I've heard many pastors say something like, "God called me to be a pastor." If they take this to mean that God wants them to be a professional pastor, they are wrong. This is not part of God's plan for His church. Those accepting salaries from churches for pastoral services are, quite simply, incorrect about God's call on their lives (click here to read more about the definition of "professional pastor").
When we look in the bible, we see nothing about pastors receiving salaries. The term "pastor" is rarely used ("elder" is much more common). None of the pastors or elders were part of a separate class (the clergy), and none received salaries that exempted them from regular work. Elders were spiritually mature members of the church in a city who came from that city and worked jobs in that city.
Some professional pastors might respond to the title of this post by saying that they are certain God has called them to be a pastor. My question to them is, "How do you know that?" I've never heard a satisfactory answer to that question.
We know from scripture that God has gifted His children in various ways to serve His church. Some men have many pastoral gifts. God undoubtedly desires that they use these gifts to help others grow in Christian maturity. God's plan is that older, godly men will shepherd others in the body in the process of edification (of course, God actually uses everyone in the church for this process to one degree or another).
Many men who today are professional pastors have missed the mark on what God desires that they do. While God likely wants them to be a part of His shepherding model that we see in the bible, professional pastors have instead latched onto a man-created tradition. That tradition is the common model of today: the salaried expert from outside the body who is brought in to "do ministry."
So, are all tens of thousands of professional pastors wrong about what God wants them to be doing? The answer: Yes.
This may at first seem incredibly arrogant on my part. After all, how could they all be wrong? If I was simply using my own wisdom is coming to this conclusion, then it would be arrogant. However, that is not the case. Rather, I'm looking at what God has shown us about the life of His church in the bible. God's plan nowhere includes professional pastors.
Are the professional pastors, then, wrong about everything? Of course not. They probably engage in various types of shepherding activities that please God.
However, are they wrong about God calling them to be professionals? Yes. There is no room for it in biblical church life.
In light of this, what should professional pastors do? They should make plans to gradually refuse their salaries and look for regular jobs. This is a process that may take a few years and involve additional vocational training. Their churches could even help with this process. Since they will be working regular jobs, the work of the ministry will have to be spread out among the church body. This will help everyone grow in maturity. Also, the money formerly used for pastoral salaries can be put straight into missions and care for the poor. In the end everyone wins.
The first step is for both professional pastors and churches to realize that no one has been called by God to be professional pastors. This is not an easy thing to recognize, accept, or admit. However, once it happens, the church will only benefit.
When we look in the bible, we see nothing about pastors receiving salaries. The term "pastor" is rarely used ("elder" is much more common). None of the pastors or elders were part of a separate class (the clergy), and none received salaries that exempted them from regular work. Elders were spiritually mature members of the church in a city who came from that city and worked jobs in that city.
Some professional pastors might respond to the title of this post by saying that they are certain God has called them to be a pastor. My question to them is, "How do you know that?" I've never heard a satisfactory answer to that question.
We know from scripture that God has gifted His children in various ways to serve His church. Some men have many pastoral gifts. God undoubtedly desires that they use these gifts to help others grow in Christian maturity. God's plan is that older, godly men will shepherd others in the body in the process of edification (of course, God actually uses everyone in the church for this process to one degree or another).
Many men who today are professional pastors have missed the mark on what God desires that they do. While God likely wants them to be a part of His shepherding model that we see in the bible, professional pastors have instead latched onto a man-created tradition. That tradition is the common model of today: the salaried expert from outside the body who is brought in to "do ministry."
So, are all tens of thousands of professional pastors wrong about what God wants them to be doing? The answer: Yes.
This may at first seem incredibly arrogant on my part. After all, how could they all be wrong? If I was simply using my own wisdom is coming to this conclusion, then it would be arrogant. However, that is not the case. Rather, I'm looking at what God has shown us about the life of His church in the bible. God's plan nowhere includes professional pastors.
Are the professional pastors, then, wrong about everything? Of course not. They probably engage in various types of shepherding activities that please God.
However, are they wrong about God calling them to be professionals? Yes. There is no room for it in biblical church life.
In light of this, what should professional pastors do? They should make plans to gradually refuse their salaries and look for regular jobs. This is a process that may take a few years and involve additional vocational training. Their churches could even help with this process. Since they will be working regular jobs, the work of the ministry will have to be spread out among the church body. This will help everyone grow in maturity. Also, the money formerly used for pastoral salaries can be put straight into missions and care for the poor. In the end everyone wins.
