Comments on: Preacher’s Parking Spot

By: Rusty

Rusty — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:37:14 +0000

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.

By: Tim Spivey

Tim Spivey — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:04:30 +0000

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?

By: K. Rex Butts

K. Rex Butts — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:40:01 +0000

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

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:13:41 +0000

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.

By: Roger

Roger — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:32:52 +0000

the preacher in the second chair thing sounds a lot like what women have had to deal with in church for a long time.

By: K. Rex Butts

K. Rex Butts — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:04:53 +0000

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

By: Justin Gerhardt

Justin Gerhardt — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:29:12 +0000

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.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:12:23 +0000

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.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:37:51 +0000

What do you think of this paradox?