How To Fire Your Pastor
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
A woman distraught over her marriage visited the office of a wise marriage counsellor. When asked about the reason for her visit she began an all-together too familiar litany of complaint concerning her husband. “He never picks up his socks. He leaves the stool lid up. He is inconsiderate and lazy around the house. He is boorish in company.” The list continued for quite some time, only concluding with the almost spontaneously expressed desire to hurt him so deeply that for the remainder of his days he would be in pain.
“I know just what to do,” responded the counsellor. “When you go home, cook his favourite meal and have it ready when he comes through the door. Dress in an alluring dress and greet him with a smile and a kiss as he enters the door. Compliment him for every positive thing you can think of and build his self-esteem. Encourage him in every way you can imagine. Make his life easy. Keep it up until he becomes used to living that way. Then, when he is at ease with you and when he trusts you, tell him you’re leaving. Leave him flat. That will really hurt him deeply.”
The counsellor concluded with instructions for the woman to return in six months to tell him how things had gone.
The woman considered this to be excellent advice and hurriedly went home to begin preparing his favourite meal and preparing the house for his return that day. She kept this up for six months and then she returned to report to the counsellor.
“How did it go?” inquired the counsellor. “Did you fix his favourite meals? Did you praise him for every positive feature in his life? Did you really get him at ease?”
“I did,” responded the woman.
“Good, now you can really stick it to him. Now you can really hurt him when you tell him you are leaving,” chuckled the counsellor.
The woman lowered her head and murmured, “But, I’m not leaving him.”
“Why not?” exclaimed the counsellor.
“Well, as I treated him with respect he began to change, and I discovered that I really love him.”
What happened? That woman discovered that she and her husband were a team, designed by God to complement to one another. Something akin to that occurs among our Lord’s churches also. While I am convinced that the ideal is that the pastor should come from within the congregation, it is the common practise in this day to seek pastoral leadership from outside the congregation. Consequently, with the rise in the practise of searching outside the congregation has come the tendency for churches to view pastors as those hired to do the work of ministry. Not surprisingly this tendency results in many situations wherein a church adheres, often unconsciously, to one philosophy of ministry and the pastor to another philosophy of ministry. The differences result in friction so severe that the assembly will soon find it necessary to fire the pastor.
Among some denominational groups the situation has become so acute that the length of pastoral tenure now averages less than one year; in one particular denomination pastoral tenure averages about nine months. Across a broad spectrum of pastoral denominations, two years appears to be a maximum for pastoral tenure. It seems to me that a minimum of three years is required to simply become comfortable with one another. It requires time to develop trust in one another. Therefore, before you decide to fire your pastor let me review with you how to “fire your pastor” according to Scripture. The text is in the closing words of Paul’s first Thessalonian letter.
The Responsibility of Leadership is the first issue addressed. As I review this twelfth verse, I note a three-fold description and the sharing of a common article in that original language. This information leads me to the conclusion that the terms are to be applied to one and the same people. Thus, the leaders which are here in view are the elders … the pastors of the congregation. Paul is regarding their work from three different points of view. The work of pastors can be summed up in these three concepts: labouring in behalf of the congregation; assuming responsibility over the spiritual welfare of the congregation; and warning the people of God against error even while instructing them in righteousness. I suggest that we would avoid many problems arising from mismatched pastors and congregations if we first took greater care before we issued a call to an individual to assume the pastorate.
Pastors Are to Work Hard Among the Flock. The pastorate has no room for the lazy. I know the common view is that a pastor works for only one hour one day a week; I have heard this statement too often in my service before the Lord. My usual response is to invite the person making such a statement to follow me for one week and see if they will still maintain that position. Many nights I have found it impossible to sleep because of the weight of responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the congregation. Many days I have laboured and toiled throughout the daylight hours only to find it necessary to go out again at night in order to visit among the people laded down with genuine needs which required pastoral counsel. I chafe at the thought that I am still slowed by the effects of an injury suffered nearly a decade ago. I am slower than before and unable to do more. Recovery seems to me to take an eternity and I am restless.