The first step is for both professional pastors and churches to realize that no one has been called by God to be professional pastors. This is not an easy thing to recognize, accept, or admit. However, once it happens, the church will only benefit.
14 comments:
Eric,
It seems to me your argument on church elders never receiving a salary is based on an extreme application of the regulative principle of worship. I don't see where Scripture forbids congregations from paying a salary to their elders, and while 1 Tim. 5:17–18 admittedly may be interpreted as referring to something other than financial remuneration, it has certainly been understood by the majority of Christians throughout church history to refer to just that. I think the difference between love offerings and salary is artificial. It is just a question of good planning and stewardship of the resources God entrusts us with, which is a principle God clearly teaches in His Word.
I do agree with you, however, that the system that has been set up in many congregations may have a tendency to make congregational life overly dependent on salaried leaders, and there are a whole lot of potentially negative consequences that go along with the territory. But to say that "no one has been called to be a pastor who receives a salary" is a big jump, in my humble opinion. If your argument rises or falls on the fact that Scripture does not specifically advocate it, there are a whole lot of other things we could bring up, such as the use of musical instruments in congregational worship, microphones, or even chairs, etc. etc., if we wanted to be consistent.
I think it is better to let every servant answer to his own master on this one.
David,
Thank you for your comments. I hope you and your family are doing well.
I stand by my assertion in this post because I'm following the model we see in scripture. Therefore, I don't find anything extreme about it. When I look in the bible I see elders mentioned as part of the body living as part of the body. The idea of salaried clergy brought in from the outside is foreign to the NT.
As for the I Timothy 5 passage, I believe it refers at least to respect. Financial gifts could also be a part of it. However, I see a huge stretch in going from occasional gifts to salaries. The first is a blessing here and there, while the second actually pays a man for doing service. There is a huge difference there.
I prefer to follow the biblical model and fault on that side. If we are free to do whatever we want as long as scripture doesn't forbid it, we'll end up with all sorts of traditions that have nothing to do with what God has revealed to us in his word.
Additionally, for those who say that God has called them to be a salaried pastor, what is the basis of this claim? They cannot point to the bible, so is it simply a feeling? I've never heard a solid response to this.
John Piper has released a book "Brothers we are not professionals". Does this mean he's giving up his salary and will now "fully train" his students to "be like him"? Luke 6:40 Or is he keeping all that and merely seeking to bring down the elitist and pedestalizing behaviors and attitutes rampant in the pastoral system of pulpit / pew oriented church?
Tim,
I've read Piper's book. The interesting thing is that it is, in general, a very good read. However, I'm fairly certain that he will not be calling on pastors to stop receiving salaries. Therefore, his definition of "professional pastor" must mean something much different from pastors who receive salaries. Frankly, I think Piper should have chosen a different title for the book.
Eric,
If you read the following post, you will see that I am in basic agreement with a good part of the premises behind what you write here:
http://sbcimpact.org/2008/11/24/home-grown-church-leadership/
My main misgiving has to do with such a strict use of the regulative principle. I think if we are consistent with this, it inevitably leads to some of the absurdities I mention I my initial comment. For example, there is really not any biblical model for a regular salary for missionaries, that I can tell, in the NT, either. Nor for health insurance, mission boards, and whole slew of other things. Yet, each of these things, as I see them, are logical consequences of putting into practice the general biblical principle of good stewardship of the resources God entrusts us with.
I affirm you in the decisions you have made with regard to pastoral ministry and salary. I think it would likely be a good thing if more people would follow your example. However, I think your statement that "no one has been called to be a professional pastor" (if what is meant by that is that no one ever has a biblically justifiable reason for receiving a salary for pastoral ministry) is over the top and potentially divisive in the Body of Christ. I ask you to really think through this further.
Eric
Much agreement when you say...
"No One Has Been Called to be a Professional Pastor"
In 1 Cor 14:26 - ALL believers can, and are expected to participate.
ALL can Teach - ALL can hear from Jesus and get Revelation.
1 Cor 14:26
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together,
every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue,
hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
But - In my experience...
Paid - Professional - Pastors - in Pulpits - Preaching - to People - in Pews...
Prevent - Public - Participation - and - Promote - Passive - Pew - Potatoes....
Procuring - Power - Profit - Prestige - for the Prevailing - Parsing - Pastor...
And - In my experience...
Power - Profit - Prestige - Corrupts even the best intentioned hearts.
“Titles” become “Idols” ...................... (Idols of the heart. Ezek 14:1-11)
“Pastors” become “Masters” ............. (A No, No. Mat 23:10 KJV.)
