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In recent weeks, a spate of prominent pastors have announced that they are either temporarily or permanently stepping down from the role of pastor. Here is a list of some of the big ones, followed by the reasons they’ve given as to their change:
John Piper: Taking a leave of absence until Dec 31, 2010 “because of a growing sense that my soul, my marriage, my family, and my ministry-pattern need a reality check from the Holy Spirit.”
N.T. Wright: Leaving his position as Bishop of Durham in the Church of England to focus on being “a writer, teacher and broadcaster, for the benefit (I hope) of the wider world and church.”
Francis Chan: Leaving Simi Valley’s Cornerstone Church, which he founded and has led for the past 16 years, to “move into a major city such as LA, San Francisco, or New York… to try ministering in that environment.”
Jim Belcher: Leaving his position as founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California, “relocating to Oxford, England for one year to live, research and write.”
Mike Erre: Leaving his position as teaching pastor of Rock Harbor church in Costa Mesa, California “to begin another chapter in our adventure.”
In a recent article for Christianity Today, Andy Rowell attempts to make some sense of this sudden burst of pastoral transitions. Among other things, Rowell points out that these sorts of pastoral changes are not uncommon, that pastoring can be a stressful vocation, and that the types of people who are successful church planters and pastors (like the men mentioned above) often have intense entrepreneurial and creative energies that lead them to want to write books, which then become successful and require lots of travel/promotion/speaking engagements.
So, bearing in mind, as Rowell notes, that “it is problematic for us to judge people from a distance for their vocational decisions,” the question nevertheless remains: Is God’s kingdom benefited more by a highly effective pastor being a pastor, or a highly effective pastor being an author/speaker/leader?
I think it’s probably the case that God calls both types, and uses both to grow his kingdom. On one hand, we need dynamic pastors to preach the gospel and shepherd congregations, leading Christians in their daily struggles and spiritual growth. The church needs powerful and inspiring leaders on the local level, to be sure.
But on the other hand, we need dynamic speakers, writers, and thinkers to preach the gospel and instruct the wider Christian world–set aside for a different sort of task, as Rowell notes, “so that the body of Christ might be built up.”
I would imagine that with someone like N.T. Wright, who sells huge amounts of books all over the world and probably has fifty book ideas bustling around his head itching to get out, it probably became clear to him that his audience is far larger than just the people of his diocese in England, and thus to devote more time to the role of “writer/communicator/intellectual” would likely better utilize his gifts and maximize his potential to spread the good news of Christ to as many people as possible. When you have that platform to speak to so many (and with technology, it becomes possible even outside of the old models of publishing books), isn’t it your duty to take advantage of this?
On the other hand, the world is not going to collapse if any of these men–even the most talented and well-known of them–simply lives a quiet life from here on out. The destiny of lost souls depends on no man, but only on the grace of God, who will save who he will save through whatever means he chooses. These pastors know that. If God has other plans to use them in the future in dramatic and powerful ways, he will surely do so. But sometimes a pause or break or recalibration is needed to seek God and discover what those new plans might be. I suspect that many of these pastors are just hoping to be faithful Christians for a time, rather than doing so much. To abide in Christ–the being of Christianity, is certainly as or more crucial than the doing, after all.
But what of the fact that so many pastors seem to be stepping down now? What is it about this time (Spring 2010) that seems to be leading so many pastors to leave their churches? I’m not sure. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that so many are happening at the same time. Or perhaps there is a belief that Christianity in the west is at a tipping point, precariously on the brink of rapid deterioration as many prognosticators have forecast. Perhaps there is a sense that fresh, big-picture thinking and intellectual leadership are what the church needs now to help get it back in gear. I don’t know. But I find the whole thing interesting, and simultaneously exciting, perplexing, alarming, and comforting — but I guess that’s kind of what the church always is.
Comments
Brett, I think your thoughts in the last paragraph are worth considering. There is an enormous shift taking place globally in technology, the economy, the environment, and the church. Perhaps God is moving certain spiritual leaders like those in your article to step out so they can step up as cultural influencers. Of course, we still need leadership in the church, especially as this "tipping point" you reference takes on more meaning.
Curious - why do you drive a wedge between being and doing?
I don't think it is really possible. Take for example God. The great "I am" but YHWH is attached to something that translates, I AM you RIGHTEOUSNESS, I AM your PEACE, I AM your Healer.
The doing part is the relationship - and as one of the post-modern masses, I can't see being without the relationship it occurs. One of my critiques, is that the enlightenment enslaved churches are always talking about the "personal" relationship with God, but never about the personal relationship God has with the entire church, and in view of that - with the church seen in specific places.
The same thing with global church leaders - they must still be connected to a local church, even if their roles change. Jim Belcher notes this in one of his responses where he talks of settling into a church in England. Piper is still working with his elders, etc.
