A bad pastor, how many can you find?
Probably more than we want. I suppose if I wrote them all down I won’t even be able to fit them all in our blog–let alone this blog post.
Even if we sort out false teachers among those who call themselves pastors, we will still be sadden to see how many weak or even bad pastors there are still out there. Bad pastors. Bad Pastors shepherding Christians. If you are a shepherd of souls that should make you weep.
Bad pastors among the sheep? Remember what Paul said to the Ephesians elders when he departed them in Acts 20:28-30:
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you [q]overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He [r]purchased [s]with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
For the sheep who attend a nominal Christian church that’s still within the bound of orthodoxy and have a bad pastor, no doubt there is a dilemma. Or in some instances a trilemma: Is their Pastor Lazy, a Liar or Loony?
I believe most pastors won’t fall right away with the big controversial things–things such as adultery, and stealing money from the church. In fact they might never fall into what I once heard was the three S of failed pastor’s sins: Sexual sins, salary and self-promotion. I think even those pastors who fall into those larger shameful sins began with certain “respectable sins” first and gradually progressed from bad to worst. I think the more common sins that most people fault in their church that is legitimate is that their Pastor is lazy, a liar and loony.
(I must be clear at this moment that I do believe there are godly pastors out there and just because I am focusing on those who are bad does not mean there are those who are not faithful to the Lord by the grace of God.)
If you are a young man desiring to enter the ministry you ought to read this and search your heart. If you are a pastor I think it’s good for a heart check.
Search your heart before the Lord. Remember that the last four words of a Pastor who is spiritually irrelevant is “But I’m a Reverend…” And a spiritually irrelevent Reverend will be the rear end of the world’s jokes, giving them materials to mock your Savior.
Are you Lazy?
Proof
I love the example of Paul’s ministry when he told the Ephesians’ elders the following in Acts 20:
26 Therefore, I [o]testify to you this day that I am [p]innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
Paul declared the whole purpose of God? He remembered his congregation night and day? Paul admonished with tears? And the one that blows my mind away: Paul can say he is innocent of the blood of all men?
Something tells me he was far from being a lazy Apostle, far from being a lazy Pastor.
I think the Apostle Peter had the same attitude: “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;” (1 Peter 5:2). It’s kind of hard to be described as lazy when you are eager to serve the Lord.
Questions
Are you the best steward of your time?
Do you do ministry more or less than the members of your congregation?
During the week do you work more or less than the members of your congregation?
Do you sleep in?
Do you use your time to pray for God’s people?
Do you use your time to meet with God’s people?
Do you use your time to study and prepare to preach God’s Word?
Do you spend more time playing tennis, downloading apps, etc than you do your spiritual responsibilities?
Do people think you need to put more time in ministry or do people think it is okay for you to cut back?
Do you go the extra-mile?
And more importantly, does your love for God translate into a love for people? If you genuinely love people, you would desire to minister to them. You won’t hold back.
Grace for the motivation: But it’s hard to be motivated to serve the Lord eagerly and all out. What is the heart’s cure for laziness in ministry? Peter goes on two verses later to say: “4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading [c]crown of glory.” That’s your motivation. It is Christ and for Christ’s pleasure. To please Jesus, the Chief of Savior who will give us a reward for faithfulness.
Are you Liar?
Proof
Paul in speaking to Titus said “7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with [d]purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound inspeech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8). Pastors ought to be above reproach in their speech.
Questions
Do you accurately represent those who disagree with you?
Do you omit certain details when you share something as to portray something in a light that you desire?
Do you allow the other side to share their views? It is easy to misrepresent the other side if one does not allow the other side to share.
Do you have a habit of lying about the small stuff?
Are you incline to exaggerate a little bit the fruits of your ministry?
Do you use “I feel…” to sneek in deliberately something knowingly that is not true?
Do you tell “When I was in Seminary…” stories that aren’t true?
Are you prone to tell stories about how good you are all the time? (Perhaps not being forthright with your less than noble side).
Grace for the motivation: God is a God of truth. As His people we ought to be a people who loves the truth! Jesus Himself is the Way the Truth and the Life!
