In the past three years, I’ve spoken with numerous pastoral nominating committees who receive hundreds of r?sum?s. They told me they pick the one with the most experience and who will fit into their church. Where is that in the Bible? It is not there.
When the people pick a manager rather than allow the Lord to lead them, we begin to see a similarity to the events in the Old Testament with King Saul. A pastor should be God’s instrument, to be used to proclaim the word of God, shepherd the church, evangelize the lost, and equip the saints. Unfortunately, these committees pick someone because of his experience, or because they like the way he preaches or the programs he set up in the past, or because of his plans to increase the youth or grow membership.
We have got to get away from man-centered theology and get back to the Bible. Too many churches do not even know what sound doctrine is. They just want to hear what is comfortable to them and what they are used to.
With so many people leaving the church at a high rate, we have to let go of our preconceived notions and be discipled properly. I recently heard of a church in Florida that baptized thousands in the past but now has 70 in regular attendance. To baptize is great, but the Lord charged us to make disciples of them also.
So what do we have to do? We have to make sure God’s man is in the pulpit, not someone who we feel will do a good job.
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