We need more Pastors not Leaders - by Charlie Collier
It’s a whole lot easier to talk, write and dream about a vision, develop a strategy of ministry,
and create ways of impacting a neighborhood, than being in relationships with people.
I have learned life is very hard for a lot of people. I totally understand why someone shoots up
dope or thinks about jumping off the highway overpass. There are no quick fixes, no easy answers and no one is really recovered until they meet Jesus face to face. In my circles, this in not discussed. The method of ministry and the reality of life does not match up.
I believe many will try the Church and many are in the Church and they could care less about
what is on the website - No one gives a darn about vision, values, worship style, building
decorations. In moments of pain, crisis, nervous breakdowns, relapses and failures, (which
everyone experiences at some point in their life, many acutely) what is the role of the Pastor.
A couple things I have learned along the way:
- Pastors, be so in touch with your own personal pain that you can handle someone elses. This will lead to compassion instead of judgement.
- Pastors, be open to confess your sin and constantly share your dependence upon the grace of God, and not in vague terms. This creates a culture of honesty.
- Pastors, preach Christ died for sinners, every week in all kinds of ways. No one really believes it, and it’s so easy to forget. This keeps Christ and the cross central.
- Pastors, share that God is the active agent and we are the passive one. It so easy to manipulate people by behavior modification mumbo jumbo. Christians have the Holy Spirit living in them. This brings hope and humility.
The only people who get better are people who know that, if they never get better, God will love them anyway. – Steve Brown