You may recall Paul’s review of his life and ministry, a model for any preacher worthy of the title. Comparing his service to pastoral “wannabes” who had hoodwinked the church at Corinth he attested: I have worked much harder. Then he speaks of the dangers he faced because of his calling, concluding with these observations concerning his toilsome labour: I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn [2 Corinthians 11:23-29]?
With the Apostle I can attest that there is quite often weariness both of heart and of body when the day has concluded. Even when away from the work the demands of the pastorate still occupy the pastor’s mind and the messages which burn in his soul demand immediate attention and the needs of the people constantly clamour for attention. The pastor is consumed with the desire to honour God and to glorify Christ and to build the people. Frankly, if this were not a calling, would anyone enter the service of ministry? Yet I confess that I could finally do nothing other than serve as a shepherd of Christ’s flock, for this is a calling and this is where my heart has found rest.
I have sometimes spoken of a Methodist preacher named Roland McGregor whom I met in central Texas. He was quite open in admitting that his motive for entering the ministry was that he viewed the work of ministry as providing an easy life. He stated that the ministry conferred on him respect from the community, gave him a good income, and made few demands on his time. I was shocked at the time and I am shocked now. May I state that the ministry has no room for the lazy. The pastorate is no place for a life of ease … not if it is real. The pastorate demands men willing to invest themselves heartily in the life of the people. The pastorate demands workmen. We should encourage the best and the brightest among our children to aspire to the pastorate, remembering the words of the Apostle: Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task [1 Timothy 3:1].
Pastors are to be those who are over you in the Lord. There is a great reluctance in our world today to submit to another. We struggle with this concept both in the home and workplace. We are a rebellious people and we are reluctant to submit ourselves to anyone, especially a pastor. There are safeguards set in place to keep pastors from taking advantage of the people of God. I think of Peter’s warning to pastors in his first letter: To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers -- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away [1 Peter 5:1-4]. Pastors, shepherds, must give an account to God. This is an iteration of Hebrews 13:17: They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.
The Pastor must first of all be a leader! Pastors are called to account before God for the leadership provided to the people of God. Pastors are required to give an answer to God for their service to the people. The pastor is not infallible, and we must resist exalting him unduly; but we must remember that pastors are called to exercise leadership. Exhorting the Corinthians, Paul commanded them to Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ [1 Corinthians 11:1], and the same could be said by every godly pastor. Follow the example of your pastor so far as they follow Christ. This repeats the rule of Hebrews 13:7: Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Pastors are to be those who admonish you. Part of the leadership required of pastors is admonition. The word translated admonish is a fascinating word in the original language. Nouqetevw is often translated by our English words warn, advise, or remind. The word is used for the admonition and correction of those who are in error. In this sense it bespeaks a difficult ministry which is often not well appreciated at the time it is needed most. Consider some of the places where the word is used in the New Testament.
In Romans 15:14 we see that Christians are … competent to instruct one another. Likewise we learn from Colossians that Christians are to admonish one another with all wisdom [Colossians 3:16]. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and 2 Thessalonians 3:15 we discover that we are to warn those who are idle and warn [the rebellious] as a brother. Therefore, this business of admonishing or warning is a universal ministry entrusted to all Christians flowing out of our investment in the life into one another and out of our love for each other; but especially is admonition a responsibility which is imposed on pastors.
In Acts 20:31, Paul reminded the Ephesian elders when they met him in Miletus that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Perhaps we can discover what was included in his ministry in Ephesus for those three years by reference to Acts 19:17-19. Paul certainly presented Christ, warning his listeners to flee the wrath to come and of their responsibility to live godly lives. His message must have at times been pointed as he was forced to confront the people’s employment of magic arts, of enchantments and of satanic powers, for Ephesus was a centre of such activity. Likewise, Paul warned the Corinthians as … dear children [1 Corinthians 4:14], and he also admonished everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ in the Colossian letter [Colossians 1:28].