Are you Loony?
Proof
Paul in speaking to Timothy said “But [c]have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;” (1 Timothy 4:7).
Paul said something similar to Titus: “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” (Titus 3:9)
Paul’s Pastoral Epistle definitely see a concern for the pastor not to get involved with foolish controversies and sensationalism.
Questions
Do you spend more time talking about what is right and true more than what is wrong and false?
Do you spend more time talking about conspiracy theories than the Bible?
Do you believe you know something extrabiblical that most people don’t know and you pride yourself in it?
Does Youtube videos about the Free Masons interests you more than Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology?
Do you think people are out to get you?
Do you have a martyrdom complex?
Do you see the following symptom is a problem? You can spend more than an hour talking about the Illuminati, 9/11 and Charles Mansion than you can about the book of Genesis.
Grace for the motivation: God’s Word is more delightful than any conspiracy theory. Abiding in Christ is a sweeter satisfaction than the lust and infatuation with darkness. Commune with Christ through the Word and prayer! Rest in God’s Sovereignty, knowing that man’s conspiracy attempts will not be victorious against His Divine plan.
Conclusion
Pastors and Seminarians: Are you lazy, a liar or loony? Hopefully you are not all three. May we not forget God’s gracious provisions in the Gospel that when we confess our sins, He is faithful and He is the one who cleanse us. That is the promise of 1 John 1:9! Repent from your sins and turn to Him for the source of power to be the man of God that pleases Him.
There are so many pastors out there. Trying to be so much more than a humble servant of the Lord. Exaggerates their ministry. Proud of knowing ALL truth, nobody may disagree in anything. Boost their importance. Call themselves apostles.
Turning the churches into an one-man-show.
The pastor starts the meeting, pastor witness about himself, pastor preach and pastor ends the meeting. Yes, I am sick of their “small” lies and their HUGE personality.
And this pastors complain about people stop visiting the church !!!
I am sick of it !!!
I feel you. I really do. We have so many hirelings rather than genuine shepherds. I pray we have more real shepherds form by God to pastor His people
Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
I appreciate you sharing the post!
My pleasure SJ! The content of this post is needed now more than ever!
Good work, but conspiracy theories tend to signal a personality that is immune to examination of conscience. One sociopath pastor I knew would weave conspiracy theories to explain why people were accusing him of sex with boys… sigh.
Wow what a crazy pastor. May the Lord show His justice with that pastor
He’s since died… it’s all in God’s hands now.
It is. God is a God of wrath to the unrepentant.
Witty and insightful reflections to consider! Thank you for the post!
Thank you for your comment and reading this!
Reblogged this on Truth2Freedom's Blog.
Thank you for sharing this too btw
Now many will say you have gone to meddling. Lol. Great and true post. Lord bless!!!
Hopefully I wasn’t too meddling inappropriately.
I was only teasing. Lol
very, very well explained SJ. I agree with you, normally before a Pastor falls into the “big three” sins they being to progress slowly from “more acceptable sins”.
Really like the “Lazy, Liar, Looney” descriptions… Sadly I know a few of each Ugh!!
We have all three enemies within us. May the Grace of God mortify our sins!
GREAT post! I live in a very small community. I live alone, don’t drive, use a walker and have access to only one (or so I thought) Bible believing, Bible preaching church in close by.
Sad to say after about 6 months…I learned of much ‘new-age, seeker-friendly, blaze’ (lazy) attitudes. So I am now an unchurched blood bought adopted child of the Lord God Almighty! I love to study the Word. A radio station in my area serves well often with great Truth. Also 3 of my 7 adult children are walking in the Lord…, but all live miles away so our physical together fellowship is minimal.
All that said, I have 4 bloggers (slim is 1 of ’em) I read as often as my body allows me to sit in this silly chair.
Thank you Jim. God bless you
Stephanie
Stephanie that sounds very tough! I will be praying for you and your situation. I’m praying for the Lord to help allow a biblical church to be planted near you. I’m seriously keeping this in prayer.
Thank you so very much.
I get weird DMs from random “pastors” in Africa and India from the fb theology groups where a friend likes to share your writings. This is great I’m going to share it