For the last couple of decades, more and more evangelical pastors have taken a C.E.O. approach to ministry. And why not? If the goal is to gain more attenders (i.e., customers) and to take in bigger offerings (i.e., profit), then obviously the business world has a lot to teach us. Isn't it funny that pastors can attend conferences where they learn how to be good pastors from the founder of a pizza chain and - oh yes - Coach K?
We've confused the goals of pastoring with the goals of business (or even collegiate basketball teams). God's great calling for pastors is not to fill pews and grow budgets, but to lay down their lives in feeding, protecting, and serving His people. We are to be shepherds ministering to God's sheep in humility, not corporate strategists seeking to make our church famous.
Like the Good Shepherd, we are to go before our sheep, guiding them, knowing them by name, protecting them, taking them into pasture; and we should be willing to die for them (since our Savior already has!)
I am completely opposed to the model of pastoring espoused by Andy Stanley in the March, 2006 issue of Leadership Magazine. When asked what was distinctly spiritual about his leadership, his answer was clear and to the point: "Absolutely nothing." To be honest, I expected better of him. EVERYTHING about our leadership ought to be distinctly spiritual! We should pray for the Spirit to sanctify our people, and preach in the Spirit that this might happen. We should strive to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, and to walk in the Spirit. We should depend on the Spirit in every moment of lives, since without Him no good can come of our ministres. Without the Spirit, our leadership can skills might find ways to entertain thousands and expand church budgets, but there will be NOTHING of eternal value. (Let us remember 1 Cor. 3:10-15!)
What do business-model churches create? They create consumer-minded "Christians". And this, in turn, has created a Me-Church generation.
Watch the humurous and poignant video here.
May God give us big hearts to love, serve, and care for His people. Glory to Christ alone!
Justin N.
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Here's the music that goes along with Me Church.
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