 |
| Are you ready for the Real Deal? |
| Since I have tossed my name into the hat of "churches looking for a pastor" I can see how important the pastoral ministry really is. Some of these pastoral search committees are looking for the second coming of the apostle Paul! Looking over all of the qualifications of pastoral search committees I thought to myself, dear Lord, Peter, James, and John wouldn't have even made it in some of these churches, they were ignorant and unlearned men. No degrees, no seminary training, no theology schools, just hand picked, and hand taught by the Lord. Of course someone would say, but they didn't have seminaries back then. Oh they didn't? Are you sure? The schools of religious learning back then, were greater then any of the schools we have today. I've noticed also that many of these search committees down play just how important the pastorial role is. Scripture says, "...for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. " (Mk.14:27) One BIG reason why churches need to get a pastor as soon as possible is because members will begin to scatter before long. Now I know that some churches try to continue with just having a "board of elders" as mentioned in the book of Acts. But need I remind you that elders were only appointed until God could raise up the ministry gift of Pastor or Bishop. Out of the five ministry gifts mention in the book of Ephesians, you don't see where He (God) gave some apostle, prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers and "Elders" for the work of the ministry and the edifying of the church. No! Elders were not mentioned as one of the ministry equipping and perfecting gifts. It is good to have elders in the church or a board of elders, but they are NOT a substitute for a pastor. Some would say, "but you can see them in the early church." True but you can see where God eventually gave that responsibility to the pastor: Meaning that He has specifically designed a ministry gift for that position. And since He has designed a specialist for that position, why would you want to fall back to the former. Please don't misunderstand me, it is GOOD to have a board of elders to help steady the pastor and ministry, but God never intended for them to run a church. Also too, having guest speakers come in and minister is not the same as having a pastor. There is a big difference in pastoring and being preached too. Any believer can preach, but not all can pastor. I talked to a board member concerning a church that hadn't had a pastor in fifteen months. They seem to be perfectly content with having a guest speaker come in and minister, but yet they were wondering why the people were putting pressure on them to find a pastor immediately. The head of the board told me that if they leave because of the length of time it was taking to get a pastor their heart wasn't right in the first place, but I beg to differ. Any Christian that is serious about pursuing God and His will for their life will definitely want to be under a pastor so as to get perfected for the ministry that God has called them too. If it was I, and the church didn't have a pastor anywhere from three to six months after the last pastor left, I would move my membership. I don't need just anyone coming in and preaching to me, I need a shepherd that is going to nurture me, and grow me up in the Lord as only a shepherd can. If I wanted to be preached to, I can turn my radio or television on, and get some of the greatest teaching and preaching there is; no Sir, I need to be pastored. I'm going to say hard thing, but it is true: Any church that has gone for more then six months without a pastor in all likelihood has cease to become a church, and has become a large social gathering. And any members that are still apart of that after six months is probably in disobedience and rebellion. How to Find the Right Pastor Prayer - I'm sure everyone knows this already. You must pray, and pray, and pray, and then pray some more. The person that you set over you to lead you is life changing. It's going to affect every aspect of your life. It will determine how successful you are in life. It will determine how strong you will be in life. Your leader is very important; probably the second most important thing in your life next to giving your life to Christ. Trust God, and stay open - Often times the person we think not, is the person that God is calling. Remember when Samuel went to Jesse' house to anoint the next king of Israel. Samuel was going by appearances, and accomplishments, but those things didn't impress God. It is good to want them, but be careful that you don't get you eyes on a person's personal achievements and miss the anointing of God. I've notice many committees placing more emphasis on achievements then anointing. The greatest leader will be a person who is anointed to do it, not one who went to school to do it. Again I say, it is good to want those things in your leader, but if you truly want the heart of God, you can't demand those things. What if God sends someone that is "ignorant and unlearned?" When I read an ad that says, "Only those with seminary training, or master degrees need apply" I think, "Is that what God told them there next pastor must have, or is that what they desire him to have?" Now I've come across some ads that say, seminary training, and master degrees preferred, but they were few and far between. Listen beloveth, if you lock God into finding a certain person meeting all of your qualifications, it may be quite a while before you get the pastor you are looking for. Why not just trust that God will give you the right pastor? I realize that some of the larger churches are looking more so for prestige then anointing because of dignitaries that may be in attendance to there church. They want to make sure that their pastor is professional in his ethics, mannerism, and presentation because they know that most dignitaries don't won't anyone leading them whom they think is not as successful as they are. But if you compromise the anointing for prestige you will have a dry church. It may be a professional church, but it will definitely be dry. The Anointing - Here is one drastic mistake search committees make in looking for their candidate: they receive or reject a candidate based on a resume. THE ANOINTING DOESN'T SHOW UP ON PAPER! There is no way you can possibly tell if a person is a right candidate just by reading a resume. There are many out there who can write a very good resume, that have no anointing whatsoever to pastor. The best way to find a pastor is to invite your candidates in for about a month and see how they interact with the people. If after a month you feel like they may be the one, put them on three months probation. During that time no obligations are been made, but you are getting a chance to experience that person's full