The Narrow Gate: Lead.

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I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a pastor lately. And sifting through pages and pages of books about vision-casting and leadership, evangelism and apologetics, exegesis and systematic theology, I just kind of hit a mental and spiritual wall. And in that place of exhaustion, I realized that if love (for God and people) truly is the motivation for being a pastor, then really the only thing that matters as a leader is being able to take someone's hand and lead them up to an encounter with the reality of Jesus Christ, the truth of the gospel, the scandal of the cross and then...

Let go.

To do any more is to either lack the simple trust that God is working in that moment and in that person, or worse, to become a salesman peddling religion.

I think it takes a real leader to let go. To know when your work ends and God's begins. To understand that sometimes, people will walk toward or away from God no matter what you preach, how many conferences you've gone to, how well you articulate your message, how great your kids ministry is, how developed your leadership skills are, how moving a video you played or how emotional your worship set was.

A great man knows how to be small...and no better place to become less than in the presence of God.

All a pastor can do is to bring someone as close to the real Jesus as humanly possible, and then step away and give them the chance to make their own decision. Introduce each member of your congregation individually to Jesus and then let those two talk and get to know each other for a while. I think a pastor should then give that moment away and allow a sacred and personal exchange to transpire.

I've never really been one for public altar calls. It's not that I have any hostility toward them, or the church leaders who do them...it's just that I don't see what it adds, or even that it's biblical for that matter. What an intimate moment that is when a child of God rushes into the arms of their creator. When the prodigal son comes home. When someone lets go of themselves and allows their heavenly father to embrace the innermost core of their being. I don't want to be a third wheel at that moment. I wouldn't want to impose.

To me, that's an unseen moment of intimacy that transcends the eye candy of a thousand hands raised or a rush of bodies to the stage. I don't need to know who or how many were saved. If someone is compelled to share that with me at a time and in a manner in which they feel comfortable - I'll listen all night long. Nothing gets me more energized than hearing those stories. Likewise, seeing a transfigured light radiating from a real and authentic encounter with Jesus is just as telling. No words are needed.

And if there is nothing visible, if there are no words spoken...a pastor just needs to have the faith that a great work is being done under the surface. A mystery is taking place and eternity is playing out with every sermon, every meeting, every email and cup of coffee. And if his every move is committed to taking someone one step closer to that meeting at the cross, then a pastor has done his job. No tangible ROI necessary.

Lead your flock...and then have the faith to let go.

Comments

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This was interesting to me, because I have always had this opinion, but relating to a secular career. Any good leader will let their followers go with hopes that one day they will become the leader. I think there are a lot of people who struggle with this, for a lot of worldly reasons, and pastors are no exception to that.

Question - are you thinking of pursuing a position in ministry?

Hope you and the family are doing great.

Blessings,

Angie
www.moresugarthanspice.com

Posted by: Angie Chillemi | May 20, 2008 at 12:17 PM