Combating Generalizations of Preachers/ Pastors

 Preachers sometimes have a bad reputation in society. Another scandal, another stereotype, another falling short of expectations. There is even a discussion on physical stereotypes of ministers: skinny jeans, polo shirts, and sometimes out of shape white males.

I thought I'd take a few minutes to bring up generalizations I often hear about a preachers' character and work traits. Here are the expressions of angst and some reasons behind the generalizations I often hear for the dislike of those in ministry work.

1. The often come off as knowing it all, they've been there and done that and think they can change the church overnight. Very prideful, and Big heads, unapproachable.

2.  They're always out for your wallet. All they want is your money and to get rich. Bigger is better. Thus the more $$ the more they look good.

3. They lack personal and unbalanced work skills. Extremes - either too lazy (work only one hour a week) or overwork but never take a day off and neglect their family.

4. They tend to be program centered. They focus on the next BIG thing, the next Big Event, Try to get people to come to them. What you win them to is what you have to keep them with.

5. They have poor conflict resolution skills. They try to avoid the conflict.

6. They spend too much time talking about ministry, but are they actually doing it? Oh, pastors like to talk, and get feathers in their cap, but what are they actually doing? 

7. Their EGO. (See #1) I hear comparing of churches. so what size is your church? How many did you have on Sunday? How many staff members? etc. It becomes a competition, rather than partnership.

8. Lack of planning. Accountability, stewardship, Vision, mission, etc. come to mind but also so does the everyday. Sermon series, plans etc.

I hope this doesn't come across as I dislike those in the ministry. I am in the trenches. The reasons above are just a drop in the bucket of what I've seen and heard. There are great many preachers and teachers of God's Word out there who have dealt with these criticisms in their lives and go above and beyond the Call. I really do love Preachers, but the generalizations like the above give the ministry a bad reputation, let's try to do better. Who's with me?

The Next Gen Preacher Search

I saw this "competition" from my alma mater and wondering about it. (IT might be a Good thing but communicates something different) Found here: https://www.pepperdine.edu/spiritual-life/church-relations/ngps/ They travel to CA and get coached by a team, and of course if "Win" can preach to many as 25 000. (Who wouldn't want that, right?). Here are some of the issuesI have with this idea: 

1. It turns preaching into the NEXT BIG THING - competition, celebrity mega pastor, Idol, Got talent thing rather than a calling. 

2. It wastes money. Sure 2 students and their professors go cross country to "compete" with others - is it good stewardship? 

3. What does this say to others in the preaching program? (Oh, these students are better than you and well forget you and ministry you'll never make it)

 4. Does this communicate reality? Preaching ministry is more than Speaking. What about pastoral, administrative etc. 

5. What about the small church? Fact is 85% od churches are small ... and for a Christian University to elevate Certain students, or Certain "Mega Stars" tends to send the wrong message. (one of the things I currently like about guys like Bob Russell, Ben Merold, and Wayne Smith was their zeal and down to earth manner in which they never thought themselves as arriving but concern for the church Big and small. 

6. What about emphasis on mentoring? (Backto point 4 Reality) There are some things post-secondary education (Bible College/Seminary) doesn't teach you. Even guys that think they aren't going into "Preaching" need some exposure to Field Work. (Ministry isn't for sissies afterall) 

7. The next "Gen Preach" Search needs to be more about Calling, than communicating. Sometimes the best preaching is done outside the pulpit. You can have a Great communicator but that doesn't make a "Great" preacher. The best preachers I know would never necessarily speak on a National Level but be Jesus in shoes. 

8. Preaching does change lives. Preaching isn't this competition. It takes God's Word and communicates it to others for life change. How beautiful are the feet that bring good news? Let's celebrate all the beautiful feet not just the ones wearing certain Shoes.

 9. I think the early preachers of the church weren't the best communicators but God used them anyways. The Apostles changed the World upside down. 

10. Some of the early Restoration Leaders had different preaching styles. (Compare Campbell to Stone). 

Yes, we should celebrating the "Preaching Ministry" but somehow I don't think "This Search" is the way to do it. 

Thoughts?

Books I'm currently reading this Spring 2023

Are You Jesus?

 

 Col.1:27 “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

A group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Christmas night’s dinner. In their rush through the airport, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane, just in time. All but one. He told the others to go on without him and went back to where the apples were all over the floor. He was glad he did.

The little girl, the apple seller, was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks, as she groped for her spilled produce, the crowd swirling about her, rushing to their flights.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped reorganize her display. He set aside the bruised and battered apples in a separate basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did.

Are you okay?” She nodded through her tears.

He continued, “I hope we didn’t spoil your day too badly.”

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, “Mister….” He paused and turned to look back.

She continued, “Are you Jesus?”

He couldn’t get that question out of his head for days. It was such a simple, small-scale event, but it made him see clearly what following Christ was really all about. “Love one another as I have loved you.” To be a Christian is to be another Christ. It is the little things. It is to be Jesus’ hands and feet to all people. This year as we try to point people to Jesus in 2023 may we show it in our attitudes, actions. Be a living sermon, a sermon in shoes. Who is with me?

See you Sunday.  

In Him,   Gerrard

Currently Reading

 

A Look Back at 2021

 Here's a  look back of 2021. It was an interesting year.

We had just over came Covid 19 at the end of 2020 ..Nov-Dec.  Brian turned 16, worked at Arbys, got a car and a girlfriend ... then later went on to work at Food Lion. He was back in person learning.

Nicole had back in-person for her senior year. Graduated in June ...and went onto Virginia Tech and is loving her first year there.

Kendra was going to Reynolds. Took a few classes. This Fall she took an "Improv" class which she loved. She decided Post-secondary education wasn't for her. She is currently looking for employment.

Valerie is working at Atlee Christian loves it. 

We lost Hope our Cat in the Spring. We made the difficult decision after her battle with a cancerous tumor ..and removed ... it came back ... so we laid her to rest. In the Summer, we've been blessed with 3 kittens - by surprise who changed our lives. Sammie, Luna and Toby. All black cats that we love dearly.

I got my citizenship (After many years) July 4th this year. So exciting, and got to vote in my first election.

In Church news, We've been holding together - in a post-midst Covid Church-  streaming, outreach - Fun Day etc. Some of the highlights include: Camp, Homecoming, Fun Day, missions, ICOM etc.

As I look back, I see a bright future ahead.

To Read in 2022

 Every year I Read several books. Here are ones that I am currently reading and have on my To READ list and are waiting for me to pick up. They include:

When Your Church Feels Stuck - Chris Sonken.

The Art of Dying - Rob Moll.

Winning the War in Your Mind - Craig Groeschel.

Don't Blow Up Your Ministry - Michael MacKenzie.

WE  TOO ME - Mary Demuth

Messy Truth - Caleb K

Rediscover Church - 

Turning Church Members into Disciple Makers - Tim Wallingford

Made to Stick - Chip Heath & Dan Heath

What are you reading? Recommendations for me to read?