Opening up the pages of the newest publication among the churches of Christ, I always flip to the back to read the newest listing for congregations seeking a minister. As I read through each one, I am intrigued and at the same time, find it comical due to the wide variety of listings.
“…at least 17 years experience needed.”
“…must be married. (Children preferred)”
“…must be sound in the faith.” (By the way I have yet to read an advertisement for an unsound minister.)
“…must hold office hours and visit the brethren daily.”
“…wife must be willing to teach classes.” (Who are we hiring here?)
Reading through the list makes me wonder how many churches today would hire Peter, John, Matthew, Paul, Andrew or even Jesus?
While some of the requirements might be helpful, I question the wisdom of making the majority of our ministers into pastors and placing the responsibility of the entire congregation on one man’s shoulders. I wonder who many congregations passed up a growing young man, because he was “too young” for them. I think Timothy and Paul ran into the same problem. (See 1 Timothy 4.12)
So, I came up with an advertisement I would like to see; in fact, I will be the first to toss it out there and see who calls.
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Minister Seeking a Congregation
An imperfect minister seeks an imperfect congregation of the Lord’s people who are willing to live for Christ each day. The size of the congregation does not matter, only the size of their hearts.
The congregation must be willing to be challenged, loved, taught and share the love that Christ had for the world in their daily lives. This is not a Sunday only request, but a daily one.
The membership must not be apathetic; if there is, let it not be the majority. If it is the majority, let them be prepared for an honest discussion centered around the sacrifice of Christ.
The membership should be ready to open a Bible and discuss the greatness of God, the life of Christ and the purpose of the Spirit. The membership should be ready to have people of all races, nationalities, backgrounds, social status, economic status and jobs enter into Bible study together. The congregation must be ready to reach outside of their comfort zone to assist others in knowing Christ.
The deacons, if applicable, must be willing to serve as Christ served us. There should understand their work is not only a physical work, but a spiritual one as well. Their work will help to take care of members, the physical building, the teaching program and many other needful areas to assist with the growth of the congregation.
The elders, if applicable, must be willing to shepherd. They should not be bill payers, but leaders of the flock. They must understand they are accountable to the flock God has called them to shepherd. They should lead the congregation from the front, not beat them from the pew. They should visit the flock to know them by name.
As a whole, the congregation should be trying – trying to serve God every day. They do not need to be perfect, just willing to reach for perfection. It is Christ which makes us perfect, not ourselves.
The congregation should strive to rejoice and cry together often.
Regarding a building…not necessary.
Regarding Powerpoint…not necessary.
Regarding love…ready to grow.
Regarding hope…only in Christ.
No resume or references necessary.
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To make this discussion even deeper, if these qualifications interest you, feel free to call me at 843-437-8772. Ask for Chris, I just might be looking for you.
Just some thoughts,
When that congregation contacts you, let us know where it is!
Thanks Jan. I will let you know. Ha ha
Oh the plight of the pitiful six figure one day a week preacher. So sorry to offend you by having job requirements and qualifications. When it gets too bad, get a real job!.
sorry that you have judged a need for moderation. Preachers need to think of their employment as a real job and do what they are told or find other work. Preacher whining has done got old.
Mr Wayne I’m not sure if you preach or not . I know that most preachers who preach at a small congregation feel what Chris has written. Not crying here just facts. The plain truth.
Great post Bro! Appreciate you! Amen Tim…
If a person is preaching because of the salary they shouldn’t be preaching. As a preacher, I don’t believe the preacher should be in the top 30% of the wage earners in a congregation. I’ve been in service in one form or another for the past 30 years. If getting rich and having nice things is your goal, preaching isn’t for you. If sharing God’s love and living a frugal life sounds good to you, go for it.
Chris, I think you nailed it out of the park.
So Mr. Wayne what congregation have you walked into that fulfills these request because I have yet to see one and that is sad to say considering they are to be congregations of the Lord’s church? Congregations are being run as a business more and more. If they are a small congregation, they do not have elders or deacons for guidance. My husband has preached for three congregations without elders. It becomes very discouraging not just to him but to his family as well because you end up seeing so many that may have the same goal as you to get to heaven but do nothing to achieve it and live more and more to please worldly standards than biblical standards.
