September 12, 2006
Jesus Leaders: What pastors were meant to be
Pastors have an image problem. Despite the growing number of celebrity pastors on television, radio, and bookstore shelves, the wider culture’s respect for clergy has been declining for generations. Jim Martin, pastor of Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Texas, reflects in this article about Jesus’ words to religious leaders and how they can help us
The plane was about to take off from Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. I noticed the man in the seat across the aisle, one row up, as he began to read The Dallas Morning News. On the front page of the paper in bold letters was a jarring headline. A local pastor had been found guilty of sexually assaulting three women. I watched my fellow passenger as he began reading the story. I wondered what was going through his mind.
Many people are cynical about the church. That’s not news. There are many reasons for this cynicism. Some are cynical because of a basic mistrust of the people leading these churches. Some feel burned after learning a leader was living an immoral lifestyle. Others have been burned by placing their confidence in some church leader only to be severely disappointed due to displays of anger, ego, manipulation, etc. In contrast to these experiences, many people today would find genuine Jesus leaders to be quite refreshing.
I honestly believe most preachers, pastors, ministers, and church leaders in general want to do what is right. We get bogged down in systems and models of ministry that are choking the life out of the body of Christ. It might be helpful if we think about preachers, pastors, ministers, and church leaders the way they were meant to be. I want to refer to all of these roles as “Jesus leaders.” So, what were Jesus leaders meant to be?
(You may recognize these as Matthew 23 in reverse.)
We are at our best when we practice what we preach. Jesus once scolded the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Yet he told the people to obey them and do what they say to do. He then told his hearers not to follow their example. He bluntly said they did not practice what they preached. Imagine this conversation today: “You are going to visit XYZ Church? Oh, you will enjoy the sermons! One warning: Beware of the preacher’s personal example; it’s lousy!”
Jesus paints a stark picture of a people who tell others what to do while they sit by aloof and distant, watching the people struggle with their lives but offering no help. It is not enough to have a church full of talkers. Theology and practice are not two separate issues. They are one. Credibility for ministry is not found in talking alone but in doing the Gospel as well. Jesus leaders both talk and do the Gospel.
We are at our best when Jesus – rather than our own ego – is front and center. Jesus leaders model service instead of seeking ways for their egos to be massaged. The pastor I mentioned earlier was just sentenced to fifteen years in the penitentiary. State District Judge Scott Wisch said in the sentencing, “You manipulated … (religion) for the worst possible purpose.” He went on to say that this showed the danger of abandoning Christian self-sacrifice for self-gratification.
Far too many ministers allow ego to get in the way. While we may be critical of some who are much too focused on church size, others of us get just as focused on how many hits our blog might be getting compared with someone else’s. Ego has a way of revealing its ugly head in a variety of forms.
In contrast, Jesus leaders are to model self-sacrifice, not self-gratification. They understand that the son of man did not come to be served but to serve. Jesus leaders do not see service as a path to greatness. Rather, the service itself is greatness.
Part 2 of Jim Martin’s article will be posted soon. To read more of his reflections on the church and ministry visit his blog here.
Posted by UrL on September 12, 2006
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Comments
Surely, humility is the key for those of us who serve as Pastors. Also, being real and transparent with the people of your church ... especially with the men ... is vital. I think that we have created a "culture of the super-spiritual pastor" in most of our churches. We have the standard pastoral wardrobe, haircut, mannerisms, and vocabulary. So many of us fall into the trap of trying to "look" pastoral and we miss the boat on being real with our people. I believe that this effort to be someone we really are not is the first step down that pathway of failure and destruction.
I want the people of my church to know that I am an ordinary man. I have likes and dislikes. I have my own struggles. I try to be transparent about that whenever I can. I have hobbies and interests. I enjoy having fun just as much as the next guy. There is nothing more meaningful to me than when one of the men in my church calls just to say, "Hi," or to invite me for an afternoon of fishing, or to just see if I have some time to sit on the porch and talk.
If we really want to be "Jesus leaders," then the investment of time in the individuals (again, especially the men) of our flock is the critical. Being "real" is critical. Being "one's self" is the only way to be. If that's not good enough, then that's just too bad.
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Posted by: Geoff Baggett at September 12, 2006
It's hard to be a "Jesus Leader" if you don't know whom it is you are emulating... and I think that while a lot of Christians think and say that we do know Jesus - I am beginning to wonder how true that really is - as evidenced by the lack of "Jesus" in many of the decisions we sometimes make. I was reading the first part of John last week and it brought me to tears... when you read John's "take" on Jesus, it leaves you breathless... and if Jesus is my "model" - it leaves me MORE breathless when I realize how UNlike Him I really am...
I like what Geoff said about spending time with others... that is such a key - and so hard to do sometimes, given the busy schedules we all have. But in the end, I believe we will be remembered more for the time we spent with those God brought to us - rather than the money we spent building new buildings or even funding new ministries.
Posted by: Dan McGowan at September 13, 2006
Another very positive posting!
It would appear from Scripture that ministers are not always perfect in their behaviour: look at Peter in Galatia, and Paul in regards to John Mark (the Acts account). Ego and attitude will come into play. Perhaps the issue is that too many pastors are trying to come across as perfect, and too many lay people are expecting their pastor to be perfect. We collectively have helped foster an environment where we would rather hear no, see no, speak no, evil.
