Oxymoron? Pastor's Enjoying Community

I have recently read a book by Joe Hellerman called "When the Church was a Family". He challenged me with this thought in particular. If the church is truly an community then why are pastors often the outsider? If the church is a supposed to be the family of brothers and sisters, then how come pastors are the last ones to experience community in their own church? How can a pastor preach and encourage people to authentic community and not have a close trusted relationship with anyone in the church.

The disconnect for pastors is an all too familiar scenario. Pastors have a greater tendency to limit closer relationships with peers outside of the immediate family. The reasons for that may be obvious. Perhaps they have been burned by an insider who has abused confidential information? Maybe the expectations for pastors to have it together precludes vulnerability? Maybe the pastor is convinced that they are an exception? Whatever the reason, far too many pastors go without community all their ministry life.

Allow me to share a quote from Hellerman's book. This is why we must answer the question, (who are my brothers and sisters ?) in terms of of the people in our own congregations. It will not do for us to share our lives only with other leaders in the broader Christian community, as helpful as that might be on occassion. If a pastor is unwilling to risk openness with a handful of brothers is his church--for whatever reason--the the members will surely do likewise. We simply cannot take our people where we are unwilling to go. We must be willing to go there whatever the cost. AGREE?

Is the pastor enjoying community an oxymoron in your life?

MIDDLE GROUND

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 these words: "In this meaningless life, I have seen everything, including the fact that some good people die young and some wicked people live on and on. So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand don't be too wicked either--don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time: so try to walk a middle course--but those who fear God will succeed either way."

Solomon is proposing a priniciple that a life lived in some kind of balance while fearing God is the pathway to success.

A question we all have to answer then is this: Where do we find middle ground in our lives? Balanced living seems to be a pretty illusive concept in our culture.

Every pastor especially needs to find that balance or the church can quickly impact their equilibrium.

I believe the church is more demanding than ever before. Let me share some lines from my book: "People in our culture have grown accustomed to an endless parade of choices. Needless to say, we live in a culture of gratification and fulfillment. What's in it for me? This is the question that the consumer asks routinely. The church can get caught up in the market-driven mentality of the free enterprise system, just like secular business. Once this happens, the law of supply and demand becomes the governing principle. As a result, church leaders find themselves shopping for the competitive answers and cutting-edge innovative technology that will improve their product. Pastors begin to spend inordinate amounts of time comparing, contrasting and following the latest church-growth guru in their quest for a newer and more successful formula. Pretty soon, the man of God is driven in ministry. the tail is now wagging the dog."

Does this sound like a pastor who has found middle ground? Is the tail wagging the dog in your life? Where are you out of balance?

Communion or Call

I was listening to Dr Dobson interview H. B. London last night and H.B. said something that struck me. He said, many pastors are enamored more with their call to ministry than the one who called them. What he meant is that too many pastors are caught up in the grind and success of performing good ministry without taking the time for real communion with God. Needless to say I have witnessed too many pastors in my ministry that are caught up in the same grind.

John Owen, Puritan theologian wrote this prayer, " I pray with all my heart that I may be weary of everything else but.....communion with Him"

What excites you more about your ministry, numerical growth, sermon preparation, people's lives changing, or communion with Abba Father?

May I add this prayer to the list: Lord I pray that my ministry is an overflow of intimacy with you. May it never be flesh driven or mechanical.

Help me not to get so caught in my call that I miss the one who called me. AMEN