Greenwood, South Carolina

Why our church isn't "pastorized"

I have wanted to write something along these lines for quite some time.  I’ve thought about preaching a sermon on this subject, and may well do that in the near future.  But for now, I think I’ll take this spot to write what I feel.

One of the basic beliefs of the Restoration Movement has been that we “call Bible things by Bible names.”  If the Bible calls it one thing, we don’t make up a new name for it, but use what the Scriptures say.  Another basic belief is the “priesthood of all believers,” the idea that all of us are to serve Christ without distinctions as to rank or order.  1 Peter 2:9 says that we are “… a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  I will connect these two ideas later in the article.

Some of you may have noticed that when I speak of myself as the person who preaches from the pulpit, I use the word “minister.”  Christian Church and Churches of Christ use the word “minister” quite often to describe the man who preaches, teaches, and encourages.  At least, they used to do so.  I notice more and more churches of the Restoration Movement are using the word “pastor” to describe that same man.

I am disturbed by this trend.  I grew up in the Christian Church.  I operate from its world view.  This led me to do some research on the subject of what to call the man in the pulpit.  I discovered several interesting facts. 

 

So, why not call me “pastor?”  Several answers come to mind. 

First, it is not a NT title for what I do.  I am the one who preaches, teaches, and encourages.  Yes, I know that I do quite a bit of work with the members of this congregation.  But I find it interesting that the term “shepherd” was not used of the Jewish teachers, the rabbis.  Jesus does call himself the “Good Shepherd,” and encouraged his disciples to “shepherd” His “sheep.”  So it’s easy to understand why people would think of the minister as the one who “feeds” his spiritually hungry flock.

In that sense, I suppose I am a“pastor.”  Every person who worships here at First Christian Church is spiritually hungry, and by preaching the Word of God, I am feeding him or her.  I hope that through my sermons, lessons, and example, I am providing you with spiritual nourishment. 

However, the title of “minister” implies a wider role, and reveals how we view the roles of the preacher and the congregation.  As I said earlier, the word “minister” means “servant.”  A servant is one who does not act on his or her own authority, but at the direction of another.  This is why you hear us preachers refer to our time with a church as “serving a congregation.”  When we use the word “minister,” we are emphasizing the mutual service that Jesus teaches, because He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”  (Mark 10:45).

The second reason I don’t use the word “pastor” is due to the nature of the church as historically viewed by the Restoration Movement.  As mentioned above, we emphasize the “priesthood of all believers.”  We are partners in spreading the Gospel.  As Rubel Shelly says,

 

The first Christians were Spirit-filled amateurs at their God-given tasks. But they turned the world upside down!  The role of “professionals” in the ministry of present-day churches needs desperately to be moved from priestly performance with audience critique to the role of church leaders as Paul understood it.  He saw the work of men such as himself as serving “to equip the saints for the work of ministry so the Body of Christ will be built up” (Eph 4:12, NIV)…the task is to understand that it is the “larger group” (i.e., a church’s total membership) that has been called to function as Christ’s representatives in the world – not just that group’s professional (i.e., paid) staff.  As one writer reminds us, professionals built the Titanic, amateurs built the Ark.[1]

 

It is true that I have some small authority with our worship services, our care for the sick and hurting, our Wednesday night Bible study and other areas.  However, I have that authority because you have given it to me by submitting to my teaching and witness!  Ultimately, however, all authority comes from Jesus.  He is the one who “owns” the church because “He purchased [it] with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).  And he gave us different gifts to use for the edification of the church.  We have elders who visit, pray, and occasionally preach and women who provide food, comfort, encouragement, and direction.  We always have someone willing to step up to the plate and volunteer to help. 

I can preach thousands of sermons on discipleship and commitment.  Those of you who worship together on Sundays carry out the real work of making a difference in our community.  Without your love and devotion to the cause of Christ and First Christian Church, our motto,  “Where Strangers Become Family,”  would mean nothing.

So, you see, this is why I am not your “pastor,” the only one in charge of “herding the flock.”  Instead, I am one of you, and I have my part to play in creating and sustaining this loving, vital, community of faith. 

I have recently completed my eleventh year of service with this congregation.  When I retired from the pulpit ministry in December 2005, I thought my preaching days were over.  As you know, God had different plans, and brought me back to this congregation in late 2008.  I consider my time in Greenwood one of the most challenging, yet most richly rewarding periods of my life.  It’s because of you, allowing the Spirit of Christ to permeate all that you do.

If you call me “pastor,” I won’t rebuke you or be ugly.  I understand that you are showing respect.  I already know that you respect me.  You’ve called me not once, but twice to be your minister.  So titles are not necessary to show respect.

Now to the final question:  “What do we call you?”  Why not just plain “Dan?” 

All scripture taken (unless otherwise noted) from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.