Fundamentalists Who Think Like Modernists
(or, How to keep the ministry from ruining your ministry)
Note: This article is geared especially for pastors.
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. 1 Peter 5:1-5
When we claim that a high percentage of fundamentalist pastors reason and process like modernists we are not referring to theological modernism. Rather, we are referring to the modernist period in our history. Though philosophical modernism is officially dead (having been replaced by its horrific successor, postmodernism) the fact remains that many fundamentalists still process modernistically.
Philosophical modernism was committed to the assumption that progress and success are both good and desirable. In a similar vein, many churches and pastors are convinced that the growth of their institutions are the ultimate proof that the blessings of God are on their ministry. Ministry models which evidence these values abound. Transitioning tools are widely observable, and the practice of charting our institutional courses from a team driven perspective has been eisegetically declared to be the biblical pattern.
In retrospect, these values can readily produce wood, hay, and stubble (1 Cor. 3:12) because they are akin to fleshly temple building practices. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to lay hold by faith on a desirable future for our churches. Our churches are to be built on biblically based agricultural and temple building dynamics (1 Cor. 3:6-10), not modernistic business models. The chief ministry model was provided by our Chief Shepherd who built up disciples, not ministry teams. Elders who feed and nurture Christ’s sheep, all the while, seeking, caring for them, praying for them, and guiding them and disciplining them are the ultimate examples of the biblical church growth models.
When we apply biblical ministry principles, we truly are relying on the promises of God (Jas. 5:7) as we patiently wait for the fruit which God has promised while applying His principles. We are not relying on growth dynamics regurgitated second hand from Harvard Business School.
We are not suggesting that churches should not plan and organize ministry. Corporate ministries, raised up by the Spirit in accordance with the gifts and abilities of Christ’s sheep synergistically leverage the energies of God’s people for Christ. Rather, we are arguing that such ministries are not the end. The sheep are the end. Unless there is direct and immediate care for each of Christ’s sheep within the flock, our institutional creations will surely take on a life of their own and ultimately succumb to the same boom and bust cycles that all businesses experience.
While the paste and glitter of institutionally centered ministries may attract many, few durable jewels will be found in the day of testing. The organization found in Acts six represented a proactive response to a present need. The care and feeding of the sheep had been precluded by logistics. The move to delegate through godly deacons was never intended to be the seed from which great institutional machines would grow. Rather, it was to protect the intimate nurturing of Christ’s sheep.
Personal, one on one shepherding is a difficult and challenging vocation and yet it is basic to all others. The pastor will always find that preaching, organizational duties, and a myriad of similar ministry opportunities will quickly and easily supplant this most important of all ministry tasks.
Pastor and elder friends, have you picked up the phone today, made a visit or touched anyone on a personal basis? If you haven’t, you may just be missing your true calling. We may not excuse ourselves by excelling in the things we love to do while ignoring the lamb. The vortex of institutional (modernistic) thinking comes uninvited and will always be ready to suck up our available ministry time.
“Perpetual Care” shouldn’t be limited to cemeteries! Consider a few good habits to help keep the ministry from hindering your ministry
- Consider praying for your sheep before praying for the respective ministries of your church.
- When you pray, ask the Lord to help you observe the spiritual and ministry states of each of Christ’s sheep, considering proactive steps to nudge each one forward in growth and ministry.
- Consider making at least one contact per day by visit, phone, email, or note.
- When organizing your formal ministry keep people first, programs second, and properties third, making sure that personal attention to the spiritual lives of your people is every leader’s first priority.
- In short, develop ministry habits that ensure every member of your fellowship has proper and perpetual spiritual care and attention.
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