The Approval of Men

If some young Christian wants to gain authority in this system, he usually has to separate himself from his home church, gain some “church ‘cred” through intellectual theological pursuits (aka seminary), get stamped with a denomination’s approval, and then get himself installed in some church, either by getting a placement by the higher-ups or by marketing himself so that he can be voted in. 

At no point, for most aspiring ministers, do they have to demonstrate through the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of their ministries that they have been appointed by God.  As long as they are thoroughly credentialed and approved by men—and have an agreeable speaking style and a good sense of humor—they are seen as fit to lead our churches.  Good hair is recommended, but still optional in most denominations.

Once established at the head of the church, the pastor looks out over a sea of unknown faces.  He has led none of these people to the Lord.  He has brought none of these marriages back from the brink of divorce.  He has opened none of these eyes, yet, to the mystery of our union with Christ.  He has trained none of these people, yet, to love and to do good works.  The only authority he has is the approval of a board, the quick (and mostly uninformed) vote of a congregation, or the appointment from a distant authority (which, itself, has no real claim to authority). 

He might say the Bible is his source of authority, but in a Protestant church, that’s true for everyone.  Since his authority as “pastor” actually rests on the approval of men, he consciously or unconsciously strives to maintain his approval rating. 

Some of these efforts, like getting to know the people of the congregation personally, are good and edifying.  But others are not.  And most pastors know that American churches measure success in material terms. 

They want to see numerical growth, even though the extra people are coming from other churches instead of coming from the ranks of the lost.  They want to see church buildings go up.  They want to see more programs started.  They want to get on TV or on radio, because these accoutrements show that “God is blessing them.” 

The congregation wants to be able to point to some external things, pat themselves on the back, and thank God that they are part of a vibrant and growing church.  Knowing this, the pastor usually doesn’t dare cut programs and simplify the organization.  He usually doesn’t dare question the assumed “need” for the church to “tear down its barns and build bigger barns.” 

Internal growth takes longer and seems less glorious.  Exhorting people to obey the commands of Jesus doesn’t win friends quickly.  Confronting people about their sins or their fleshly motivations could win him enemies.  Confessing his own sins and asking for help might lower the congregation’s respect for their “spiritual leader.” 

The pastor doesn’t dare sacrifice the external trappings of church in order to work against the flesh and build the spiritual maturity of the real church, the people. 

That would be ministerial suicide.

Coming soon...Chapter 5.5:  Pastoral Problems, Part Two

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