I recently read an article that made me shake my head in agreement from a periodical named the Christian Century. The Christian Century is a well-respected Christian journal. No fly-by-night operation here. They do good work. This article is by William Willimon. William Willimon is an American theologian and bishop in the United Methodist Church, who served the North Alabama Conference. He is currently Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School. He is former Dean of the Chapel at Duke University and is considered by many as one of America’s best-known and most influential preachers. In other words, he is no slouch and he knows his stuff.

When I am challenged to think, act and lead differently I am reminded of the words from James 3:1, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers (or master, or leader), my brothers and sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

I understand that I am not only responsible for myself but also for the people of Bethel Lutheran Church. The Bible tells me that I will be judged more strictly when it comes to the position I hold. I am absolutely saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ—but I also know that I am accountable because of my position. That is why articles like this get my attention.

This article is entitled “Why Leaders are a Pain.” Willimon describes the challenge of churches in the 21^st century as it relates to the pastor. I am going to quote some of the article because I think it is important to ponder these things no matter where you attend church.

“This may be the first generation of pastors in centuries to whom God has given the intimidating assignment of not only loving but changing the church. When the San Damiano crucifix spoke to Francis of Assisi, it didn’t say, ‘Love everybody, particularly the birds.’ Christ told Francis, ‘Rebuild my church.’”

The story goes that St. Francis was praying in an old church when he heard the voice of God telling him to “rebuild my church.” Francis at first thought God meant for him to fix up the church in which he was praying. No. God had bigger plans for him. Francis came to the realization that the Church body needed more than just a face-lift.

There is a big difference between loving and caring for people and engaging people for ministry in the 21^st century. We need both. We need God’s love of course but we also should love others while taking seriously the mission to make Christ’s name known in our community. Without love we have nothing. Without mission we will eventually have nothing.

“In a class on clergy leadership, one of my colleagues asked the students, ‘What is the most important thing pastors offer congregations?’

A seminarian replied, ‘Just to be present with people—listen, love, and stand with them.’

‘That’s not good enough,’ snapped back this professor of pastoral care. ‘You must have the courage to be a Christian caregiver. You can’t do that without being a truth teller. Individuals and congregations can’t get better unless somebody cares enough to help them hear and respond to the facts.’”

As a pastor, it would be much easier just to love people. Who doesn’t like to be liked? I know it sounds a tad co-dependent but that is the path of least resistance. Let’s just all get along and I will be there for you when you need it. But you and I both know that is not the sole calling of a Christian. I can hear Jesus calling from the recesses of mind saying, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” How we do that has changed over the past 2000 years, but the call to do that has never been rescinded or amended. We absolutely have to love, but there is more to being the church than just that.

“A church told Willimon about the time they met with their bishop, Janice Huie, to discuss the profile of their next pastor. They reported how much they appreciated their current pastor. ‘We love him and he loves us,’ one member said. ‘We hope that our next pastor will be as good.’

The bishop asked, ‘If he is so beloved, why has your attendance slipped by 20 percent in the last two years?’

They replied, ‘We didn’t know that.’

She said, ‘And you are the church’s leaders? You must have worked hard not to notice.’ Then the bishop whipped out charts that showed the congregation’s rising age, declining giving, and lack of diversity.

‘When she got through rubbing our noses in those stats,’ said one member, ‘we were on our knees begging her to send us a pastor who knew not only how to love us but also how to help us.’

I admire Bishop Huie, who has taken on the difficult task of episcopal truth telling.”

Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to stir the pot or cause alarm or predict that the sky is falling. At the same time, business as usual has led the American church to where it is at now.

Life for me would be so much easier if I were a universalist. A universalist is someone who believes that Christ saves everyone regardless of belief, action or attitude. If I believed that my job would be so much easier. As Lutherans we do not believe in universalism because it is not to be found in the Scriptures. I am left with the words of Peter when facing the very men who convicted Jesus and handed down the death penalty. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” That name is Jesus.

I won’t conclude with answers. I will end with a question. How will the church reach children and youth with the message of God’s love so that they can get to know the One who has loved them since before their birth?

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

God bless us in the struggle,
Pr. Ben

The complete article can be found and read here: https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2016-01/why-leaders-are-pain