Leaving a congregation for another role in another congregation should never be confused with leaving the Church. By those who move, or those who comment about the move.
These men will be "being" even as they are "doing"
Let's be grateful for God's faithfulness demonstrated through them in the past....and encourage them during their transistions.
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I don't really have idea by pastors are stepping down, perhaps they lack of faith in God,? What' you think? weight loss programs
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Bret,
Thanks for taking such a thoughtful approach to this topic. I, too, think that the last paragraph is worth much more consideration. Part of the dynamic at the moment from my experience as both a pastor in a local church and as an observer and some-time consultant more broadly, is that there are (at least) two different types of leadership needed at the moment in the church: 1) Intellectual (as you noted) and 2) "Change leadership" within congregational life. Both are necessary and often the gift set for these two types of leaders are far different. As a huge fan of these pastors (particularly Jim Belcher and Tom Wright) I am gladdened that the world will get more of their thoughtful writing and speaking on a broader scale. But I am also hopeful that we'll continue to learn how to equip pastors who stay in the local churches to lead their communities of faith effectively and faithfully for being vibrant witnesses in their local contexts. While the premiere writers and speakers get worthy attention, the challenges facing the church at the moment need both kinds of leaders.
Tod Bolsinger http://bolsinger.blogs.com
There are some real meaty points here and I appreciate them a great deal. I think it is hard to know why “big” pastors and ministry leaders do what they do much of the time. I have interviewed some, known others, and lived in both big and small churches. At the end of all of that I am convinced that self imposed pause is good. Stepping back (or at least off the path) is a necessary element of moving forward well. Too many “great” people of God have not finished well. I hope these men will.
Equally important I think is that we need to stop thinking about ministry or pasturing or frankly anything else as a “career” journey. Followers of Christ are not on a career journey, we are on a ambassadorship sojourn that must be constantly directed by the Lord. The goal is not get bigger or better well known, but rather to do His bidding. The professionalism of Christianity has done us much harm.
I absolutely love your words, “On the other hand, the world is not going to collapse if any of these men–even the most talented and well-known of them–simply lives a quiet life from here on out. The destiny of lost souls depends on no man, but only on the grace of God, who will save who he will save through whatever means he chooses.” We could stand a healthy dose of this thinking.
Christian Buckley
thinkmoretruth.com
Humanitarian Jesus
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we have our own reason too why some of the pastors are stepping down or even all the pastors are stepping down. I also have some reasons too why they are stepping down.
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I am simply hypothesizing here but maybe many of these leaders are realizing that they are not necessarily pastors but instead one of the other offices. After awhile, it must be frustrating knowing that you are doing something that isn't necessarily the 'best' fit for you. Some are better church planters, others are great writers, while a few can teach like noone else's business.
Maybe God is doing a Nehamiah thing here where he is putting people on the right place on the wall where there skills are going to be best used.
It's part of the process. i remember about two months back. it seemed like a lot of pastors in our town were stepping down or getting seriously ill or having some kind of scandal. But it all has cooled down now and some new leadership has stepped up. The Gospel is not dependant on man's effort, but if we are wise we will seek to join in God's work. I do not mind a pastor taking a break, because ministry is tough. It aint easy to look after peoples spiritual and emotional and physical well being. Jesus both suffered in the wilderness and was ministered to by angels. we should give pastors the benefit of the doubt and allow them to be ministered to by others.
I'll leave you with a saying that my dad use to say: "a workman will find work," so if these men are men of God, then they will find ways to serve even if they are not pastors any more.
Thanks for letting me share,
Joe
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I wonder if it has anything to do with depression and spring time.
The idea that the winter is a time of depression because it is cold and damp and well just sucks sometimes, but once spring hits my attitude and mood will change like the weather.
I wonder in some senses, just like others who deal with depression and what happens when spring hits and you are still depressed, if these ministers are in a place where things are difficult and they are struggling themselves with burnout and passion fatigue that they look towards the spring as a time of change and new energy. When the problem doesn't go away they have to get away. Might be a big stretch, but a possibility.
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I think that a pastor needs to be a good speaker and a good pastor. The two characteristics go hand in hand and need to be found in an excellent pastor. I have seen so many of our parishioners with their rosary necklaces praying for the souls of these pastors that have stepped down. The stress and anxiety that they must feel in order to step down from a position that they love.
I wonder if it has anything to do with depression and spring time.
The idea that the winter is a time of depression because it is cold and damp and well just sucks sometimes, but once spring hits my attitude and mood will change like the weather.
I wonder in some senses, just like others who deal with depression and what happens when spring hits and you are still depressed, if these ministers are in a place where things are difficult and they are struggling themselves with burnout and passion fatigue that they look towards the spring as a time of change and new energy. When the problem doesn't go away they have to get away. Might be a big stretch, but a possibility.
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