Pastor, Preacher or Both?

Preaching is a small part of pastoring. Absolutely, a man can do both.

 

Usually churches that want their pastor to visit or do anything a lot demand less of themselves in that area.

 

Some are people persons charisma all that stuff.
Others are more bookwormish or whatever and they want to stay in the study to long. Some are lazy and don't want to study.Some are lazy and don't want to shepherd the flock.
I think its like this. We need to discipline ourselves to apply ourselves in a more firm way to the areas where we are weak. Sometimes I think the worse thing that ever happened is the
"Spiritual gifts test". Some guys hide behind the fact that "Well that is just not my gift". Bologna. Sometimes God will place you where your weaknesses stick out like a sore thumb because He needs to do some more work on you. Or that is exactly where you need to be because it is the only place God can accomplish anything in your life where He can get the glory. Sometimes He doesn't do that.
If God called you He will enable you. Even in the areas you don't like. Its a matter of surrender.
Of course you can be both.
I'm afraid today to many depend upon natural ability, talent, gifts or whatever you want to call it instead of looking to God.

 

When young Alexander MacClaren was being interviewed by the silver-bearded elders at the Tabernacle at Edinburgh, they made a very handsome offer, including a manse, a fine carriage with horses, a goodly income, and a summer holiday every year. The young preacher said to them, "But you have not heard my condition." After a short silence, the senior elder said to him, "And what might that be, young doctor?" MacClaren fixed his gaze upon them and said, "You can have my head or my feet, but not both." The senior elder, with full agreement, said, "Give us your head, and we will be your feet."

The result of that bargain was one of the great churches of that day, and 31 volumes of sermons preached straight through the Bible.

The ministry (Ep 4:11) is for (pros)the equipping of the saints for (eis, unto) the work of the ministry, for (eis, unto) the building up of the church.

If a church does not give its pastor the liberty and time to get into the Word, they would be better off hiring a church social worker and buying a giant screen TV to pipe in Stanley, Swindol, and MacArthur instead of having live preaching.

 

Good post, Major!!!

BUT

What in "Tarnation" is a Manse???

 

Fancy word for parsonage.

 

Certainly a man can be both a good pastor and a good preacher. (I hate those guys!!!! Just kidding) Usually men are unusually gifted in one area or the other though. I agree that no man can please all the the people all the time, nor should he try to the point that he tries to be someone he isn't. Phony men in the mministry is the bane of modern Christianity. Too many people choose their church based on what the church, or the pastor in some cases, can do for them, ie., entertain them, counsel them, encourage their children, etc. I know a few men, and really only a few, that are both great preachers and great pastors.

 

God gives church leaders different strengths and passions. Personally I believe a person should seek to develop and enhance their strengths and not focus on improving their weaknesses. God has gifted other people to be strong in areas where I am weak. Allow those people to operate from their strengths.

My strengths do not lie in the more "pastoral" roles (as defined in this thread), therefore I do not attempt to be someone I am not. I allow those who are strong in that area to fulfill their gifts.

That does not mean I never function in the empathetic pastoral role, but it does mean that even when I do put on that hat, it is not natural for me. I am more of a vision-caster, communicator, empowering-others type pastor (which is what is needed for our type ministry).

If pastors would learn to focus on their strengths and passions and allow others to serve in their areas of passion, it would help create a balanced environment. Usually one of two things happen though: 1. A pastor is unwilling to allow others to function in areas they are stronger than the pastor (insecurity on the pastor's part) OR 2. Church's expect pastors to be strong in areas they are not strong.

To be honest with you, if someone is sick they probably do not want me to visit them because empathy is simply not one of my "gifts". However there are people on our team that do very well in connecting with people who are hurting. God has gifted them in that way.

Anyway - that is a long answer for a simple question.

 

It's like football: You have to teach your kicker how to tackle, but he will never be the star tackler. By the same token, you teach your defensive line how to catch a ball (for interceptions), but you concentrate on teaching them how to get through the offensive line and tackle.

You may need to work on your weaknesses, but you should concentrate on your strengths.

 

You are right. If one reads Acts 6 he will soon realize that the elders/pastors/shephers cannot do everything nor should they. Their specialtiy is pastoral care particularly devoting themselves to the word and prayer.

How can any preacher declare he knows God if he has not devoted himself to the word and prayer?