The changing world of churches and pastors

I have lived by philosophies of both the “old” and “new” schools of pastoral ministry. But I have watched the incredible growth of the Pentecostal/Evangelical movement since churches and their leaders have been delivered from distorted and unduly legalistic doctrines and practices.

In my early seminary studies, about twenty five years ago, we reviewed some rather strange case studies involving concepts and doctrinal positions of churches and their ministers. As students, we were amazed at how much unnecessary suffering ministers of the Gospel, their families and their churches endured because of sheer ignorance or misinterpretation of the Word of God. But obviously, we have come a long way. There were pastors, who by choice, lived in abject poverty, denying themselves and their family proper food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care because they claimed that they would receive special blessings from God, since Jesus said, “blessed are the poor”. (The actual biblical text reads, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” — Matt 5:3). Others claimed that the Bible stated, “money is the root of all evil” (What the Bible actually says is that “the love” of money is the root of all evil).
Some Church Boards believed that if they kept the pastor’s salary/allowance very low and restricted his transportation to walking, a bicycle or an old car, and his dwelling to an old house or shack, then the pastor would “remain humble.” Pastors — and born again Christians as a whole — being involved in business, was a big taboo. These, and many more “weird extremes”, resulted in pastors and churches operating far below their potential. Today, the Full Gospel Businessmen Association is a big thing both locally and internationally. The Prophet Elisha put the widow in business, telling her, “Go sell the oil, pay your debts...” (2 Kings 4:7).

Pastors died, leaving their families penniless, homeless and in tremendous suffering. Many pastors did not believe in having life insurance or making a will. While pastors preached to their flock that the Bible says, “A good man leaves up an inheritance for his children’s children” (Pro 13:22) they themselves did exactly the opposite. Children of pastors therefore became bitter with the church and rebelled, while some of them went off on drugs. The view was also widely held that using church funds for television or radio ministry was a sin, since radio and TV were “of the world”. Politics was a no-no. Not very long ago, steel pan and gospelypso (religious calypso) were also “of the devil”. The same applied to women preachers, women in trousers or ladies decorated with facial make-up, jewellery or uncovered heads. There were pastors who did not believe in doctors and medicine. On the remuneration of Ministers of the Gospel, the Bible clearly states, “Don’t muzzle the ox that treads the corn” (1 Tim 5:18) and “... let the elders that rule well be counted of double honour” (1 Tim 5:17). Of course, the Bible also gives stern warning about “hirelings” and being “greedy of filthy lucre” (1 Tim 3:8). We have had cases in the Bible, and certainly in “real life”, of those who have attempted to use the Gospel purely for perennial gain. This can be the other extreme and the Bible is equally strong against it. It must be continuously emphasised, that with the growth in churches, ministries and resources, that we have been experiencing, there must be accompanying integrity and accountability. The key is balance. I have heard pastors — especially of over two decades or so ago say, “I know that the Bible, my congregation and my country give me the right — and the resources — to have a more suitable car or house and improved living conditions. But what “the people” (critics) will say?

As we discovered in our studies, such a position is absolutely ridiculous and is in fact, irresponsible. Apart from that, this is contrary to the very oath which Ministers take for the ministry call. There is certainly no place in the biblical call of a pastor which charges him to adopt the silly, unfounded comments of critics as instructions for making decisions which govern the affairs of his personal life or ministry. The minister certainly must not be arrogant, ignoring or condemning all voices which may not agree with him. He should objectively evaluate views. However, he must ignore nuisance attempts by detractors and stay focused on his purpose and mission. I have learnt, and lived by philosophies of the “old school” as well as the “new school”. But I have watched the absolutely incredible growth of the Pentecostal/Evangelical movement over the world since churches and their leaders have largely been delivered from distorted and unduly legalistic doctrines and practices. Churches have gone on to literally cover the globe with the Gospel and humanitarian work, via satellite, television, radio, printed literature and personal contact. Mega Pentecostal churches are everywhere. Many radio and television stations are fully Christian-owned. Christians are freely involved in politics. Quite a number of pastors and ministries have their private airplanes. Millions of Pentecostals, including ministers and elders are also involved in successful businesses. Massive Pente-costal/Evangelical social programmes have been in operation on an international scale. Many of them are based in the US. It should be noted that a major point of strength for the Church is that despite its change-and-growth pattern, it continues to remain non-compromising on fundamental doctrines such as salvation, family life, moral absolutes and other similar areas.