Thoughts on Young Preachers FOR CHURCH MEMBERS

It seems odd to me to be writing about this. I have pastored now for over 10 years and been in pastoral ministry for some 15 years. I am far from an expert and do not think that I have any expert advice to offer. As a matter of fact, I still look to elder pastors for guidance. I must also face the reality that there are many guys in ministry now who are younger and less experienced than me. In a recent meeting I attended, I was the second oldest and longest serving pastor present. That was sobering!

Anyone who serves in the ministry knows that there is a shortage of preachers. If you are not in a large church with multiple pastors, try finding someone to fill the pulpit if you need to be away one Sunday. It can be nigh impossible to find someone. We need more men surrendering their life to the preaching of the gospel!

When a young man feels that God is leading him to become a pastor, he will often go to seminary to learn how to pastor. Then, when he gets to a church, he finds out that there are many other expectations that get placed on him. These expectations are not in the Bible, and oftentimes require gifts and training that he does not have. Depending on the size of the church, the pastor is expected to chair multiple committees, some of which he knows nothing about what he oversee. Other churches expect him to manage the office and staff, though he may have never been in a personnel leadership position. Small churches may require him to be the grounds and maintenance person. The printing of church bulletins could be expected of him. Then, of course, there is the expectation that he will visit everyone that is sick or injured, even if no one bothered to let him know they were sick or injured. Pretty soon the pastor can find himself buried under a mountain of responsibilities, most of which he cannot find in the Bible, and the pressure can be crushing. So, he quits.

In Acts 6, the church at Jerusalem had a very good and important ministry. They were caring for the widows in the church. Since the church had a membership of over 3,000, they no doubt had a large number of widows. Some of the widows were not receiving the same level of care and this caused some division in the church. So, the position of deacon (literally waiters) was created. This is what the Bible tells us:

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:1-4

Church member, this is what you need to understand, the more extra-biblical requirements you place on your pastor, the less time he has for the Biblical requirements. Yes, this can become overbearing on him, but it is detrimental to you. The more time he spends in meetings, the less time he has for prayer. The more time he spends on administrative duties, the less time he has to study. The less prayer and study he does, the less you will be fed with the bread of life. To use a metaphor, instead of getting fresh brioche, you get stale light bread.

I'm not saying that a pastor should not visit or keep office hours. I am admonishing churches to be careful that they do not cut their own throats with unrealistic expectations of their pastor. A church should have expectations of diligence, but what that looks like should change with each pastor. Not every man will have the same gifts. I can assure you though, if there is a legitimate need for someone to oversee something in the church, and the pastor is not equipped to be the one overseeing it, God will place someone in the church to take care of it. Remember, a body is made up of many members, not just one all-functioning member.

My first admonition to you church member, whether he be young or old, keep your expectations for your pastor Biblical and reasonable. Otherwise, you will most certainly be disappointed in him.