It isn’t even right for me to say that pastors need to be weak. That implies that there’s some kind of underlying agenda to the weakness.
It would also be wrong for me to say that pastors should let their weakness show. Again, the problem with this is that there’s an agenda behind it.
It is even worse to require pastors to show their weakness so that it will help others. Agenda again.
The fact is pastors are weak. And any honest human being who lives with authenticity, truth, and with integrity, looks weak. I believe that God became a man, that he became weak. Or, rather, that his weakness was embodies. And that this wasn’t some kind of ploy, some kind of tactic in order to accomplish something. It isn’t like he “took on” weakness, cloaked himself with it, covering over his strength and power with the appearance as though he were Clark Kent covering Superman, doing the mundane until his superpower was needed. The weakness of the cross IS the weakness of Jesus and the weakness of God. Truly weak. Not fake pretend. As Paul insists over and over again, it is the cross which is the power. It is the weakness which is the strength.
So pastors, if you are weak, and you are, be honest! Don’t just share a time when you resisted a temptation. Tell about the time you didn’t. Don’t talk about how you struggled with God but got through it. Tell about how you’re not sure what you believe anymore. Cry. Laugh inappropriately. I’m just encouraging you to be yourself and to be yourself openly. Come out of the closet. You are going to offend people guaranteed. But you’ll feel better. And some people will want you to be their pastor. Maybe. Of course, I know plenty of people who can’t admit they’re weak, even to themselves. That’s a whole other problem.
This is one of my paintings. You can buy my paintings HERE and HERE.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
Yesterday I met with someone who asked about my message that morning. I insist that you can’t embrace the reality of the cross and pursue the security of success at the same time. I also said that we could increase the attendance at our church as well as the giving, but I can’t prioritize that with a clear conscience if I hold Jesus Christ and him crucified at the center of all I believe and do. This person asked, “What would you do, if you felt free to do it, that would increase the attendance and giving?” I’ve thought about it, and I came up with a rather cynical (yes, I know… unusual for me) list of 10 things you could do to achieve better attendance and giving:
- Don’t allow people to participate in the worship band or any other prominent, visible ministry who don’t have excellent attendance and who don’t tithe.
- Befriend the good, consistent supporters and avoid those who aren’t these things. Everyone wants to be in the inner circle.
- Reward those who give with frequent public recognition and praise.
- Teach that giving to the church is what gets God acting on our behalf.
- Always concoct the impression that something great is just about to happen so that the level of anticipation keeps people coming, expecting the special event to happen at anytime. Keep the excitement level high and eliminate the darker realities of human emotions from the service.
- Sow the idea that going to church whenever it is open is the same as being the church.
- Never be afraid to use fear or guilt as a motivator for beneficial results. You must realize that these are the greatest causes for seeing almost immediately the effects you want.
- Blame sin for the reason why people don’t advance in the church. This creates the idea that perfection is what produces promotion.
- Use incentives such as fund-raisers, pledge campaigns, bake-sales, auctions… anything that will fondle money out of people who normally wouldn’t let go of it so easily.
- Brand and market yourself and your church as wealthy, successful and positive, then play the part yourself. This will create the ethos of prosperity and success that attracts money.
Maybe you have some suggestions of your own?
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Mark Hemmings and is from his mannequin series.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
I make people angry. I can’t help myself. It’s a gift. I think I know what it is. I’m convinced that we cannot change by increments. I mean the change that matters. Personally and corporately. If anyone is in Christ, behold, there is a new creation! Resurrection doesn’t happen gradually. We need radical transformation. I’ve kept a journal for over 20 years. I read entries from years ago, and guess what… I’m the same me. And it’s not for a lack of trying! My journals are full of effort, willpower and passion. But I had it all wrong. These human qualities are useless to save us. We’re not asked to tweak, adjust, reorganize, renovate or reform, which we excel in. We’re to be transformed. We’re to be raised by resurrection power. When Jesus raised Lazarus, he didn’t warn everyone to give the guy some time to perpetually compose himself and freshen up. He said, “Unwrap him and set him free!” Bingo! I think that’s what we need.
What this means for the church is too scary for us to consider, and this is what makes people angry. I believe we need to be totally re-created. Which means I believe demolition is necessary first. If we need resurrection, then first we must die. But no, we all want to hold on to what we have, or at least the good parts, and carry them with us beyond our fake funeral to our lovely new life. No deal! And the church insists on continuing this burnt-out strategy of reformation. Our number one fixation is with survival because our number one obsession is death. The church included! We get angry because we are required to die before we live. We’ll have none of it.
Yup. This is what my blog is about, and this is what my ministry is about. And I get people angry online and off. But, like I said, it’s my gift. If only people would realize something crucial about what I say: I’m about life… new life, resurrection life, abundant life. But all most people hear is, “You gotta die first!” and it ticks them off.
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Mark Hemmings. She looks a little angry, but she’s pretty at it.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
David Hayward is a pastor artistically stripping to the essential.
