Managerial and professional pastors

Classic Bill Easum:

Managerial and professional types take their cues from the last fifty years of modernity and function more like CEO's or COO's than transformational leaders. They take great care in running the church, managing the organization, often to the point of micromanaging the church. Procedure and proper theology occupy most of their attention. Pastors place great emphasis on their education and official role as the ordained leader of the church. Laity enjoy playing the church game - sitting on committees and applying Robert's Rules of Order... At their best, managerial and professionals are spiritual infants; at their worst, they are controlling Pharisees or little more than career-oriented ladder climbers...I have not seen any leadership capacity in the church served well by this style. It is one of the most destructive forms of leadership in the church today... If you fall into this category, do yourself and the kingdom a favor and either grow up spiritually, find another profession, or get out of the church.

Update: Stephen Shields reacts to Easum: "...we can, in fact, have both spiritual life in community that expresses itself missionally and organizational excellence . But - at the same time - we must never confuse organizational excellence with real spiritual life or see one as leading to the other." Stephen is right, of course. I think Easum is taking on those pastors who are playing the church game. The real question is how to manage the church without that becoming the point. It can be done.

Comments

[ed]

The problem with us pastors is that when we fit this or any other description, really, we aren't likely to recognize it in us. Ie. I'm pretty sure I'm wrong in much of my views...but when you ask me which ones I couldn't tell you...point is...unless these guys have relationships with people who know them and their ministries and can speak into their lives...this kind of statement will never speak to the people it should. Regardless of how true it is. You really like Eugene eh? :)

[Jacob]

I wouldn't say attention to proper theology is a bad thing.

[Darryl]

This is Easum...but I'd love to see him chat with Eugene! ;)

[Darryl]

Jacob, good theology always leads to good praxis, or it's not true theology at all. I think that's what he's addressing.

[Arthur]

Can someone define "proper theology" for me? Seems to me Jesus, himself, often went directly against the grain of the prevailing wisdom of the theologians of His day. The problem here is, as I see it, that anyone entering the ministry as a job, rather than a calling (thus "professional" pastors) really do not do The Kingdom or the rest of us any good.

[Brian Benallick]

So, Darryl...... I recently earned my MBA, and see ways through which the day-to-day activities of my Church can possibly be more efficiently run. I seek to use my training to serve God. I have no desire to preach the Word, since I do not consider myself a teacher. Do I sit in the category you have defined?

[Darryl]

Brian: I sure don't think so. The problem isn't with those who have administrative gifts, as much as it is with pastors who play the church game. I think Easum might be a little harsh here, but I see the point he's making.

[Arthur]

Brian: No problem with you seeking to use your talents and training to serve God. The problem arises when good Administrators think they automatically make good Pastors. The two are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but one should always stick with one's calling, not try to be something one is definitely not called to be.