Loading ...Preacher’s Parking Spot
I was reading a book about ministers, well about pastors, and you all know about those terms. In the book, it was talking about ministers having an assigned or special parking spot. Some of the preachers wanted to give this practice up but some in the congregation were opposed to this. The reasoning was that the people liked to drive by to see if the minister was there. Also, some of the staff opposed this change because they liked knowing if the preacher was in or not. On the other hand, the congregation wanted to change this custom but the ministers were against this. It was a status symbol. It represented authority and power.
Being a minister in the churches of Christ is a strange paradox sometimes. On the one hand, you have no authority and you hate it. On the other hand, you have no authority and you love it. I think every minister has felt this feeling before. You are not in charge and it drives you crazy. You cannot tell anyone to do anything. The elders have authority, the deacons have authority, even the members have authority over certain aspects, but you as a minister, you have none. Of course, you have second chair authority, the influence authority, but you have no established authority in the congregation. You cannot change a thing unless someone says “yes.” This has caused a lot of ministers to go crazy.
On the other hand, you have no authority and love it. I am sure every minister has enjoyed the “buck not stopping with them.” You are not responsible, it was not your choice, you have played “good guy, bad elder” over and over again in the ministry. It is really nice not to have all this authority on your shoulders. You do not have to focus on a bunch of stuff taking place in the congregation. You have enjoyed the “I see how you are feeling, you are totally opposed to how they are feeling, but you state, I will have to ask the elders first.” You know the elders are going to say no and you are happy. Let the elders take the blame. Sometimes not having authority is a great blessing.
Before we fight for the parking spot, make sure you really want to park in it.
Related posts:
- When The New Preacher Comes
- Preacher Killers
- Preacher-Elder Relationships
- That, The, Our, and My Preacher–Part 1
- That, The, Our, and My Preacher–Part 3
About The Author
What do you think of this paradox?
A very strange paradox indeed. Personally, I love the way God established authority in the Church. It helps for the preacher to only have the authority to speak the word as he learns what God has to say.
I am glad to be a member of this congregation who is afforded the opportunity to study and present lessons to challenge each of us.
I am glad we have good elders who lead, listen, and learn as they shepherd us.
The toughest thing, Matthew, is when the responsibility you bear outpaces (and often far outpaces) the authority you’re given. That’s a recipe for insanity.
I think more elderships need to realize that delegating authority doesn’t equate to relinquishing it.
I believe the paradox is UNBIBLICAL. Historically, the Pastoral Epistles have been regarded in our fellowship as key to defining the work and role of a preacher/minister. The funny thing is, we have some how come to ignore the “first chair” authority given to both Timothy and Titus. Now I certainly don’t believe the minister has all the leadership authority…the church should have elders/shepherds as well. But to say the minister has no decisive authority and the eldership has all the decisive authority is as biblically unbalanced as saying the reverse.
As for having my own parking spot…no thanks…there are just too many questionable assumptions about church implied in having a “Pastors Parking Spot”.
Grace and peace,
Rex
the preacher in the second chair thing sounds a lot like what women have had to deal with in church for a long time.
I believe that in this area it is best to have a frank conversation with the elders before going to a congregation. I think that much conflict is found in the level of authority that is given or not given a minister. Some ministers are happy with none while some want all. There better be agreed from the beginning.
Yes, I agree that there needs to be a conversation. I recently visited a congregation that exists within the confines of an inner-city metropolitan area. Most of the church membership drives in from the suburbs to worship every Sunday. It was painfully clear that while the elders had a desire to see the gospel advance but had very little clue as to how to missionally be about the gospel in an inner-city context…yet they seemed very insistant on being the ones who drive the missional approach for the future. I believe this is one reason why their church is in decline…it is a leadership failure, where the existing leadership is trying to accomplish something they are not even equipped to accomplish yet. But what if instead of bringing someone (a preacher) in to be their taskmaster they brought in someone who not only would preach and teach the gospel but would also cast a vision for that community, an equipper of people for that vision, etc… Such a preacher would not remover the need for elders but instead would work alongside of the elders in a partnership whereby each serve the church and God’s mission in their perspective roles.
I know of a church in another city where the elders have given up this exclusive control and invited a preacher in to be a leader rather than just a taskmaster tool of the eldership. This church, which was on the verge of shutting their doors and merging into another dying church with the same problems, is now beginning to grow again…teaching and baptizing mainly the young professionals who live in the very affluent and socially liberal community.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Really great thoughts, Matt…and great discussion. Which paradox exists varies from church to church. I had a parking spot at the building in Dallas when I first arrived and gave it up. When the church saw the sign was gone, they made me take it back. For them, it was a sign of appreciation ot the minister. How ’bout that? Paradox three?
If you want your own parking place do what I do – I get to church 1 hour before worship on Sunday so I can have whatever parking spot I want. This way I don’t have a sign but get the spot (ha).
I think pulpit guys have 1st chair influence but no authority
I think youth/children/educational/etc.. have 1st chair authority but little influence.