Preaches and Pastors and Deacons Oh My

[JonC]

Ok....just preachers and pastors. Had to add deacons to sa "oh my".

I have been thinking about pastors I have sat under over the past decades. I have never had a bad experience and they were all godly men.

But thinking back, there were many who were excellent preachers but poor pastors. Likewise, I have sat under some who were excellent pastors but only adequate preachers (more like Paul than Apollos).

When churches select new pastors my experience is the deciding point is the pastors sermons while being introduced to the congregation.


Am I the only one who has experienced this?

Which do you believe is the most important role as a pastor (if one is better, which should it be)?

 

[Deacon]

... I have been thinking about pastors I have sat under over the past decades. I have never had a bad experience and they were all godly men.

But thinking back, there were many who were excellent preachers but poor pastors. Likewise, I have sat under some who were excellent pastors but only adequate preachers ...

That's the reason why a church should have a plurality of elders.
Generally one person doesn't have the full complement of gifts necessary to build up a church.
Having a plurality of elders serves a local body of believers best.
A goal of smaller churches should be to develop leaders to complement their preacher and take some of the burden that elders carry.

Rob

 

[Armchair Apologist]

You should include the Deacons because they are usually the main one sitting on the "Pulpit Committee" and are making the ultimate decision on who to "Call" as the next pastor of a church!

I was in a Church that was between pastors for over a year and it seemed every Sunday that there was someone different doing "Pulpit Supply" and you had some real "Yay-hoos" coming out of the woodwork breaking out their "Sugar Stick" messages in order to try and impress us into calling them to come and pastor our church! Needless to say, I am not at all impressed with "Barnstormin' Preechin'!" Anyone who calls a preecher based upon how he can "Shuck the corn" is a fool and you can tell them I said so!

It was becoming a bit scary for me because I knew that I was far more qualified than most of the "Preechers" being paraded before us and I was teaching the Adult Sunday School class at the time and I was afraid they would start looking at me! Truth be known, I was just coming back to the Lord at the time (long story) and I really needed to be under the guidance of a strong pastor myself.

I would consider myself an "above average" preacher and teacher but I am definitely not "Pastor" material. Being divorced, I do not wish to have such a "stigma" attached to any pastoral ministry nor do I wish to subject my wife or my family to any such drama.

I would say that the real "Pastoring" is the stuff that hardly anyone sees! Does he love the congregation and is he approachable? When you go to him for marital advice or anything for which you are struggling, will he be able to provide anything of substance? You do not get this from someone just showing up on a Sunday morning and preaching his best "sugar stick" message!

The requirements set forth in 1 Tim 3 is that they must be "apt to teach," not the ability to "blister the paint" on the walls! Save that for the "Evan-Jell-ist" as you can always send him packing once you are done with his shenanigans!

 

[JonC]

That's the reason why a church should have a plurality of elders.
Generally one person doesn't have the full complement of gifts necessary to build up a church.
Having a plurality of elders serves a local body of believers best.
A goal of smaller churches should be to develop leaders to complement their preacher and take some of the burden that elders carry.

Rob

I agree (regardless of what we call them...many Baptists would have an issue with the title "elders").

I attend a small church (started as a church plant last year to reach the community - both the lost and unchurched). We started with a handful of people and have anout 100 to 150. Our pastor is a very good preacher and pastor. But we have several gifted leaders (all members have gifts and should function within the congregation).

My last church was a bit different. The pastor was a very good preacher, but other leaders took up actually pastoring the congregation.

I am not saying anything is wrong with any approach. It seems there are many ways to cover the bases. But I prefer a good pastor over an excellent preacher (if a choice had to be made between the two for an "overseer" position). I also believe these leaders should come from within the congregation.

 

[JonC]

You should include the Deacons because they are usually the main one sitting on the "Pulpit Committee" and are making the ultimate decision on who to "Call" as the next pastor of a church!

I was in a Church that was between pastors for over a year and it seemed every Sunday that there was someone different doing "Pulpit Supply" and you had some real "Yay-hoos" coming out of the woodwork breaking out their "Sugar Stick" messages in order to try and impress us into calling them to come and pastor our church! Needless to say, I am not at all impressed with "Barnstormin' Preechin'!" Anyone who calls a preecher based upon how he can "Shuck the corn" is a fool and you can tell them I said so!

It was becoming a bit scary for me because I knew that I was far more qualified than most of the "Preechers" being paraded before us and I was teaching the Adult Sunday School class at the time and I was afraid they would start looking at me! Truth be known, I was just coming back to the Lord at the time (long story) and I really needed to be under the guidance of a strong pastor myself.

I would consider myself an "above average" preacher and teacher but I am definitely not "Pastor" material. Being divorced, I do not wish to have such a "stigma" attached to any pastoral ministry nor do I wish to subject my wife or my family to any such drama.

I would say that the real "Pastoring" is the stuff that hardly anyone sees! Does he love the congregation and is he approachable? When you go to him for marital advice or anything for which you are struggling, will he be able to provide anything of substance? You do not get this from someone just showing up on a Sunday morning and preaching his best "sugar stick" message!

The requirements set forth in 1 Tim 3 is that they must be "apt to teach," not the ability to "blister the paint" on the walls! Save that for the "Evan-Jell-ist" as you can always send him packing once you are done with his shenanigans!

We always had a search committee (mostly deacons) and they gave recommendations, but ultimately the congregation chose between the few presented as candidates.

I have attended a church for years, taught at the church, been very active. The deacons knew me, but I really doubt the pastor would have recognized me. There it was deacons who visited with the sick, met with the grieving, etc. The pastor just preached and oversaw the direction of the church. He was a very good preacher. Probably not the best pastor.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

We always had a search committee (mostly deacons) and they gave recommendations, but ultimately the congregation chose between the few presented as candidates.

I have attended a church for years, taught at the church, been very active. The deacons knew me, but I really doubt the pastor would have recognized me. There it was deacons who visited with the sick, met with the grieving, etc. The pastor just preached and oversaw the direction of the church. He was a very good preacher. Probably not the best pastor.

In many Baptist Churches you have the Deacons functioning more like elders by default because they do not have actual elders. Worse yet, you often have Deacons functioning as elders who are, truth be known, biblically illiterate!

 

[JonC]

In many Baptist Churches you have the Deacons functioning more like elders by default because they do not have actual elders. Worse yet, you often have Deacons functioning as elders who are, truth be known, biblically illiterate!

I think most function that way. In our culture the role of deacon as described in the bible is of little use (monetary assistance is typically in the form of a check, food pantrys are operated by volunteers in the congregation). But I guess it is the principle rather than literal practice.

Each congregation has to form its own organization, I suppose.

 

[Deacon]

I’m worshiping in an old Baptist Church with an old constitution. They’re in the process of modernizing a new one.

The pastor recognizes that the deacons are serving the role of elders. From what I see, things are running smoothly.

Fortunately, as a newbie I have no part in the committee! Hee hee hee…

Rob