4 Pastors Your Church Doesn’t Need
You know that “average” pastor?
Decent on the relational intelligence scale?
Not that strong of a leader?
Would never be invited to speak at a conference?
This blog isn’t about that pastor. This blog isn’t about ministry competency as much as it is about Biblical chemistry and the role of the pastor.
This post is about other pastors, whose competency and capacity may highly exceed the “average” pastor, but who I believe are not needed at our local churches.
Here are 4 descriptions of those pastors, followed by an explanation.
1. The Ideologue
This pastor is super smart, culturally aware, and is really great at synthesizing cultural themes with Biblical ones. None of these things are negatives. It’s great that he blogs, is invited to panel discussions, and is a Twitter influencer.
The problem is - he’s continually flying at 50,000 feet, disconnected from the actual inner workings of the very local church he’s called to serve. He doesn’t want to be bothered by the urgent things of real people, preferring to stay on the important things of ideas and analysis.
The problem with the Idealogue is that he’s serving an audience (out there somewhere) more than his own congregation. In fact, it’s entirely possible that he’s connecting better with those outside of his church than within.
Your church may love his intellect, but worthy of a full time salary? That’s an altogether different issue.
2. The Entitled Specialist
This pastor is super gifted. A fantastic communicator or a brilliant organizational mind, this individual is unusually wired to operate a certain way.
The problem is - this person only wants to do that specific thing, and literally do nothing else.
The staff finds it unusual since the church is not that big (relatively speaking). Furthermore, it’s a questionable way to steward the church’s finances since the church ends up hiring out for administration, or pastoral care, or teaching, or organizational leadership - not to mention the confusing theological signals given about what the local church should be.
The Specialist may be gifted, but his functional role week to week is not necessarily the greatest gift to the church.
3. The Vomiting Processor
People are drawn to the Processor because he doesn’t have everything figured out and he’s raw and honest about it.
The problem is, he too often works out his issues - whether it’s internal, relational, theological, or ministerial - publicly. They just spew out their rawest thoughts in the name of authenticity without considering the damage it may do to their hearers.
There’s nothing wrong with being in process. We’re all in process. But Processors use their pastoral platform and the people before them as therapists who are there to listen, or consultants who are there to coach, rather than sheep who need to be cared for.
All pastors should be lifelong processors because no one fully arrives, but a habitual practice of using a public role to vomit all thoughts is unbecoming for a shepherd. They should go be a blogger. Or podcaster. But not a pastor.
4. The Passion Project Entrepreneur
The Passion Project Entrepreneur is brimming with all sorts of ideas about different ministry opportunities, ways to impact the world, and putting on a conference.
The problem is - his own house is out of order. The elders aren’t sure what’s happening. There’s theological confusion amongst the staff. No one follows up on newcomers. There is no standardized process for training God’s people. The sermons are usually half-baked. The kid’s ministry is merely babysitting. And on goes the list.
I truly believe spiritual entrepreneurs are needed. They move the ball forward in a way where we can see and celebrate the Kingdom. But if the local church is central to the kingdom, pastors need to spend the bulk of their time keeping their own house in order. Needless to say, it’s flat out insulting to church members who sacrifice, tithe, and follow the vision of the church only to see their pastor care more about things happening outside their church.
“Yeah but what about Tim Keller? He’s an ideologue.”
“Look at what Craig Groeschel does as a specialist.’
“Francis Chan is such an effective processor.”
“And Rick Warren is an incredible spiritual entrepreneur.”
And they’re rare breeds we should appreciate, not imitate. (Besides, they have built in ministry structures which took decades to build. And many of them have operated this way more so recently.)
For the rest of us, we have a high calling to pursue - and that’s to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.” (Ephesians 4:12-13)
See the danger of the aforementioned 4 types of pastors is that they essentially put themselves - their gifts, desires, and needs - above that of God’s people. But the role of the pastor according to Ephesians 4 runs in the exact opposite direction - it’s to place attention on developing and nurturing God’s people so that they could walk into their God-given ministries.
If you’re a pastor, please spend the majority of your energies pastoring your people. That’s why you’re their pastor!
Sure, it’s okay for you to pursue your bent. But please do so wisely stewarding your time and honoring your church’s resources. Also do it under the wisdom and counsel of your elders and/or supervisor. (Yes, I currently blog with the blessing of my supervisor).
And if you’re ever unsure with how you’re doing, ask God’s people for feedback. No, not your closest staff member, but ask the person who’s been in your ministry for a year if they feel taken care of. Then go ask 5 other people.
If you’re at a church and you feel like your pastor operates out of one of these leanings, grow to appreciate the gift that your pastor is to your church and to other churches.
But if it’s really challenging (and it has been for some time), begin to take the first step of reflective prayer as you consider entrusting your spiritual direction under the care of a local church pastor. But do this slowly, in the context of community.
When I reflect back on my years as a Christian, I am so thankful for the many “average” local church pastors who shepherded me, taught me God’s Word, and prayed for me regularly. They’re heroes because they pursued what the Bible said about the pastorate. What an incredible calling!
