Here’s a Holy Week thought.
When a congregation has become a social club and begins to think of its pastor as its chief master of ceremonies as well as its primary recruiter for new (and acceptable) members of the club, has it ceased being a Christian church regardless of the sign on the door?
When they fondly remember the wonderful pastor who did just that and brought so many new comers into the church that it was always full, do they wonder where all those people went and why they left?
When some smart-ass church consultant tells them that it is their job, and not the pastor’s, to become seekers of seekers, fishers of men and women, and the only kind of evangelism they can think of is a Jehovah’s Witness door knock, have they ever been taught how to be disciples?
When inviting someone to Rotary or the Country Club is natural, expected and enthusiastically accomplished, but not a word will ever be spoken about St. Swithen’s Church, have we, who are called and ordained to be teachers of the faith, simply failed for lack of trying even a little bit?
My guess is that, if congregations and pastors were included in the national No Christian Left Behind program of evaluation, most of us would receive failing grades and few of us would be entitled to any merit pay. We were called to be shepherds. Have we ended up as hirelings?