The Responsibility of Membership — What responsibility has the congregation toward pastors? The answer is provided for readers in verse thirteen. Each member is to respect their pastors and hold them in the highest regard. The thought is that members are to appreciate pastors, to know them in their true character and to esteem them for their labours and love. The words chosen appear deliberate: eijdevnai and hJgei'sqai aujtouV" uJperekperissou' ejn ajgavph. I insist that pastors are to so live as to merit respect; and if they labour diligently, provide direction and boldly warn the errant, they are worthy of our respect. Yet I would remind you that the reason pastors are to be held in highest regard is because of their work. The phrase insures that our attention is refocused on Christ the Lord who gave gifted men to the churches for the work of ministry, for it was He who assigned them their duties. The ascension gift of the Risen Christ to His Church were apostles … prophets … evangelists … and pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [Ephesians 4:11,12].
Earlier, as I spoke of the responsibility which pastors bear, I quoted a portion of Hebrews 13:17. Consider the remainder of that verse which speaks of congregational responsibility toward pastors: Obey your leaders and submit to their authority… Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pastoral responsibility requires an accounting to God; it follows that the responsibility of followers is to lift the burden of the work and the burden of leadership. One way this is done is through holding them in high regard.
Each member is to hold pastors in love because of their work. As Christians we love God just as we love His Son. It follows, according to the Word, that we are likewise to love the assembly of believers whom Christ redeemed. You do well to recall John’s incisive words on this matter: We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother [1 John 4:19-21]. You will agree, no doubt, that these are strong words which confront each of us. Christians are lovers, because God is love.
Permit me to apply one further bit of logic to the equation. Since we know that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her [Ephesians 5:25], should it be a surprise that we are to love those whom God has placed in positions of responsibility among His people. We want to love our pastors because they are an expression of Christ’s love. We tend toward loving them because we recognise that they perform their labours from a heart of love for the Master. We love them because they, following the Master, love us and tenderly care for our needs.
From time-to-time I renew my love affair with great preaching as I listened again to the cassette tapes in my library. I truly enjoyed these great messages as I drive to and from work, many of which are preached by former pastors of mine. I can truly say that I am the recipient of many expressions of the love of Christ from Dr. James L. Higgs, now retired from pastoral ministry. I can truly say that I was richly blessed by the evident love expressed toward me by Dr. W. A. Criswell, now Pastor Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. As I hear again their messages I renew my appreciation for these godly men who loved the flock enough to dare confront sin and error, always pointing to the love of God in Christ the Lord.
As interim Pastor of this congregation I do not demand your love, but I do pledge that I will to the best of my ability serve you and so labour that you will find it easier to hold me in love. My purpose is not to seek a life of ease, but to seek your good and Christ’s glory. The task God assigned me will be made all the easier as you fulfil that third responsibility which the Apostle imposed on the members of the Body of Christ, namely that Each member is to live in peace with each other.
It would be easy for us to imagine that this final sentence should not be considered with these instructions concerning relationships with pastors, that it is perhaps better applied to the following instructions. Live in peace with each other. By holding the pastor in love and respecting him for his labour, the congregation lays the foundation for peace. Something which is not so apparent in our English tongue is that this is a complement. Paul employs the present imperative indicating that they were then experiencing peace among them. The admonition is to continue doing what they were doing. Just so, we are blessed to be at peace with one another, but I must encourage you to make every effort to continue living at peace with the whole of the Body of Christ.
Practical Applications Of The Text — I am compelled to endeavour to be practical at this point in the message, making specific applications which will benefit each of us. Encourage the Pastor by holding him accountable for the work God has assigned. This means that we are responsible to distinguish between cultural and scriptural mandates. This means that we must differentiate between the work assigned by God to the minister and the work we assume a minister to be responsible for. In far too many churches there is a perception that the minister is responsible primarily to be an administrator, or perhaps a sort of spiritual C.E.O. Other concepts which are frequently voiced is that the minister is sort of an errand boy for the congregation, assigned to do whatever work a board or council may decide to assign to him.
The minister of God will work hard and the minister of God will demonstrate a servant’s heart, but the nature of the labour is first of all spiritual and for the spiritual benefit of the congregation. The first work of the minister is to occupy the sacred pulpit to speak a word from God to hungry hearts. The pastor’s divinely assigned responsibility is first: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction [2 Timothy 4:2]. Small wonder that the overseer must be able to teach and that he must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught [1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:9], since preaching, occupying the sacred desk, is of primary importance to the work of the ministry. In light of this, should we marvel that it was apostles … prophets … evangelists … and pastors and teachers who were Christ’s ascension gift to the churches to prepare God’s people for works of service [Ephesians 4:11,12]?
