Jared Wilson from Gospel-Driven Church makes some insightful, wise and amusing [see # 8] observations about who Pastor’s should fear:
(Not to be confused with 10 Church People You Shouldn’t Trust.)
All of these people need grace (EDIT: except for #10, of course, who gives it), but pastors should guard their hearts against some of their words and deeds (EDIT: except for #10, of course, whose words and deeds should be trusted, enjoyed, and proclaimed).
1. The guy who “subtly” reminds you how much he gives to the church.
He thinks he is buying influence, and because some of his money pays your salary, he thinks he is buying more access to you and more pull with you than others have. Relieve him of this illusion if necessary.
2. The young guy who likes it when you rant against stuff or preach angry.
Beware of pleasing young men too much. Young men are notoriously stupid. (I know, ’cause I am one.)
3. The guy or gal who doesn’t like it when you rant against stuff or preach angry.
Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. If you’re sincerely and reliably preaching the Word, toes are going to be stepped on from time to time. If you’re not being self-indulgent about it and you are speaking the truth, beware those who think you should be more “positive” like those fellows on TV.
4. The lady with the unbelieving or spiritually unsophisticated husband who emails you a lot.
Danger, Will Robinson.
5. The person who finds you right after the message to point out something you got wrong, quibble over a minor point, or mention some other criticism.
You are tapped out right after your sermon, and this person will just crush your heart with one soft blow.
6. The person who likes every single one of your sermons.
You ain’t that great, and you know it. Don’t get puffed up.
7. The guy on the theological hobbyhorse.
His spiritual energy revolves around the rapture, paedocommunion, Calvinism or Arminianism, evolution, what-have-you and he thinks yours should too. These are distractions especially tempting for nerd pastors like me.
8. The podcast sermon connoisseur who thinks, “You really oughtta listen to what John Piper says about that.” Etc.
This person is a close relative of #5 and sometimes #2.
9. The worship leader who has CD’s of himself.
Always use a less talented guy with a submissive heart over a more talented guy who sees his role as a stepping stone to somewhere else.
This is closely related to the pastor who has written books. 
10. God
5 responses so far ↓
10 People Every Pastor Should Fear - Irish Calvinist // May 26, 2009 at 6:11 am |
[...] (ht: Erik Kowalker) [...]
Barry // May 26, 2009 at 9:50 am |
You know Pastor, I’d like to give more than $5 to the church each week. Maybe if I could sit in on the budget meetings I might be inclined to give more. Maybe $6. I also think you should check out Mark Driscoll’s sermon on Podcast, he explains how much of a good thing it is to allow members to sit in on budget meetings. He really puts the fear of God in people with that one. It would be great if you did a sermon like that once in a while. But other than that I love every one of your sermons. By the way, I’m not a worship leader but I aspire to be one. Have you heard any of my CD’s?
But seriously. #10 is the botom line.
Thanks for sharing Erik.
Erik // May 26, 2009 at 10:41 pm |
Very well put Barry. For me, #6 is a reality check for a lot of Pastors:
6. The person who likes every single one of your sermons.
You ain’t that great, and you know it. Don’t get puffed up.
Classic.
Thad Noyes // June 6, 2009 at 6:52 am |
Hey Erik, glad to see you back here blogging. I lost track after GR went down. Great list! I think I may have once been some of those people, until I stepped into the pulpit for the first time. That changed my perspective a wee bit.
Erik // June 6, 2009 at 1:40 pm |
Thad: I’m still working on #7 and have never been insight #1 since I’m just so dang poor with a family of five.