The Emerging Pastor (or “Christian Influencer”) Who Makes Me Nervous

I’m always amazed and encouraged when I see a pastor’s influence (or a Christian’s social media account) take off.

It’s a beautiful sight when pastors and influencers leverage their gifts, stories, and platforms for God. It’s a benefit to those under their influence and a testament to the power of God. 

At the same time, I feel a bit nervous when I see a combination of key factors playing out in the life of the leader or influencer.  

Here are a few of these factors in no particular order: 

1. Not Really Tethered to a Local Church

This is the leader or influencer who is either 1) Not going to church 2) Not an active, engaged member of a local church 3) Is on staff and goes to church, but mainly to fulfill one’s role rather than partake in the life of the church or 4) Is on staff but functions more like an itinerant speaker or social media influencer.

This person is not really known by his or her church community. This person may talk a lot about spirituality, but they are not modeling Biblical New Testament spirituality in which the local church exists as an indispensable component of one’s faith. This is the individual who is more motivated by outside opportunities than playing the long game of discipleship according to the designed template of the Scriptures.

2. Is the “Brand” of a Church, Organization, or Network

There’s nothing inherently wrong with being an attraction or a draw for people. Influence is a gift given to some. A Biblical example would be the way God exalted Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites. God initiated this for his own purposes.

The potential danger comes from the individual’s brand resulting in an overwhelming influence in one’s church, network, or organization. Things, therefore naturally begin to revolve around this individual. There is a strong gravitational pull towards this individual, often to a degree that is beyond appropriate or healthy. Decision making, for example, can become filtered through and dependent on this person to an unhealthy degree.

3. Is Unusually Gifted 

This isn’t the leader who is recognized as being gifted by God’s people. This is the leader who is recognized as being really gifted by other gifted leaders. In my observation, unusually gifted leaders are able to weave in and out of multiple disciplines of ministry with high levels of competency and relative ease. For example, they’re good preachers, strong visionaries, and great administrators. Or they have great leadership skills, are relationally savvy, and have a strategic mind.

I once heard Matt Chandler say he fears for the leader who says what he thinks is obvious while everyone else is blown away by their insight. It’s a strange place to be around an unusually gifted individual, isn’t it? Everyone begins to think he or she must be an expert in all things. They begin to turn off their brains and defer to the gifted. Eventually, the gifted person will believe the hype to the detriment of all.

4. Doesn’t Cultivate a Culture and Practice of Feedback and Accountability 

This is the leader or influencer who talks about the importance of accountability and feedback. “I want my friends and mentors to call me out if they see anything weird” they’ll say. “I have a board above me” they’ll say.

But if you look under the hood of their stated values, accountability and mentors are merely in their minds, not on their calendars. In other words, this is the individual who is never challenged. And they might prefer it to stay that way due to efficiency and the ever-growing task-list. 

So why do these factors make me nervous?

Because a human being (even one who has the Holy Spirit) is already swimming upstream by trying to live purely in a fallen world.

But throw in incredible gifts, unchallenged influence, and a lack of community and accountability? It will be a grueling and desperate swim against a rapid current of temptation. And it’s one thing to strive for a season, but it’s an exhausting and tiring thing to do so for months, years, and decades in isolated influence.

But in addition to the temptation will be the ever-lurking danger of self-deception. 

Jamie Goggin, in his co-written work “The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb: Searching for Jesus’ Path of Power in a Church That Has Abandoned It” writes:

“In my early years of ministry I was convinced that my quest for power was merely a fervent commitment to the important work of the kingdom. My grandiose fantasy of success was excused as an embrace of God’s big plan for my life. I had big dreams because I had ‘bold faith.’ My emphasis on building a strong resume and winning the approval of others was about making the most of my talents and abilities for God’s glory. I found it surprisingly easy to adorn the way from below in the platitudes of Christian leadership, magically transforming evil into good.” 

In other words, even with the best of intentions, we have the terrifying ability to convince ourselves of a reality that is not accurate. We can deceive ourselves. We can convince ourselves that our evil motives are good. 

Concluding Thoughts

I’m personally tired of seeing those with passion and potential flame out to the detriment of themselves and those under their influence.

If you’re an emerging pastor or influencer, would you carve out space to take an honest inventory of your life and doctrine? Consider reflecting on your relationship with your local church (if you’re at one). If you’re a pastor, do you merely delight in your role or in your people? Have you become the focal point of your church, organization, or network? Are you viewed as the expert in all things? Even if you have the final say, do you actually consider the input of others? Do you have mentors in your life? If I called those you consider mentors, would they agree they can speak into your life? Can people in your church or organization disagree with you? Would they feel comfortable disagreeing with you? Would you?

This post isn’t to ask you to abdicate your influence, but to encourage you to proactively influence the very influence you possess.

If you’re the friend of or are in the inner circle of an emerging pastor or influencer, would you intentionally love your friend, pastor, or leader? Influence is an incredible gift, but it can also be a pressure cooker that drives many towards isolation. Please consider leveraging your relational capital to spend time with, to ask loving questions, and to be a safe sounding board. If you feel a lack of trust, would you consider investing in the relationship in order to build capital? Your friend or leader may not appreciate it in the here and now, but they will appreciate it in the long run.

The Kingdom can have leaders whose influence take off while being grounded in character, health, and the local church. I believe this is possible. We just need to see more of it.