Stop Comparing Your Pastors
It is downright divisive to compare your pastors and create factions within a church setting that claim, "He's my guy". Oh well, that guy, he's actually my guy. That kind of spiritual pride and competitive culture is not at all constructive for the church to fulfill its glorious purpose.
The church in Corinth was notorious for that kind of spiritual pride and cutthroat mentality. And so, Paul rebukes them. He says, "Now I exhort you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind, in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, I am of Paul and I of Apollos and I of Cephas and I of Christ. Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 is incredibly convicting. Based on Paul's warning to Corinth, we should be careful to remember these four truths.
1. A Church Divided Cannot Stand
If you love what Jesus died for, you want it united, not divided. Therefore, be careful of creating factions, divisions, and power groups that center around your guy versus my guy showdowns.
2. Different Pastoral Giftings Are Good
All pastors need to be 1 Timothy 3 qualified. But not all will be gifted and wired the same way. God gives pastors as gifts. We see that in Ephesians 4, and each will have unique spiritual gifts. Some have wisdom or insight into our situation and can relate to us because of their personal experience or background. Others provide timely care and will never forget their kindness and compassion, while others are the regular voice of exhortation in our life and we bond with them through faithful instruction in all of these differences. Cherish your pastors for their unique contribution to your spiritual maturity and care.
3. Relating to Certain Pastors More Isn't Wrong
Whether it be relationally, or just personality, or ministry, proximity, or their background. Some church members are going to relate to certain pastors more. And that's not wrong. God can use certain providential similarities and circumstances to help people and a specific pastor bond in unique ways. And that man may be a go-to because he can relate to you. Christ is permanent.
4. Pastors are Replaceable
Whether it be longtime pastors we grow attached to or gifted leaders that we're inclined to follow. We all need to remember that Christ is the builder of the church, not pastors. He's the eternal master. Pastors, we're temporary slaves. He is forever. Pastors are just for right now; every Christian, and even pastors, needs to say Amen to that. But will we put what we know into action when that pastor who, maybe we've put on a pedestal, graduates into glory, or God moves a pastor on to a new work? More often than not, pastors endure a, bit of a rough ride because church members have grown more attached to the last guy than to the Lord.
I pray that these four principles would encourage you, and I'd encourage you to let your pastors know you love them and you appreciate their ministry. But ultimately, you love them because they are servants of Christ.