Mr. Wynne,
I moderate every comment due to the large amount of uncles I have winning the Nigerian Lottery and leaving messages on this page along with the occasional mens prescription medicine discount that passes though. With a site which gets several hundred thousand vies a year, moderation is necessary; even with a powerful SPAM comment filter.
Most preachers I know do think of their position as a “work in the gospel of Christ.” They do work beyond what many consider to be working hours in study, services to members and proclaiming the truth.
This was not a whining article, instead it was one of honest reflection according to the Scriptures.
I do thank you for stopping by,
Chris
Mr Wynne,
Thank you for your comments even though I think you are making assumptions which are not accurate. Most ministers, if not 99% of the one’s I know, do not make six figures by working one day a week. Instead, they sacrifice what could be skills used for a six-figure secular job, for a job being supported by Christians as they proclaim the gospel; just as brothers who have gone on before.
As for being offended by the job requirements, maybe so. I prefer to look to the work of Jesus, Paul and the other apostles to see the work they were doing and the “requirements” they had. The church is not a business, but a kingdom.
As for a real job, I do work two real jobs to support my family and also seek to save the lost.
Thanks for stopping by,
Chris
Trent,
Thank you for your comments my friend. Keep pressing on.
Chris
Phil,
Excellent comments! I appreciate your thoughts. I agree with you.
God bless,
Chris
Cassie,
Thanks for stopping by. Keep pressing on. I know Scott (and you) are doing a great work. Keep it up.
God bless,
Chris
I too used to think preachers worked only one day a week. I also thought it was an easy job and cushie, so to speak. I had a list in my head of all the things /I/ thought they should do and not do. I had been guilty of pulling out that pedestal to put the local preacher on, giving him no room to be anything other than what I thought he should be, and no room to be human. Then, my husband became a preacher. I started realizing how unrighteously judgemental I was being. My thoughts changed because I was in new shoes, being the wife of a preacher. Those shoes can be very uncomfortable and binding sometimes because of the perceptions and demands of others, like the previous me, who expect more of us than God does, but these shoes can also be a huge blessing, so let’s not forget that. I’m glad to be in new shoes now because it takes me from assuming what it’s like, to knowing what it’s like. I needed to be humbled so I could get back to being the Christian He wants me to be, or at least give my best effort, despite others unknowingly bringing me down.
Kristie,
Wow! What excellent words from a new perspective. How would you like to write a guest post on “Preacher’s wives?” Let me know what you think.
God bless,
Chris
Apparently you are limited to the small and almost out of business congregations. The last time our town’s 1200 member church of christ needed a preacher it was a 2 year process.
94 “would be kings” came to the elders interview with the following list of DEMANDS:
1. I don’t visit hospitals,funeral homes, or individual homes.
2. I teach a class every other quarter on Wednesday night but not every quarter.
3. I don’t perform weddings or funerals.
4. I don’t do Sunday night. That is out of date and if you are still have Sunday night services they need to stop.
5. I don’t do office hours and I don’t answer as to why.
6. If you are not offering 125,000.00 with pre-set raises, this interview is over.
That is the element of preacher we larger churches deal with. They could care less about spreading Jesus’ gospel. There are at least 94 of them in the church of christ because we have met them all.
Eddie,
I am not sure if you are taking a shot at me or not, but nevertheless, I will respond.
I have not been limited by congregations; I have worked in small and large. My friends preach in large and small ones as well. I have chosen to work with small congregations because my passion is there.
I wound encourage you not to lump all ministers into the same category no matter what the case. Also, unless you sat in and were part of those interview processes (I do not know if you were) then it is hard to gauge the discussions from an outside point of view.
Some of our congregations are turning the preacher role into a shepherding role and that is not Biblical unless one is an elder too.
My thoughts,
Chris
If you ever decide to open your mind to someone’s point of view beside yours, you might be able to write a helpful blog.
Eddie,
All I can say is thank you for stopping by.
Chris
Thanks. I will certainly consider that.
Perfect.
Would like to borrow that. Let me know.
Glenn,
Thank you for stopping by. Feel free to borrow.
Thanks,
Chris