If someone says their “Title” is NOT and “Idol”
Just ask them to lay it down, walk away from the
Power - Profit - Prestige - Honor - Glory - Reputation - Recognition
that comes with that “Title.”
A “Title/Postion” - pastor/leader/reverend - NOT found in the Bible. ;-)
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall **hear MY voice;**
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
Excellent post.
However There are two sides to this coin.
If you read about king Saul, he didn't want the job, he hid among the baggage.
The real sin was amongst the elders of Israel who came to Samuel and demanded a king to rule over them. They had had enough of an invisible God, with only an occasional judge making a useful mark on the nation.
They wanted to be like all the other nations, with an earthly king to go and fight for them etc.
God made it clear "They have rejected me, that I should no longer reign over them."
The same is true with the body of Christ. They just as loudly demand a king to reign over them. An invisible God is just not enough! "What do we do on Sunday if we don't have someone to tell us?"
I totally agree with you, but the sheep will rebel!
David,
Let me clarify my position as far as interpretation goes. Where God has spoken about a subject, I believe we should follow his model. He has done so concerning elders. Where God has not spoken about a subject, I believe we have some measure of freedom. God has not addressed the issues you have mentioned such as "musical instruments in congregational worship, microphones, or even chairs" or "health insurance, mission boards."
Regarding "putting into practice the general biblical principle of good stewardship of the resources God entrusts us with," I cannot think of a much worse use of resources than paying someone a salary to do ministry. Pastoral salaries consume a huge church of money within each body. Just think how much money could be given to the poor and used to support missionaries if pastors didn't receive salaries.
Speaking of supporting missionaries, I do believe the NT addresses this directly. I Corinthians 9:14 tells us, "In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." Although Paul gave up this right, he still tells us it exists. The context is traveling evangelists/missionaries.
As for being potentially divisive, that is what happens whenever man's traditions and/or the status quo are challenged. It is not my intent to cause discord but rather to challenge Christians to look to scripture to inform all aspects of church life.
I recognize that like all of us I could be wrong. However, in this particular case I stand by what I've said. If scripture proves otherwise I'll change what I've written.
A. Amos,
I agree that the I Corinthians 14 passage is critical. It describes the beautiful functioning of the priesthood of all believers. Sadly, once some within the body begin to be paid for ministry the dynamic changes.
Frank,
You make a great point. Most bodies of believers do want professional pastors. I think this has more to do with tradition than anything else. They simply have never thought about any other option.
There are some Christians who are pleased to let someone paid do the ministry. However, I believe this is a relatively small percentage. In the end, the salaried expert-pastor position stems from tradition and little else.
Eric,
You say: "Let me clarify my position as far as interpretation goes. Where God has spoken about a subject, I believe we should follow his model. He has done so concerning elders. Where God has not spoken about a subject, I believe we have some measure of freedom. God has not addressed the issues you have mentioned such as "musical instruments in congregational worship, microphones, or even chairs" or "health insurance, mission boards.""
I think your argument here hinges on artificially classifying which subjects God has spoken on and which He has not. For example, I could counter that since God has spoken about church meetings, that means He has also spoken about elements of church meetings, such as musical instruments, microphones, chairs, etc. Or, just because God has spoken on certain elements of what is involved in being an elder, that doesn't mean He has spoken on all related elements. I believe that, while He has spoken on certain elements related to elders and eldership, He has not spoken specifically on whether elders should receive a salary.
If we want to have a separate discussion on whether or not having salaried pastors is truly a wise stewardship of resources, I agree that is a very valid and potentially productive discussion. I believe it is perhaps a bit more complex than you are making it, though.
David,
I'm not sure what else to say. We've stated our beliefs/opinions and we disagree. I value your input, but on this issue we clearly don't see eye-to-eye. God bless.
Eric
"I'm not sure what else to say"
There is so much more to say on God not calling anyone to do to His church what a hired pastor does. It nullifies almost 90% of what God has designed for His church. The fact that the salary part part is so Biblically twisted by the experts is only a tiny part. I know more is coming from you.
David
Stay tuned. More is coming.
Tim,
When I said that I don't really have more to say it's because I've already said what I believe: professional pastors are foreign to scripture. You and I agree on this.
There are many other related issues such as the harm the existence of the clergy does to the priesthood of believers, the passivity of the people in the pews, etc. However, in this post I wanted to stay relatively specific.
If we follow the model for church life that God has given us, it is actually quite simple. Elders are godly men who shepherd the flock through servanthood. Any professionalization of the "pastorate" stems from man's traditions and not from God.
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