(You've got to know I love this article! CMR)

Posted on March 27, 2013 by randywhite

Dr. Randy White

If you will allow with a gracious heart, I would like to share a critique from a mid-career, 25-year Pastor, who is somewhat disgusted with the direction of the modern pastoral ministry. I’ll save the most important for last, but I have a few issues which I think have more importance that one may think at first glance. I believe the modern contemporary pastors are shamefully inadequate in the high task to which they have been called. I find it increasingly difficult to find a pastor who can talk about doctrine or theology, even on a basic level. They are sociological experts, they understand group dynamics, they are leadership pros, and they have a good stage presence. They can talk endlessly about golf or March Madness. Some are even experts in the stock market or politics. They can tell me there are 12 Apostles, but cannot tell me why. Here are a few – grievances I have with the modern ministry.

First, the Title: Lead Pastor

I recall a discussion that took place about 15 years ago in which I referred to a Pastor as the man who stands behind the pulpit, and the man who leads the church. There was a youth minister in the room who protested, “We are Pastors too!” When I first began in the ministry, I was a “youth director” and never thought to be offended that I was not called minister or pastor. Along the way, I began to hear of other denominations and other locations that began to call everyone Pastor, and then it came into my own denomination and my own location. With this transition came the title “Senior Pastor” to refer to the one we used to call Pastor. At the time, I wasn’t perceptive enough to see the trend, and even allowed this “Senior” to be put on me. But “Senior Pastor” seemed ill-fitting for 30year-old pastors fresh out of seminary, and so now “Lead Pastor” is the cool title to carry.

Personally, I am beginning a protest. I am the Pastor, and I’m the only Pastor in our church. I have a staff that helps extend my ministry, but none of them have the Spiritual responsibility that I have before God. They are ministers, and they even minister in a pastoral way, but they are not Pastors. The Pastoral role is one that is exclusive in nature. Churches are not led by committees, even if the committee calls themselves Pastors or Elders. The church is led by a single man, who is the God-called leader of the congregation. “Lead Pastor” then, becomes a redundant statement. In fact, the Greek word sometimes translated Pastor and often translated Shepherd (poimen) actually means “to rule” or “the ruler.” It is the same word used of the Lord when it says, “He will rule the nations with a rod of iron.” It is, above all, a leadership word.

I don’t know if the “Lead Pastor” designation is fueled by Pastors who want to spread the responsibility and its coming judgment to others, or by a worldly system that wants to deny the single-Elder rule that is so clear in Scripture. Either way, I choose to be called with the simple and noble term, “Pastor.” When I see “Lead Pastor” I often think, “This guy has been influenced by modern culture more than the Bible.” I pray that most of my friends who have taken the title have done so in the ignorant manner in which I became “Senior Pastor,” and will someday drop the title themselves in order to biblically elevate the office of Pastor in the church.

Second, the Style: Metrosexual

Dress down, dress cool. As long as you do that, all will be well. It helps if you’ll fancy up your hair, spending more on it than a lot of women. If you don’t have hair, shave the head and grow a goatee. These are the secrets to success. Then wear some tight- fitting designer jeans and excessively expensive hip shoes– if you wear shoes at all. Oh, and be sure the shirt is tight-fitting enough to show some bicep, because biceps draw crowds. People want to know that their Pastor can get his way out of a bar-room brawl if needed (and with today’s pastorate, some find themselves with the need).

The modern pastoral style is designed to highlight masculinity. but not too much. The Pastor needs to be a “man’s man,” and should even be jocular at times in speech and conduct. However, he also needs a soft side, so that he can tell sappy stories about hungry children, depressed teens, and wet puppies. Pick almost any of the popular pastors and you’ll see this “I’m a Man” introduction followed by an “I’m as tender-hearted as any girl you’ll ever know” conclusion.

I can’t figure it out. I work with a group of young men who inspire me. They are business men, family men, and real men. They get up in the morning—early in the morning— put on a pair of slacks, shined shoes, and a business shirt before they head to the office. They know if they show up to work at 9:00 dressed in a t-shirt, ragged jeans, and flip-flops, they will be fired. They negotiate, sell, or produce all day long, then come to church at night for Bible study before going home to their family for a good-night story to their sons and daughters. They are good men who love the Lord and are hungry for His Word.

Most of the clothing men wear in the modern pulpit today would not fit the dress code of the school classroom, the bank, the retailer, or even the local Chic-fil-a. Pastors, it’s time to put on your big-boy pants, and get to work.

Third, the Content: Therapy

If it was nothing more than titles and style, it could be said it was much ado about nothing. Sadly, such is not the case. Time after time I listen to the modern sermon waiting for the Biblical meat. I get stories, jokes, crudity, statistics, and endless psycho-babble, but never the Biblical meat. Almost all of them refer to a Bible passage, and many of them read the Bible passage. Some of them give a few facts about the Bible passage (painfully obvious facts, typically). However, seldom does an audience leave with a greater understanding of the message of the Text than when they came.

If it were a literature book, perhaps it wouldn’t matter. I suppose that in a book of literature, stories, myths, allegories, or profundities, the ideas and thoughts are what matters. But the Bible is not a book of ideas and thoughts; it is a book of Words. These words express to us the only understanding of God that we have today. Yes, our only understanding of God comes from words. This means the words, the grammar, the history, the content, and the intent are all important. Whatever idea a modern masculine, but tender Pastor might have about the heart-issues of today can wait for another day. What we really need this Sunday is a Word, from a pulpit, spoken clearly and unapologetically.

Preach the Word, in season and out of season!
___
Join Dr. White each Thursday for online, live, and interactive Bible study. More information at www.RandyWhiteMinistries.org. Look for the Online Bible Studies tab!

Need an example of what this article is about? Click this link to see how the modern church leader is an expert at Easter Eggs but woefully inadequate at theology: KiiiTV3.com South Texas, Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend
[The above link was evidently to the 3/27/13 edition - now updated]