There is more negative said about pastors in the Bible than positive. That should push more men behind pulpits to become more engaged in ACTIVE pastoring rather than PASSIVE pastoring, which isn't pastoring at all.
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.
Jeremiah 23:1-2
1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
The pastors have not visited with the people. That's a glaring clue as to the pharisaical tendency of many pastors, even today.
Here is a message I sent this morning to a local 'passive' pastor, along with the above verses, who initially wanted to meet with me, and then you can read his shocking response.
===============
Modern pastors will say that those verses don't apply to them as modern pastors. One need only consider the broader implications into the arena of isolationism, which springs up from the mentality of most modern pastors of today. Most have lost the understanding of what it means to pastor the babes in Christ. They leave it to their distant teaching from behind pulpits, and make little to no effort to engage with all their membership. The heart of ACTIVE pastoring is sick and feeble in America and Western Europe today.
===============
His immediate response just this morning was this:
"I’m sorry you feel that way."
As shocking as that was, it goes much deeper than just what I think. He wasn't even willing to admit that there is a problem. Church organizations have been reporting for years the losses in membership, and they completely miss the fact that the prime reason for the losses is because there's no relationship that would foster fellowship. The mature believers out there don't need pastoring. It's the babes in Christ who need pastoring. The mature believers need to be equipped and empowered to pastor, with the CEO being just what he is as a distant teacher and coach. The frontline army of those who disciple the new believers, THEY are the ones functioning as pastors, not that guy with the much larger paycheck orchestrating everything from behind a pulpit and from his office.
So, we need an army of REAL pastors rather than just those who are "pastor" in title only because of their seeking after a LARGE following under their teachings. More people means more money. That's the simple and sad reality of it all. Far too many men enjoy that title given to them who are not at all worthy of that title. As a matter of fact, it shouldn't even be a title. None of us should have titles, but rather serve the Lord in simplicity of function in the power of Christ.
Teachers are teachers, and those who pastor are the ones who are and should be discipling the babes in Christ face to face, not from a distance greater than arm's length.
Thoughts?
MM
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.
Jeremiah 23:1-2
1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
The pastors have not visited with the people. That's a glaring clue as to the pharisaical tendency of many pastors, even today.
Here is a message I sent this morning to a local 'passive' pastor, along with the above verses, who initially wanted to meet with me, and then you can read his shocking response.
===============
Modern pastors will say that those verses don't apply to them as modern pastors. One need only consider the broader implications into the arena of isolationism, which springs up from the mentality of most modern pastors of today. Most have lost the understanding of what it means to pastor the babes in Christ. They leave it to their distant teaching from behind pulpits, and make little to no effort to engage with all their membership. The heart of ACTIVE pastoring is sick and feeble in America and Western Europe today.
===============
His immediate response just this morning was this:
"I’m sorry you feel that way."
As shocking as that was, it goes much deeper than just what I think. He wasn't even willing to admit that there is a problem. Church organizations have been reporting for years the losses in membership, and they completely miss the fact that the prime reason for the losses is because there's no relationship that would foster fellowship. The mature believers out there don't need pastoring. It's the babes in Christ who need pastoring. The mature believers need to be equipped and empowered to pastor, with the CEO being just what he is as a distant teacher and coach. The frontline army of those who disciple the new believers, THEY are the ones functioning as pastors, not that guy with the much larger paycheck orchestrating everything from behind a pulpit and from his office.
So, we need an army of REAL pastors rather than just those who are "pastor" in title only because of their seeking after a LARGE following under their teachings. More people means more money. That's the simple and sad reality of it all. Far too many men enjoy that title given to them who are not at all worthy of that title. As a matter of fact, it shouldn't even be a title. None of us should have titles, but rather serve the Lord in simplicity of function in the power of Christ.
Teachers are teachers, and those who pastor are the ones who are and should be discipling the babes in Christ face to face, not from a distance greater than arm's length.
Thoughts?
MM