Pastoral concerns

[berryman]

I have been a long time elder in my congregation and have observed over time work trends of my full time Pastor that have me concerned. My pastor is very hard working, but spends much of his time working outside the needs of our local church. He spends 1-2 days a week substitute teaching for pay. He hosts a radio show once a week, is Northeast region president of our denomination, is a member of an orchestral band that meets weekly, tweets many times a day and in during church service, is an active member of a board of trustees for a not-for-profit, he runs for the school board every year- never wins, is a member the high school principal councel, belongs to the music guild, goes to Belarus(old USSR) every two years to teach for two weeks (paid by Church of 180 members), recently taught at Seminary and most recently is picking up extra spending money taste testing a couple times per month. Lastly he completed his PHd div and went on sabbitcal for three months after serving at the church for 5 years. When questioned about the amount of time spent on his activities ouside the church famiy he always states that the church exists to be outward focused thereby justifying his position. He has no posted office hours other than one staff meeting per work and is only reachable by e-mail and cell phone. My pastor is a very learned man and a gifted teacher, but I believe that he may be self-deceived. One wonders if he really works so much outside the church, not primarly out of a sense of calling or for effective ministry, but because he truly enjoys them. He certainly does not need the money due to a stingy congregation. We have been generous originally selling our modest 2,000 sqft parsonage at his request to build him a new 2700 sqft home with game room and two car garage where he lives with two chidren and a wife ALL expenses paid on top of a $50,000 pay check, retirement plan and a $4,000 personal expense acct that he uses liberally eating out about 7-10 times a week.

I am torn between thinking I am being too critical or looking the other way with a blind eye. I have spoken to another pastor and he has given me sound advise which in a nut shell states that if his activities are officially sanctioned by the church as part of its strategic mission then it should be allowed but evaluated for overall effectiveness. If not sanctioned or effective then it should be discussed.

Looking for advice...

 

[JoJo]

The best advice I can give is to continue praying about this. God knows whether this man is being self-serving. Eventually the pastor will have to answer to God. The pastor needs to remember that he leads not just by words, but by example too. Keep praying!

 

[Armor of God]

If this pastor's primary function is to be leading the congregation on a weekly basis and is constantly absent and having others fill in then I think you have a legitimate point.

I think it's important to have the same man teaching the word of God on a consistent basis to the congregation. It builds up trust among members and gives stability and continuity in the messages. Of course, it's unrealistic to expect him to be there all 52 weeks every year.

To put it in perspective, the pastor at my old church (a very large mega church with a lot of outreach programs) would lead the services about (in my best estimation) 44 out of 52 weeks a year. Those other 8 weeks he was doing other work, at conferences, or on vacation.

I think the advice you received from the other pastor sounds right. There should be some official review of roles and responsibilities of the staff. If his outreach ministries are interfering with his primary function sanctioned by the church he should either scale back those outside activities or turn the helm over to someone else.

 

[Guest]

berryman,

It appears you (the congregation?) and the pastor adhere to different philosophies about the roles of the local church and/or pastor in the local church. This is something which should be discussed openly, respectfully, and honestly with the pastor and the other authority figures in the church. It is important that such a meeting should not be an attack on the pastor or others.

 

[Timf]

In Ephesians chapter four we are told that the purpose of church leaders and the purpose of the church in general is to instruct us and build us up to the full measure of Christ. If a church is not doing this, it is a failure. Do not waste your time or harm your family accepting assurances from people because they have been to seminary or because they say they are smart. If someone cannot help you become like Christ, they have no business in the ministry.

It sounds like you already know what the answer is to your question. The fact that you vacillate, is not so much a measure of your deliberation as it is a reflection of your apprehension of the larger questions. It is natural when facing difficult choices to take a step back and look at larger implications.

1. If this guy is not fit to be a church leader, what about the rest of us?
2. If we are doing what churches usually do, is what we usually do wrong?
3. How should we do church?

Most people do not want to even face these questions much less have them answered. All too often they can tear asunder a comfortable life.

There comes a point where we have to ask ourselves if we follow a God of truth or we follow a God of comfort.

Because you are a leader in this church, you have to ask two separate sets of questions. The first is what would the Lord have you do for you and your family? The second set of questions would be what should you do in your official capacity in the church.

You may decide that the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to quit the church and find a small group or house church where the focus will be on becoming like Christ.

The decision about what to do with the church you are in would depend on what the people there want. They may want the pastor out so they can keep more of the money. They may like the prestige a traveling pastor gives them. It is unlikely that they have much interest in becoming like Christ. In which case, your trying to make them want to be more like Christ would seem to be an exercise in futility.