This last July I celebrated five years of serving as pastor at New Vision. I took a few minutes one day to make a list of all the different tasks that I might do at any given time in addition to preaching. Do you know how many I came up with? 78! Then I tried to condense it to a shorter list. So let me ask you. If you could only use one word, how would you describe the job of a pastor? Let’s try on a few options and see how they fit.
How about chaplain? You may have met one at the hospital- a nice fellow who visited with you, read some Scripture and prayed with you and made you feel better. How pleasant! However, I have found that when people view their pastor as their chaplain, they often view him as their personal servant, available whenever they need him and for whatever they need done. The pastor is easily viewed as, “they guy we pay to take care of us?” However, even if a pastor were able to give 24 hours every day to meeting his members’ needs, he would never be able to meet everyone’s needs. When a pastor views himself as a hired helper, burnout is often just around the corner.
How about teacher? Unfortunately, when a pastor is viewed as teacher, then faith is often viewed as a set of facts, members are viewed as students, the church as a school and the Bible as simply a textbook to be studied. And a person never graduates! I firmly believe that Christianity is not merely an intellectual pursuit, but it is a whole-life adventure! So teacher just doesn’t cover all the bases.
How about spiritual counselor? This option also has several problems. First of all, have you ever driven to your doctor’s office just to hang out with the other patients? No. That would be weird. As I have stated many times, Christianity is personal, but not private and individualistic. But let’s examine this option further. Counselors work with patients who have problems. If a pastor takes this option, ministry becomes very negative and problem-focused. So this is not a good option.
How about shepherd? After all, this option is even found in Scripture. I am sure it is a great option, but we city folks cannot adequately imagine the shepherding of Jesus’ time. We think of sheep who just walk around and eat and get into trouble, and lonely shepherds who feed them and pet them! But the Bible tells us in many other places that church members are to be active in ministry and service to others. When was the last time you saw a sheep helping another out of a bind?
Finally, some folks like the CEO option. This model is full of potholes, including the reality that the church is not a business and our bottom-line is not measured in dollars. Pastors are not to be power-hungry strategists who only hang out with the executives. Pastors must be wise, hardworking, and effective, but also personal and caring. So this option is a bust.
So what is the best option? “What,” you may say, “is your choice, Pastor Jason?” If you want to find out, find a whistle, and read The Job of the Pastor- Part 2
So what is the best option? “What,” you may say, “is your choice, Pastor Jason?” If you want to find out, find a whistle, and read The Job of the Pastor- Part 2
3 comments:
Hey Jason,
Reverb blogged about a book called Mad-Church disease. Have you read it? He is doing a give away just for leaving a comment. I left a somment but thought if you hadn't read it, you might want to get in on the give away too.
Duh, I didn't give you the link!
http://www.thisisreverb.com/2009/02/mad-church-disease.html
I read it- the book looks interesting. Our District Superintendant is doing a lot of research on the subject of clergy burnout and how to avoid it. The statistics tell us that of everyone who entered ministry when I did (or at any time recently), half of them are out of ministry within 10 years.
Wow- crazy. But you know what, I have a great and supportive wife, an encouraging church that is willing to try new ideas without too much complaining, and lots of volunteers who gives tons of time and energy to the mission!
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