“How can you be a failing pastor when you serve the Great King Jesus?”
–Tweet from a person who doesn’t know me
Well, it isn’t hard really. How, in fact, could I not be failing while serving the Great King Jesus?
Why do I refer to myself as a failing pastor?
I consider myself a failure by every measure of success the world, and most of the church, upholds. I make less money today than when I started. More people have left my church over the years than are in it, by multiples. I have not built a large church building. I speak at no conferences. No one has any idea who I am outside of the handful of people who still somewhat regularly show up at church.
I do not buy into church growth advice. I do not pursue hip, trendy, or relevant ends with hip, trendy, relevant means. I find zero scriptural support for such things. I know, “Paul became all things to all men so that by all means he might win some.” True and this is the same guy who said he did not come to them with persuasive words of man’s wisdom. The same guy who said if he pleased men he would not be the servant of Christ.
The Gospel is an offense and is foolishness to the world. Jesus Christ, the central figure of the Gospel, was crucified when He came into the world. That should be an indicator.
Churches know the Gospel is offensive. Churches know there is no money in preaching the Gospel. Therefore, churches become places that preach a specific agenda to win their chosen target demographic. “Find out what the people want and give it to them” is Church Growth 101.
Failing Pastor 