GOSPEL MINISTRIES
NEEDS

TGHG MINISTRIES NEEDS

1. To sponsor a missionery,by faith send $75 per month

2. To sponsor a missionery family send $100 per month

3. To sponsor a needy child send $20 per month
Are you inolve with TGHG ministries , Please THY COULD PRAY FOR MY MINISTRIES AND TO THE CHURCH EVANGELISM .
PRAY FOR THE SCHOOL BUS
PRAY FOR THE CHURCH BUILDINGS
PRAY FOR THE SCHOOL BUILDING TOO.
PRAY FOR THE CHILDREN AT CARE HOME

OUR TGHG MINISTRIES NEED A SCHOOL BUS FOR THE CHILDREN .YES THEY ARE COMING FROM HILL AND RURAL AREAS OUR MINISTRIES WANTS TO GIVE AND MAKE THEM AS A GOOD CHRISTIANS OF INDIA TILL THEIR CHILDHOOD IN CHRIST FOR CHRIST GLORY .
COULD THY PLEASE BE AS THEIR GAURDINER IN CHRIST
PLEASE PRAY FOR THEIR NEEDS AND SCHOOL BUS
Email : tghgministries@yahoo.com
PASTOR.T.CHINNA BABU
TGHG MINISTRIES
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/t/tghg
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/u/Unity-Faith

[Rev Joseph Raju]

Dear Brothers and sister in christ, By the grace of God we are all working to gether in the name of Chruch of the living God ministries there are 200 evangelists in 500 villages, reaching the unreached people, tribes and places, so all of the misinisters are self supported indegenous and inter denominational, we need the people to work with us in the missions, as a speaker in the outreach and confrences, nurses in the rural clinics and social workers in the orphanges an schools, we are very thankful ful for your generous support for all the work
for orphan child
for a missionary
for a leper and for a widow
for a school boy
with love
Pastor Joseph Raju

[Rev Joseph Raju]

please pray for this ministry
Chruch of the living God ministries
P.B #3
Gannavaram-521101
andhra pradesh India

[Anita K. Mirigo]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a lady pastor evangelizing in the slums of Nairobi,Kenya. I have also started a small church there.In this area the people to expect are prostitutes, Hiv/Aids orphans, widows, single mothers, street children,homeless and needy people. Violenceagainst women is also highly experienced.

The offerings and tithes are so minimal to meet the demands of these people and i am therefore asking you in the Name of Jesus to assist me with anything the holy spirit will lead you.
May God bless you as we reach these people with the gosdpel.

Pastor Anita K. Mirigo

[PASTOR T. CHINA BABU]

UNITY & FAITH PASTORS

I AM PASTOR BABU WE ARE WORKING IN THE LORD FOR THE LORD TO BE THE GLORY OF THE LORD FROM 1995 AND SOME ARE MORE THAN THAT ,BUT WITH OUT ANY SUPPORT PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE POOR PASTORS YES I HAVE THE VIZION TO HELP THOSE PASTORS IN NEED AT LEAST FOR THEIR DAILY BRED PLEASE PRAY AND SUPPORT THEM IN CHRIST TO WIN MORE SOULS IN CHRIST
VIEW ON US
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/t/tghg
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/u/Unity-Faith

THY LOVINGLY PASTOR BABU
THE GOD HEAVENLY GOSPEL MINISTRIES INDIA.

[PASTOR T. CHINA BABU]

PASTOR BABU
THE GOD HEAVENLY GOSPEL MINISTRIES
INDIA
PHONE : + 91 9440691823

WE NEED SOME SUPPORT FOR POOR PASTORS IN INDIA
PLEASE VIEW ON US http://www.ourchurch.com/member/u/Unit-Faith
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/t/tghg
pastortchinnababu@yahoo.com

PASTOR.T.CHINA BABU
TGHG MINISTRIES INDIA.

[P.EPHRAIM]

Remember them those are in Bonds Remember them those are in Sufferings Heb:13:3

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,Even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12

SOUL2 SMINISTRIES

(ORG .BY:- THE SOCIETY OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE)

P. O. BOX NO. 3. TENALI- 522 201. GUNTUR (DT) A. P. INDIA ======================================================================================

Rev.P. EPHRAIM

To,

Dear servants of God

Greetings to you in the most precious name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Let me introduce myself that my Name is Rev. P. Ephraim, We have established a Christian Organization named "Society of the Prince of Peace" with the Help of some Faithful Christians. We established this society only because that we can proclaim the spirit of God in our Area. Some of our Gospel Teams have been Distributing the Bible free Tracts and Booklets in the particular centers Hospitals, Educational Centers and some Remote villages of our Area. By the Grace of God we are running a Christian Lending Library in my town since 1997. So many people are come and search the scriptures and saved their souls to our Lord’s kingdom through these scriptures. I will be able to succeed this program. So we request you please pray for my spiritual need and send some Bibles, Bible based material to my library purpose.

We have a good team of youth 15 members, they are all involved Tracts distributions, street preaching and they are visit to some remote villages and proclaim the God’s words and distribute the free tracts and new testaments. So we need some more Gospel tracts and Library material to my area people spiritual help. Kindly consider my request and send the above material to me. We win some souls here through these materials. God bless you always.

Pls Prayer for our Need‘S OUR TEAMS ARE VISIT TO SOME REMOTE VILLAGES , AND SPRED THE WORD OF GOD AND DISTRIBUTE THESE TRACTS FREEIY. OUR TEAMS VISIT TO HOSPITAL EDUCATIONAL CENTRES WEEKIY ONCE I HAVE NEED OF MORE THEN TRACTS & BIBLE'S . . . OUR TEAMS NEED OF ONE MINI PROJECTOR PLS PRAYER FOR OUR NEED IN MY AREA MY AREA WILL COME TO FLOOD SOME OF KID’S LOSE OF FATHER’S & MOTHERS SO WE HAVE NEE OF 1 ORPHEN HOME IN MY AREA

We pray for you and you’re Family and also your ministry in my Regular prayers.

With Love and Blessings From

Rev.P. Ephraim I am waiting for your kind reply

Pls See Our Web Site: - www.soulsaveministriesindia.blogspot.com

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“Leading People into a Life – Changing and Productive Relationship with Jesus Chris”

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PLS PRAYER FOR MY AREA PEOPLE'S NEED'S