FREE WORLDVIEW MAG FREE WORLDVIEW RALLIES
Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
PAGE: 1 2 NEXT>

Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 02/18/08 10:29:45 PM Age 56, MO
I believe that a good deal of the problem at hand is tied to the fact that churches HIRE the Pastor these days. What has happened to the BIBLICAL CALL of a Pastor? When did the church become an employer? Jesus had several things to say about the hired hand and wolves.
Click here to reply to this post



Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 11/07/07 01:30:26 AM Age 54, CANADA
I agree that if you are going to appoint and employ a pastor that the principles of Timothy apply but I have a more fundamental question. Where in scripture does it place Pastors as leaders in the sense the "Church" uses it today? Jesus said "call no man teacher", "don't lord it over people" and "..I came to serve". Pastors shepherd the flock - Ezekiel 34:4 gives us an insight in to what there function is. Caring, healing, bandaging, find the lost. Another way we could see ourselves is as brothers and sisters in God's family (equals) under Christ the head of the church all using our gifts and abilities. This would do away with us needing to employ the "super stars". We would all be fellow travelers helping one another along the way.
Click here to reply to this post

Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 11/04/07 02:46:42 PM Age 29, CA
I agree with this article. Now as a Christian seeing the same things happening in my church, what do we do..?
Click here to reply to this post



Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 09/28/07 03:31:10 PM Age 54, PA
Why? Because they are like those who do the hiring. Men feel more comfortable with those who are like them. Will Pastors with serious problems preach about Sin, Judgement, Condemnation? I doubt not. For these churches, the church is not what it really is but a SOCIAL CLUB.
Click here to reply to this post

Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 09/20/07 03:55:28 PM Age 45, PA
No, the reason american church people choose men from outside with bad character is because the american church is mostly unsaved or bogged down with traditions. You see, God promises to raise up believers with spiritual (not seminary graded) gifts, men to oversee the flock. However the american traditions says clergy first, stupid sheep later, where the Bible indicates fellowship first and later men will become apparent because of their gifts. The american church person would not have a clue on fellowshiping with out some elevated man to spoon feed the drool.
Click here to reply to this post

  1. Re: Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
    Posted On: 10/03/07 03:01:10 PMAge 54, PA
    Fellowship first? With whom? Among ourselves?Are you kidding yourself? Where is in the Bibble saying a church is built on fellowships/relationships? A true church is built on the Living Word of God (1 Corinthians 3:11) If fellowship/relationship is the priority of the church and not her allegiance to Christ and His Word, the absolute truth, the church not only accepts idolatry but also commits idolatry.(John 21:15, Luke 14:26. True church is the bride of Christ who loves Him with absolute obedience to His word.
    Click here to reply to this post

    1. Absolute obedience?
      Posted On: 06/15/09 11:17:53 PMAge 61, CA
      If the church is to include only those who are in "absolute obedience" to God, the church will be empty. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - including every Christian in every pulpit and every pew in every church. I'm not arguing for pastors who sin - the church has a responsibility to represent and model Christ - but the holier-than-thou attitude that only perfect Christians are worthy of salvation or inclusion in the church is just doctrinally wrong.
      Click here to reply to this post

    2. Re: Re: Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
      Posted On: 10/05/07 06:24:00 AMAge 45, PA
      Read the book of acts, they meet in homes ate, and fellowshiped one with another. You probably think staring at the back of someones head for 1 1/2 hours is fellowship. I get the feeling you probably have never had fellowship, because it's a spiritual thing and your "church" is a mechanized cultural of dead traditions. The clergy was born in Babylon, integrated in Rome, untouched in Geneva and continues with pride today. My children hear my voice and the follow me.
      Click here to reply to this post

      1. Re: Re: Re: Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
        Posted On: 10/12/07 09:07:19 AMAge 54, PA
        Very dangerous. Out of context.
        Click here to reply to this post

        1. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
          Posted On: 11/07/07 12:48:41 AMAge 54, CANADA
          Jesus the Word of God (John 1:1) did not give us a pattern for meeting or a set of principles or methods to use when we meet. He had met with people in crowds, in small groups and in one on ones. He taught truth by stories (parables) and observations (storms, shriveled trees, selling animals in temple)among other methods. He related to people which most of us would call relationships. Jesus said that the world would know us by our love for one another (John 13:35) - love is a relationship so I cannot understand why this is not fundamental. Also we are the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ which both imply relationship. Jesus said I do what I see my Father doing - this again implies they are in relationship. I hope this adds to our understanding.
          Click here to reply to this post



Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 09/19/07 08:22:26 AM Age 53, NY
A great article! Hopefully, we can have a part two on how this has changes how pastors are trained and raised up in local churches in contrast to what the Bible says on their calling into ministry and training. Jay the Janitor
Click here to reply to this post

  1. Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
    Posted On: 08/24/08 12:38:23 PMAge 51, CA
    Unfortunately, training future pastors does not include personal healing but a glossing over of personal sin in order to "put on" righteousness. This can (and frequently does) lead to public embarrassment—affairs, illegal dealings, substance abuse, physical abuse, etc. The emphasis on the Word and proper techniques is paramount, but to forgo an in depth application of its healing power in pastoral training is a travesty seen over and over again. This "hiring" practice of seeking charismatic pastors is not just seen in mega-churches, but is represented in a majority of churches throughout America. Until seminaries, denominations, and the collective Body of Christ see this as an important aspect of pastor training and ongoing application, we will continue to have pastors publicly fail. This is important for his family as well. Please do not think I am being critical or bitter. This was a constant issue in my own 25 years of public ministry—until I finally left my husband after his 12th affair. The failure was my fault in the eyes of our congregation, and they were more than willing to keep him as pastor. Failure is easily overlooked if there is someone else to blame. Apparently, integrity is not as vital as charisma. This was an issue not only in my life, but in most of the pastors and their families that I knew—across denominations. I have since applied the principles of the Word in my own life—forgiveness, kindness, discernment, thankfulness—and I am thriving. Blessings from the trenches!
    Click here to reply to this post

Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 09/19/07 06:31:11 AM Age 62, NY
The Greek word for elder or minister or servant is diakonos, a term also used in Romans 13:4. The standard for elders and ministers remains the same, in the all the contexts found in Scripture. In our region, a mega-church pastor was removed from a well-known denomination, only to found one of the largest churches in the region, a man who had left his wife who was dying from cancer, who then "stole" the wife of a church elder. Yet, sometimes, rules can be too strict, with no exceptions whatsoever. Taken too far, perhaps no one can have a ministry since "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Blessings, Doug Patriot-of-Liberty programs
Click here to reply to this post



Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 09/19/07 05:17:36 AM Age 53, VA
A main source for this problem is the desire to almost always look to the outside of the local assembly for a pastor. Rather our elders/pastors should come within. (2 Timothy 2:2) I've been in several assemblies where the choosing of a pastor from without has been disastrous. You can only be deemed above reproach when surrounded by those that know you the best. Hiring strangers from without negates this important test for eldership/pastorship.
Click here to reply to this post

Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 09/18/07 05:42:16 PM Age 42, NM
Great article, Bob. I doubt there are many church who knowingly choose pastors with flawed characters. But I'm sure there are some. Most probably don't recognize the character issues because they're not looking for the right qualities in the first place. What they're looking for is success. Pragmatism defines it well."Give us what works - we want to grow." God help us pastors to be true to your Word in our preaching and not disqualify ourselves by our conduct.
Click here to reply to this post



Re: Why Churches Hire Pastors with Serious Problems
Posted On: 09/18/07 02:35:49 PM Age 61, MO
The sentiments expressed in this article have often passed through my mind. I am glad to see someone express them so succinctly. George Cancilla
Click here to reply to this post

Read More Feedback

Post Feedback
We would like to post your feedback, but please keep your feedback short and clean. All feedback will be reviewed before it is posted. We encourage healthy debating but will not accept feedback with personal attacks. Commenting on a person's public statements, actions and writings is not considered a personal attack. Please limit your feedback to less than 750 words. Comments written in ALL CAPS will not be posted.

All fields are required. Your age and state will be posted on the site, but your personal information will NOT. If you would like your name to be posted with your feedback, you must include it in your feedback text.

First Name:
Last Name:
Email Address:
City:
State: OR Country:
Age:
Feedback Title:
Your Feedback
(no HTML):
Save my information for next time.



Notice: By entering your email address, you agree to join the
Worldview Weekend email alert system.



Worldview Weekend
Family Reunion
Branson, Missouri
April 23, 24, 25, 2010
Worldview Weekend
Training Institute
Memphis/Collierville, TN
April 9th & 10th, 2010