I’m noticing a trend in pastoral ministry that may not be new but it may not be valid. When reading Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor some years ago, I was struck with an aspect of his care for his fold. There would be constant visitation, constant prayer, and constant studying of his word to care for the sheep. I am noticing a trend. The pastoral office is moving away from time in a chair and time with people to a rally-leading, church organizing, administrator who preaches.
Now I know full and well there is an amount of administration that needs to be finished by the weeks end. There is an expectation of the Pastor to constantly organize new events, new programs, and new innovations in order to reach unbelievers. This trend, if I’m seeing it correctly, is not a healthy vision of the ministry. The reason does not reside in the Pastor doing administration, organizing events, etc., but in the Pew’s expectations of the pastor. It’s the pastor’s job to reach the unbeliever. It’s the pastor’s job to organize next months Easter program. It’s the pastor’s job to “you name it.”
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