Work at developing a servant’s heart. The minister is to be a servant of God to care for the spiritual welfare of the people. In this same manner it should be the aspiration of each of us to strive toward development of the servant’s heart. I have frequently taken note of the qualifications for the pastoral office, for the position of an overseer or an elder, which are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, just as you should give careful consideration of those same qualifications. I am always excited when I realise that these characteristics are not the exclusive domain of the pastor, rather we see in these qualifications the description of a mature believer! In short, despite calling and appointment of God, each believer is responsible to be working at changing his or her life that they may conform to the image portrayed through these characteristics.
My gifts are consistent with God’s appointment to pastoral ministry. My gifts are not your gifts, but instead our gifts are complementary. As we labour together we reflect the fullness of Christ in His Body. Nevertheless, maturity and confidence should be the goal of each of us just as we have seen in previous studies. Seek a place of service and occupy that place of service to the glory of God. The church, whenever we meet for worship, should reflect the calm assurance which attends the investment of labour to make something wonderful happen because the people have worked at preparing for worship during the days preceding worship.
Lift the burden from your pastor, wherever you may be and whoever your pastor may be, by joyfully entering into the work of serving one another. Give heed when the pastor teaches the great truths of the Faith. Be like Bereans, searching the Word to discover if the things said are consistent with that Word. Don’t blindly follow his word, but weigh the teaching, searching the Scriptures for yourself to determine the accuracy of what is taught and to discover how the instruction may be implemented in your life.
Learn to ignore minor irritants common to each of us. This last issue flows naturally out of the last imperative which Paul issued. Whenever people live close to one another irritation results. We cannot have people moving in separate directions without grating against one another, and whenever you rub two components together heat is generated. Let me give you some excellent spiritual advice: don’t sweat the small stuff! Learn to ignore the small issues of life. Not every slight is worth shedding blood over. Not every petty irritation is worth taking offence over. Instead, work at building one another up in the Faith. Consider how you may encourage and build the very individual who is giving you indigestion at the moment.
I once worked rather closely with a man who was a greatly respected leader within his denomination. Today he is president of a major seminary within that same denomination. I discovered that this man had a peculiar habit whenever some other pastor or teacher had irritated him; he would buy them a nice tie and give it as a gift. That act of buying a gift and giving it to them was a means of outlet and release for him. Through the act he was able to surrender his irritation and get on with the greater business of building the kingdom of God. Frankly, I believe the act was wise. Consequently, I view receipt of ties with a measure of suspicion since that time.
Maybe you would not take such an action, but learn to step back from whatever it is that irritates you for the moment and find a way to focus your vision on the greater work God has assigned you. In the act of seeking peace within the Body of Christ you will encourage the pastor and build others and glorify God. The measure of maturity is seen in what you are able to ignore from among the people of God.
Let me conclude with these thoughts. I confess that I am weary in the work, though I am not weary of the work. You know there are multiple demands on my time and attention and concerns great and weighty clamour for my constant attention. I am making every effort to build you up in the Faith and to encourage you to always aspire to be a great people. I am convinced that we serve a great God and I am likewise convinced that our great God has given us a great task. We live in a beautiful setting which permits us to exercise a wider ministry than other small churches might enjoy. We serve God at a critical juncture in time. I long for this church to reflect zeal for His Name’s sake and to be known as a vibrant, living assembly of saints.
However, your pastor will need your help and encouragement as much as you need his ministry and encouragement. It is only together that we will fulfil the task which God has assigned us to evangelise our community and to witness to His grace and to glorify His Name. I seek for myself, not because I long for ease or comfort but for the sake of Christ’s Name, your help as you lift my hands through your prayers. Little areas of service which may be neglected are an invitation to you, not to tell me what is lacking, but to simply and quietly do whatever task is required. In the brief time which is left for me in this church I will continue to pour out my heart to you because you have become dear to me in Christ. All I ask of you is that you work hard at loving one another and at maintaining peace within the Body. This is a constant demand and one which will require our constant attention. However, when we have done this, we will see the power and the presence of the Risen Christ. Amen.