Yes, we should most definitely strive to be like Jesus -- unfortunately, instead we all too often presume to be like Him. Will we fall short in our striving? Most definitely! Does that mean we cover it up when we do? Not necessarily. Pastor Martin is correct when he states, "We are at our best when Jesus -- not our ego -- is front and center." We need to be seen as people who are real-life recipients of God's continued grace, not perfectly sculpted mannequins who pose benignly behind the pulpit.
Posted by: colin at September 13, 2006
I think the key is staying in touch with hurting people and the pain of the world. When pastors spend all their time with committees, leading worship, and preparing sermons, they often are isolating themselves from situations that call forth great degrees of humility. No pastor in touch with a hurting world can harbor visions of grandeur for long (at least this one can't).
Posted by: Ric at September 13, 2006
These comments are so good! And--they are very helpful to me.
Geoff's comment reminded me that we are so tempted to try to look "pastoral." I might add--that look depends upon our peers and their look.
Dan't comment is important. It is hard to be a Jesus Leader if I don't know whom he is. (If that doesn't encourage me to stay focused on Jesus in the Gospels!)
I like what Colin said regarding perfection. That seems to be an issue from generation to generation.
Ric's warning about the danger of isolation is good for all of us to hear.
Agan, thanks for the helpful comments
Posted by: Jim Martin at September 13, 2006
"We are at our best when Jesus – rather than our own ego – is front and center." SO true. Someone challenged me about this years ago. Now, when I meet someone I listen for how much they said "I" and/or how much they say things like "God did...", "Because of Christ...", "Jesus is...". Good word.
Posted by: Greg Atkinson at September 19, 2006
I think the Church is getting lost, because of the glamour that is being sought by the Ministers, as well as the flock.So many people would rather not come into the Church because of the hypocrisy and the lack of love found in the Church.This is truely contrary to the teachings of Jesus.For the scripture has said by this great Love shall all men know that ye are my disciples.The sin,hurt,pain and despaired that the people have, makes them look to the church for help and answers. Instead the people find that no one is listening to their cry or cares about their pain.Until the people of God realizes that it is not about worldly possessions and mans positions of this life, that we should be concerned about,the Church will continue to fail in the plan of Salvation and the saving of souls.This should be our number one priorty for the Ministers of God.
We truely needs our heavenly father's help to turn our focus back on the people and off of ourselves.
Posted by: C Brown at September 19, 2006
Pastors who are long in the ministry tend to be too idealistic. In their focus to do the ministry, the tendency is to spiritualize most things and therefore fail to understand the real world and may at times be not pragmatic in their thinking.
More dialogue and communication with church members may help to appreciate and understand the concerns and aspirations of its members. This understanding will help to be more effective in producing the "Jesus Leadership" in them as exampled by Jesus Christ himself through his interaction with different levels of society.
The above is a layman's view having served in the church board for a number of years
Posted by: D. Cho at September 19, 2006
Have everyone forgotten the main point? Pastors are called to be servants not salesman. When the people of Israel had a problem, they turned to the priests. 95% of pastors are more impressed with the number of worshippers rather tahn be ing a servant. We are too busy competing with each other. I have tried in vain to fellowship with other pastors, but because of their worthless vanity, they do not have time for fellowship. Is this Biblical? No. Our vanity keeps us from each other as well as separating ourselves from the church. Jesus fellowshipped with saints and sinners alike. I just spoke to an associate pastor of a church. He proceeded to tell me about the prostitues in the area. I asked him if he told them about Jesus. He said that was not his job. He is not led to do that. Huh? Are we not called to reach everyone? Since when have we become so insensitive to the hurting? I wonder if he realized what damage he causes. If he spoke to me like that, I wonder how he treats the memebers of the church. Nevertheless, I will continue to seek my brothers in fellowship.
Posted by: Rev Walter Jimenez at September 20, 2006
I appreciate all the differing views in response to this article. The most significant point I am learning through my own experience as a solo pastor is how the current systems of denominational and local church leadership actually inhibit healthy pastoral leadership. We must recognize the fact that every pastor is a frail human called by God's grace, empowered by His Spirit to fulfill God's call in their life within the body of Christ.
We must remember that every local church and denominational organization is a family system unit. Every relationship influences the other. The call of the whole is to build and equip the parts to grow into the fullness of Christ. When we lay this call too heavily upon one person, the whole system fails. When the local churches recognize how they must come along side of the pastor to help build them up to lead effectively they will see the blessings come upon them as well.
WHen the local pastors recognize their call is to help the local body grow up in Christ and their own failability apart from their own abiding in Christ wiil jeopardize the fulfillment of this call then both sides will begin to work more effectively. Also as the denominational leaders must see themselves as investors in the local pastor for the sake of the well being of the whole local body. With this perspective in mind, it takes ALL parts to focus on the standard-Jesus and to help one another to reflect that standard- not any cultural or historical standard we may have developed along the way.
Posted by: sheryl colter at September 20, 2006
We often forget that the reputation of the clergy has had highs and lows throughout history. George Herbert, born in 1593 into a noble family, was criticized for choosing such a lowly vocation as the Anglican priesthood. His response is timely and timeless:
"It hath been formerly judged that the domestic servants of the King of Heaven should be of the noblest families on earth. And though the iniquity of the late times have made clergymen meanly valued, and the sacred name of priest contemptible; yet I will labour to make it honourable, by consecrating all my learning, and all my poor abilities to advance the glory of that God that gave them. . . . And I will labour to be like my Saviour, by making humility lovely in the eyes of all men, and by following the merciful and meek example of my dear Jesus."
Posted by: M. Lane at September 21, 2006