Is there a direct correlation between young pastoral leaders, failure, the state of the church, and how we cultivate them?
A friend recently asked me whether I saw as much failure in pastors as we are seeing far too publicly today?
I am not sure of the answer. Am I to assume that there was less temptation and more righteousness among the church leaders in my growing up years? Or, was the culture of leadership closed off to the knowledge of many of the church people? Probably more the later than the former, but, I cannot believe that sin in leadership was any less present.
What is evident, is that it never has been a good idea to give young leaders too much unilateral authority. I say unilateral, for two reasons.
One, the way that leadership in local churches is structured, the idea of “pastor,” is given too much authority. The idea that the “buck” stops with me, is still alive and well with too many young leaders. Their “calling” leads them to believe that there is something special in them. Their gifting leads them to believe that there is something special in their words.
Yet, without deep daily time with the correcting and maturing words of God ministered by the Spirit of God, the ego can rise to dangerous levels.
Two, the way that people view their “pastor,” is equally full of potential deception. We “pastors” are not what too many people think we are. Especially when we are young, we are not endowed with supernatural ability to speak and act in extraordinary ways that only time and discipline will ultimately mature to servant outcomes.
Time has demonstrated that we can easily become a danger to our marriages, our families, our church bodies, and to ourselves. The potential arrogance that comes with the position, can rip at the very sinews of our intimacy with our savior.
Paul gives good counsel to Timothy, who at that time was in his mid 30’s. “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:13-16
Even while Timothy was to give himself to public activities (reading scripture, exhorting and teaching), in and with the other elders, and, growing in the use of his gift, he was especially to watch out for his own life. The position Timothy had at this point in his life, was directly connected to Paul’s authority as an apostle. “Until I come!” Timothy was not exercising responsibility alone or in a vacuum.
He was left in Ephesus by Paul, commissioned by Paul and would eventually be again in Paul’s presence to render an accountability for how he had done in following Paul’s commission.
So, we see Timothy at what was a younger age in his culture, mid thirties, given a responsibility beyond his years of spiritual maturity. Yet he was not commissioned to act in isolation. While he kept a close eye on his own life and teaching, he did so under and within his relationship with Paul, and assuredly in conjunction with the elders, most of whom were probably older than him.
As a too young man, I was given responsibility way beyond my life learning to that date. I could study the Bible and teach the Bible, but to presume that I was ready to be “senior or lead Pastor” was a mistake. I thank God that early on he gave me some men, older than me, who encouraged my giftedness, but also poured into my personal life.
Today, I do not advocate this pathway. It is still the primary pathway within most churches, but it is a mistake. The church culture encourages this mistaken expectation on young men. Training schools inculcate this same expectation and even endow them with a kind of “knowledge” authority that reinforces the dangers. Elders treat these young men as if they are ready and able to lead a body of people in most cases older than them.
Where there are healthy, forthright and godly men already in the body and leadership, it can ”work.” But, in too many cases the young person is too convinced of themselves, those around them to weak spiritually, and the people too enamored with the public abilities of their pastor.
As my friend asked me that question about so much sin in church leaders, these are the thoughts that came to mind.
The situation as it is today in the church is wrong. It creates weak pastors. It creates too many tempting situations where knowledge and understanding are not yet matched. It creates too many church bodies who cast too much faith and expectation on a person. It creates too much weight on the leadership family.
Sin, of course, will be found in all ages of church leadership. But, to willfully create a structure where we play into the hands of the flesh and the aggressive activities of Satan, is not only dangerous for everyone, it is not biblical.
So, what is the Biblical model? Even as a young man in such leadership positions, I was still asking questions? As those questions persisted, I have spent more than three decades thinking about them. Eventually, I wrote them down.
You can find my conclusions in at least three places.
First, in my book “Alone At The Top.”
Second, and for free, you can find some of the thoughts on the SCP podcast. Look for the discussions about leadership:
Third, you can access my article on “Interdependence,” for free here.
May God grant us the courage to work differently at the task of leading Christ’s people.
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