When pastors lose interest in people …

So much of what is taught to church leaders today about “leadership” is taken from the secular marketplace, not from the Bible. The more we adopt and adapt to business models in the church, the more we see something happening in the lives of some pastors … their losing interest in people.

More and more, as I have personal conversations with church leaders, I hear them talk about how they have no interest in evangelism, or counseling, or as one pastor recently confessed, no interest in shepherding. For many of these pastors, such activities aren’t “leadership,” they’re too mired in needy people. Leading an organization is a more exciting proposition (and for some, more stimulating) than wading into people’s lives and having to shepherd them; and being a “buddy” is much more fun than being a spiritual example.

But it’s shepherding and setting an example that is at the heart of being a leader in Christ’s church, at least it is according to the Apostle Peter …

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock,” 1 Peter 5:1-3 (NIV).

Too many of today’s church leaders are hungry for influence in people’s lives, but Peter helps us understand what that really means — setting the example while shepherding the flock. That can’t be done by focusing on building a brand or a platform or an audience; shepherding and setting an example of godly living requires wading into the thick of people’s lives to love and serve them.

Whether we’re really interested in the people we lead will determine the kind of influence we’ll have in their lives.

David Wheeler tells of a funeral procession that illustrates a leader’s influence …

David officiated at a funeral. In accordance with custom, after the funeral, the attenders filed out of the funeral home and into their waiting cars to form a processional to the cemetery. The hearse led the processional, followed immediately by David the preacher, then all the deceased’s family and friends. During the drive to the cemetery David needed to stop at a restroom. He could not wait much longer, and, even if he did try to wait, few cemeteries have public restrooms available. So, as the processional came upon an old, abandoned roadside picnic area that included an outhouse, David veered into the picnic area to use the outhouse. He assumed the remainder of the processional would follow the hearse to the cemetery, then he would catch up. He assumed incorrectly. When he emerged from the outhouse, he discovered the long line of cars patiently waiting!

People follow leaders. Churches must ask before placing people into leadership, where will this person lead others? Will he lead them to the Cross or to an outhouse?

Leading people to the cross requires the heart of a shepherd, not an organization’s CEO. Influencing people for Christ requires setting an example with your own life, not adding people as a follower.

Are you a pastor who loves people in Christ’s name? Or have you lost your interest in people?

Scotty