Spurgeon on Over-professionalism and Over-delegation

This is from a book I'm reading called Spurgeon on Leadership. Thought these paragraphs were helpful... as a church gets larger, pastors often face the dilemma of trying to guard their time from constant demands on that time while remaining involved in people's lives. Shepherds can't be real shepherds from a distance. Shepherds know sheep. Pastors must also lead by example, which means we must be in the community, practicing the real Christianity that we are trying to teach to others. We must really know people--our neighbors, the baristas at the local Starbucks, etc.

At any rate, here's the paragraph from Spurgeon on Leadership:

   An effective leader knows his gifts and abilities and uses them.  Of necessity, you incarnate what you want to teach others.  If you are a pastor and expect laypersons to become adept in ministry of pastoral care, you, as a leader, must set the example.  If you want your members to follow your leadership in ministry, they need to know that you are involved in personal evangelism, that you regularly make ministry visits, and that you’re not above visiting the hospital.  Some clergy today exhibit a stifling attitude of professionalism, relegating all ministry to other staff or laypeople.

    Indeed, some Christian pastors have abdicated their personal ministry responsibilities altogether.  One never attains the luxury of ministerial absenteeism in Christian leadership.  It might be easy to “hang out” in the office, sipping that leisurely cup of coffee and enjoying the comforts that surround you.  But, as John le Carre wrote, “A desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world.”  One must be “out there,” demonstrating effectiveness in shepherding and nurturing the flock.  The pastor has been anointed by God to lead the sheep, but such anointing is not automatic.  Trust and “followership” must be earned.  Spurgeon instructed his students, “Brethren, let us heartily love all whom Jesus loves.  Cherish the tried and suffering.  Visit the fatherless and the widow.  Care for the faint and the feeble.  Bear with the melancholy and despondent.  Be mindful of all parts of the household, and thus shall you be a good steward.” (pg. 29)

Comments

[Heath Lloyd]

Sometimes I ask, "where would Jesus be?"

- with the Father
- with people -including the ones mentioned here by CHS

I don't think Jesus spent much time in committee meetings.

Thanks for the post.

[John Wallace]

Thank you, pastor. These are wise words from the prince. Lately there has been so much emphasis on the importance of leadership (rulership) that is has tended to devalue the role of caring (looking after the flock). No pastor can attend personally to every need of every person but he can address some in a way that sets a visible example and he can lead the church to equip her people to care competently for those in need. We cannot avoid needy people because we're all needy at some point or another. If you don't have time for needy people, you'll alienate everyone eventually. I've met many people in our community, people with all the visible marks of success, who feel they have no spiritual counselor to whom they can go in times of crisis. Often their pastors seem inaccessible and other church leaders unhelpful. I recently met a high profile Christian businessman who had abandoned any hope that a local church would ever minister to his needs. He doesn't want to be labeled a "consumer" but he admits he has needs. While I don't excuse his detachment, I understand his frustration. I think we could start a revolution by equipping our people to care, not just for the down and out, but for the up and out as well. Everyone is needy!

[Jeff Fisher]

Pastor J.D.,

More required reading from Spurgeon for ministers. Good word.

Praying for you today.

[the fatherless]

Good reading. Whenever I see a pastor who spends almost all of his time teaching in his church or sitting in his office, I think of Christ and I compare and contrast. Christ was "out there" as Spurgeon describes... eating with prostitutes, drinking with sinners, healing the sick, going to the common people, listening to, speaking to, and teaching them where they lived. It seems his original disciples followed suit. Yet many modern pastors are reclined in their office or walking around their building 8 hours a day. Many are so out of touch with the world they have virtually no chance of building a relationship with anyone other then someone they'd meet on their church property. That doesn't seem, to me, to be the example Christ set.

[Grady Bauer]

Great post. I think the days of the minister staying on the campus waiting for the world to come to him for advice are way past. I think the modern pastor should be setting the example by getting off the campus and out into the real world.

Imagine a pastor that coaches little league, tutors children, volunteers with a non-church non profit...in other words a pastor that recognizes ministry can and should occur off campus. I would follow a pastor like this any day.

[Raudel]

“A desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world.” Wow! Loved that quote!!! Even though Spurgeon wrote that from his desk... :)

[the fatherless]

LOL... a desk can be a dangerous place to watch the world while still being the perfect place to write about it. Balance is the key, me thinks.

[John Wallace]

Raudel; I'm totally with you; of course I hate desks so this is my liberation!