This book is the "Pastor's Success Handbook" and it is filled with answers to questions that every preacher will need to know during his ministry. Every pastor should have this great book in his library and _______ wants to GIVE it to you! This great book contains simple steps to... Better Crowds * Bigger Offerings * More Results * Greater Revivals * Appealing Sermons * Happy Church Relationships * A More Effective Ministry!Hmm... maybe that's my problem. I'm just not sure that's what I think church should be about. Though it probably makes for a good promotional item.
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I liked this definition Glenn Smith gave us last weekend at the Healthy Reproducing Churches Conference:
"The Church is a community of Christ-followers who are continuing the mission of Jesus."
I like that. The thing is, it can look a lot different to a lot of different people too. So let me ask you... What is something you think every preacher should know? Or something you "wish" every preacher knew? Really, I would be interested to know.
10 comments:
Umm ... since you asked ... I don't know if this is what you are getting at or not ...
I guess when thinking in the frame of reference of my various Pastors - I don't want Pastors to actually KNOW ANYTHING more than they already do. Most Pastors I have encountered KNOW too much already - or think they do. I want them to KNOW less and ASK more. Rather than telling me what Jesus should mean to me - ask me what Jesus DOES mean to me.
I don't want a road map, just a signpost. Don't give me directions, just point me the way.
FWIW
Thanks Lily/Erin. Yes, that's exactly what I'm looking for. And I think I understand what you're saying. So, could you offer any suggestions as to what a sermon might look/sound like?
I'm not arguing with you at all, I am seriously curious. Because my understanding of a pastor (and what I try to do) is to study God's Word, spend time in prayer, and spend time getting to know people - that's what I assume a pastor's job to be. And out of that, I try to "preach" what I think God wants people to know, and what I think people need to hear. Is this being presumptious? Is it inconsiderate?
I didn't really mean to bait anyone into more questions, but I'm curious. And thanks again for answering, Lily.
Wow, you're actually going to make me think about this, huh? And I'm certainly not suggesting any of this necessarily applies to you personally - you aren't my Pastor so I wouldn't presume to know. This is based on my personal experience - and offered because you asked.
I think it has to do with attitude more than what is actually said. If a Pastor thinks the most important part of his job is to have the answers rather than being relational, there begins a problem.
Something you said about spending time getting to know people - that's a key. When you have a Pastor who doesn't really want to know people - ok, well I'm sure most Pastors WANT to know people, but just don't take enough time, don't make it a priority, for whatever reason. And I'm not talking just knowing people's names, I mean taking time to really get to know them. Knowing what the inside of their "living room" looks like - either literally or at least figuratively (the "living room" being "where they live" spiritually). If a Pastor doesn't really know the people he/she leads, how will they ever know what God wants to share with them? That is where we get into presumption, when the Pastor begins to believe he instinctively knows what is best for the people. (And here I could get up on my soapbox about delegating tasks so that he/she has time to be relational, but I'll spare you.)
I suppose it's hard - people look to the Pastor for direction and many people expect their Pastor to have all the answers. But I wonder if some people could be encouraged to stop perpetuating the myth that the Pastor knows IT ALL. I think this is what motivates a Pastor to spend more time studying and earning various degrees and writing books than really getting to know the people he leads. Needing to prove he/she has all the answers.
Instead, lead people into seeking their own answers sometimes - although I understand the hesitancy for this, because we might find ourselves on the slippery slope into total spiritual anarchy. That's what the emerging church is all about, you know. ;-)
I guess it's important for a Pastor to have answers for people - but again, it's the attitude - that what "I SAY GOES" vesus "This is what I understand to be true, but I could be wrong." (At least on some points - obviously I'm not saying that the deity of Christ is negotiable, ya know.)
I guess those are the thoughts I gather before I've had my coffee. Can you tell I have been hurt? I try not to be bitter, but something in the process of thinking about this stikes a nerve with me.
Anyhow, thanks for asking. Oh, and can you tell I actually met real live women Pastors last weekend - like really actually ordained and all that - not just "Laypastors", but Presbyterian Reverends? It was cool. I had heard of such a thing but I had thought it was just a myth...it's all part of the slippery slope I guess... ;-)
Peace.
Well, you know if you ask a duck a question, the answer is going to be "quack."
I don't think the walls on the church would stay up if there weren't hard-fast answers to some key questions. Thus bringing about the different denominations of religion. If I go into a Catholic church and say "why do you have prayers to Mary? Mary was a person, not God." I'm going to get some quick answers. Whether I choose to integrate those answers into my personal journey of faith is up to me.
I guess what I'm saying is, the duck will say Quack, the Cow will say Moo and your interpretation can be Quack, Moo, or Moo-Quack, but that part is up to you. You can't tell the duck and cow to say something else because it confuses you. Not everything is a shade of gray or leaves you with a salad-bar of choices. Take the answer, do with it what you want. I guess that's why the journey is... well... personal.
Now if you want people who can talk all day long and never say anything definitive and leave you with all kinds of choices that you don't really have, I'd recommend going into politics.
Every preacher ought to know the same thing Paul preached to the Corinthians: Jesus Christ crucified.
Quack?
I'm sorry, Dan, I broke this conversation. I'll pay you back... and if you've got a broom and dustpan, I'll get that cleaned up.
Ha! The word verification I have to type go post this message is "yadaz"
Lily, Mike, & Milton...
Thanks for your thoughts. This is certainly not a "right and wrong" question, and I appreciate the depth of your answers.
I've waited to chime in, because I'm still open to more thoughts if anyone has them???
...peace & blessings
MR,
Ha... no need to apologize. I think your answer was right on. I think one of the most dangerous things the church faces is a leader who does nothing but try to please everyone else (quacking when they should be mooing, or vice-versa). Not that I think there is any danger that "we" could destroy the church. I believe God can take care of himself. So... thanks again for the comment.
I also agree with Milton that there are some things that are absolutely necessary to know.
And I understand Lily's past hurts... I've been there too. Pastor's need to "know" a LOT, but they run into problems when they think they know it ALL.
Carry on...
I really don't think Pastors need to have nearly as many answers as they think they should. I have rescued many a bruised and broken person from a Pastor or leadership who told them that if they didn't agree with the Pastor's teaching, word for word, they weren't a follower of Jesus. This is an abuse of power and I while I know it's not everywhere, it happens all too often. I don't believe Jesus needs us to defend His honor, I think He's pretty capable of that Himself.
Maybe I should be in politics ;-)
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