anointing. You see the pastorial anointing is more then just preaching you a good sermon every Sunday. The anointing is also there to interact with the flock, to govern, and to instill vision. All of this can never show up on a piece of paper or even on a couple of taped messages. This is why many churches have actually been through several candidates and are even further away then when they started their search. Asking for resumes is fine, but don't be so impressed by how good a resume sounds. If you are impressed by the resume, get you a list of candidates, and give each of them about a month to come in and try out. Of course if you come across one that you think is a match, then give them the three months probation period before you go to any others. Pastor Or Hireling - Which do you want? If you lay down a lot of grown rules for your pastor to adhere to, and put restraints on his ability to make decisions, you have hired a pastor and not chosen one. Pastors are to be chosen, not hired. Yes I know you pay them a salary, but it should be simple compensation. No pastor should feel like his job is in jeopardy if he preaches something unpopular or goes against the grain so to speak. Why do churches "hire" pastors and put a whole bunch of restrictions on them? A hireling is someone who must do as the people say, not God. If you chose me as pastor and tell me what I can or cannot do concerning the vision God has place in my heart, then you have went from sheep to boss. Hey listen beloveth, if you want a hireling I'm quite sure you can find the best money can buy. And I guarantee you they will cater to your every need. But when the big bad wolf comes along, you will be left up the creek without a paddle. On the other hand if you will humble yourself down, and submit to a real shepherd, he will lay his life on the line when it comes to his sheep and the care of them. The Right Qualifications - Strangely enough (in looking over ads of churches seeking for pastors) I've come across very few ads asking for the qualifications listed in I Tim.3:1-7, " This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop [pastor], he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. " When seeking for a pastor these are God's qualifications. Adding anything else to them, could take you away from the will of God. Notice that God doesn't mention any special training, but practical living. Again I have nothing against seminary, theological, philosophical, and religious training. They are good if the pastor that God has for your church comes with that, but if he only has these qualifications mentioned here in Timothy you'd better not be too quick to look over him. These qualifications are the ones by which you should conduct your search. What about Race? - Another thing I've notice in the ads of churches seeking for pastors is most (if not all) of them don't mention of what race they are seeking. I think this is very important (tell you why in a minute). Now I know many may be saying, "Because race doesn't matter." You are right, it shouldn't: but the fact is, most white churches will look for a white pastor, black churches, a black pastor, Chinese and Asian churches, and Asian pastor. But if you really want the will of God for your church, you will have to be open to the possibility that God's choice may be a person of another race. Of course you know by now that I am a black pastor, but when I send in my resumes, I don't even consider what race of people the church may be, I'm just open to obey God. I'm not praying that God will send me to a black church. I'm praying that God will send me to "THE" church. I've ministered in multi-racial congregations and the word of God is always the same world over. The people are blessed and receive from the Lord. I make mention of this because to some churches, I had qualifications they were looking for, but I was the wrong color. As I made mention of in my Introduction God has already showed me a people, and they are predominately white. Guess what, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT! I don't want the church I minister in to be one-dimensional when it comes to ministering to people. I love all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to me there is no distinction. If you prefer a certain race I think you should make mention of it in your ad, because it can save a lot of people time and effort. I mean, why waste my time, if your prefer someone of another race. I'm not looking at color when I send my resumes out; I hope the pastoral search committees aren't in their seeking. Looking for the right match - A church looking for a pastor is comparable to a man looking for a wife, or wife looking for a husband; they know just anyone will not do. The church ministry and pastor is like a marriage relationship, for when a person takes on a pastorate, they have for all practical intents and purposes, married that ministry. And as I say so often, "good marriages just don't happen, you'll have to work at it." The reason why some churches are looking for a pastor now, is because the one they had divorced them, or vise versa. If you want a match made in heaven, it will have to be one that heaven has ordained. In looking for that special someone, you've got to know what you're expecting out of them. But more importantly you've got to trust God. I've seen many men and women say that they are believing God for a mate, but they have stipulations on it. He's got to be tall dark and handsome. She's got to be tender, slender, and tall. He's got to have money! She's got to have her own car, and so on. The reason why some have not found their mate yet, is because the person they are looking for haven't been born yet! If you say you are going to trust God, don't give Him any help! What if God wants you to have short, fat, and ugly? Surely He knows who will be best for you. My point is simply this: If you are really trusting God, don't put a lot of stipulations on your candidate. Use I Tim.3:1-7 as a pattern and go from there. They may not be what you want, but they will definitely be what you need. Click here or the next button for Part II |
 |
| This entire website is designed and created by Pastor David W. Foster, President and founder of Son of God Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 46514, Little Rock, AR 72214 (501) 280-9991.. All of the teachings on this site are copy written and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the express written conscent of Pastor Foster, and Son of God Ministries, Inc. [email protected] or [email protected] . This page was last updated 11-21-2002 |
|
| Getting tired of the search for the right pastor? Let me help you, with this NEW interactive site design to help you find that special man of God for your body of believers. Just click here |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|