There is a
destructive catch that occurs in most churches. On the one hand, the members of
a church need their pastor to give them quality, substantive, "meaty"
messages. The majority of the members would acknowledge that to be the case. On
the other hand these same church members also wish their pastor to be a
physical and material support for them.
- They want him to listen to
their problems
- They want him to encourage
their children
- They want him to attend their
functions
- They want him to be there for
them to lean upon
This is where the
catch arises. The same man is not capable of doing both duties. If he performs
the "pastoral care" function to the best of his abilities, he will
certainly lessen the quality of his pulpit work. This lesser pulpit work will
render the congregation that much more needy if his "pastoral care".
But if he focuses on the pulpit work the congregation is likely to respond by
either moving to a more pastoral church or else they will be critical of their
pastor and refuse him the impact in their lives he ought to have.
Some churches
have overcome this destructive catch by assigning a pulpit pastor and a
pastoral staff for the personal ministries. The Bible's answer is the office of
the deacon. While the preacher dedicates himself to prayer and the ministry of
the Word, the deacons serve for the support and, if I may, "pastoral
care" functions of the ministry.
But this is a
difficult stage for a church to attain. The congregation often sees this care
ministry as such a prime feature of the pastor that they expect his presence
and participation even with a fully functioning deacon ministry. Further, those
chosen as deacons are often not compelled toward or gifted in the ministry of
care as they ought to be. The result is a crippled church longing to be
effective but having created its own hobbles to prevent it.
Marvin McKenzie
In the field
