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Christian Ministry Blog

Selfish Arrogant Ministers

The second church the Lord called me to was moderate with respect to Spiritual gifts, believing in all of them, but not allowing them to add confusion to the public meetings. It was also very evangelistically oriented. My regular duties included Men's Ministry, Small Group Ministry, some Counseling, Ushers, Greeters, Facility Maintenance, Mocha Ministry (believe it or not) and whatever else came up. I managed a staff of 7 employees and about 150 volunteers. I was on call 24 hours a day. In addition to this, for 2 years, I managed a $ 2.5 million building project from design through occupancy. As you might have guessed, this was a pretty large church, with average weekend attendance of 1,300 people.
If you're considering a ministry position as your primary income source, consider this: Someone with 2 degrees and these responsibilities in a California business would receive over $ 8,000 per month in salary and benefits. My salary (no benefits) grew from $ 1,000 to 2,200 per month over my 4 year tenure...the most I've received in over 15 years of full-time ministry. The janitor I supervised had a higher salary than I did. Sadly, my experience is typical in the Christian world. Unless you're in the top positions on a huge church staff, you're not likely to receive enough to feed your family. There is something seriously wrong with our system when it pays so little for dedicated professionals. In my opinion, the reason for this involves our use of expensive commercial facilities instead of homes as the primary place of worship. This more than doubles the fixed expenses of most churches and more than doubles the number of paid staff required. See our forum http://www.web-church.com/christian-forums/index.php?showforum=14 and our web page http://www.web-church.com/church_at_your_house.htm for more information on how churches could eliminate over 75% of their expenses, leaving that money to actually meet the needs in your community.
I was called to this church but cautioned by the Holy Spirit that it was a pretty sick place. It was the most selfish and self-indulgent group of ministers I've ever seen. The Lord called me there to speak truth to the staff more than to serve Him in the congregation. I was often forced to choose between popularity and prophecy, leaving me disliked by all but a couple staff members. The congregation seemed to love me. While there, I learned the staff didn't mean it when they preached about ministers being servants. I learned what Jesus meant about wolves coming in to devour the sheep. I learned from that church and that denomination that Jesus meant it when He said there would be false prophets and to examine their fruit before hearing their words.
Less than 2 weeks after my brother died of pancreas cancer, a meeting was called to discuss my behavior at church while he was dying. At the meeting, the Senior Pastor complained that I had not treated him with the proper honor when he came to visit my brother on his death bed. Because the Lord had told me to look for humility as a sign, the Sr. Pastor's comment ended the meeting and my tenure at that church.
That pastor is now selling real estate and most of his staff is no longer in ministry. The pastor of my first church is now selling insurance and most of his staff is no longer in ministry. Let me caution the proud and selfish ministers with something you may have told your sheep (while sheering them), 'God is watching!
What experiences have you had with false, arrogant or selfish ministers? Can you give me some examples of upright, though poorly paid servants of God? Do you feel someone has to have a title to serve God?

by: Big Al on Sep 8 2006, 04:09 AM

Dear Glenn, I should not be surprised at how evil and unchrist like churches can become; Jesus warned us long ago. I can relate to a lot of what you went through. I am a PK and I grew up watching my dedicated father confront and deal with church leaders that were selfish and arrogant. MOst of the time he was pushed out or let go which means that we would move again. I think that the short average that pastors other than the senior guy move so much is that they may line up with God but they don't march lock-step with the senior pastor. It is unfortunate that so many American Churches are run more like a corporation than a new testament church. They look just like the world; another thing Jesus talked about. I have been fortunate to have a great church headed up by a senior pastor that definitely takes his lead from God. He anounced last year that he felt that God was leading him to move (he had been at the church for 14 years). Since his departure we have a new pastor and surprise-surprise, I went to Point Loma with him back in the early eighties. Both of these guys are dedicated to doing Gods will and they work at staying out of the leadership role; although some people just can't help seeing them as that although they both say that they are not in charge. Many people say that God is the leader, not them. It is easy to see the way that people act and live and where their treasure is.
My grandfather past away last year and I went to his funeral service at a large church in Sacramento. It was new and polished. Everything from the parking lot to the sound system where state of the art. I felt like I was in a concert hall or a new performing arts building at a college. I later found out we were in the smaller side sanctuary and that the main sanctuary was 4 times larger. They had a cafe, a coffee kiosk, fountains, huge murals, I was in awe. I had never seen such a large, expensive building being proped up as a church. Something didn't seem right but I couldn't put my finger on it. After the service we all went to the home of one of my distant relatives. I knew none of the people except my dad. One of the pastors of the church who spoke at the funeral, they probably have dozens, is in the kitchen drinking beer. At that moment I realize what it is that I couldn't figure out; this church looks just like the world; it is the world. They have transformed this "church" into the world instead of "being transformed" out of the world.
I don't believe that alcohol in itself is bad or sinful, I don't believe that large churches are bad, I don't even think that this church was a bad church. It was just the impression that I got. I still believe that God can reach people at this church no matter how worldly or off track the leadership may or may not be. The power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can not be stopped by worldly leaders that want to change His church to their liking. It is His Church and He is in charge!

by: Glen on Sep 8 2006, 05:22 AM

Thank you. You're right! Praise god he's put me right where I belong...ministering on the web...which looks even more like the world. Having spent most of my life in Sacramento, I wouldn't mind knowing the name of that church. You can use the PM function in your "mycontrols" if you don't want to broadcast the name.

by: Sharon on Jan 9 2008, 06:18 AM

Hi Glen,

I am fairly new to this site. I posted the prayer request last month about my former foster kids. Thanks for your reply. I still feel badly about what happened and wonder why I couldn't handle the kids. I was really surprised by how difficult it was. I raised two boys who are now in their 30's and also take care of my nieces kids and have no problems with them.

Anyway, the reason I am writting is in response to the Selfish, Arrogant Ministers post. We were in a small church for about 4 years. We left a fairly large church, A Calvary Chapel, because we felt that in a smaller church we could make friends and feel connected.

Almost immediately, the pastor and his wife at the small church befriended us. Nothing like that ever happened to use before and we were flattered that they invited us to dinner etc.

To make a long story not too long, the pastor started confiding in us about the people he did not feel were doing, giving enough, etc. and complaining about people who were helping in different ministries but not doing enough. I guess this was manipulation so that we would stay in his graces. I think he sensed that we did not want to become one of those he did not approve of. We kept doing and doing more and more and then when we finally could not do as much (we wanted to start rotating some duties to every couple weeks with others instead of doing things every week while so many others did nothing) anymore he got upset and spoke harshly to me.

We left shortly after that and returned to Calvary Chapel. We also figured out why some of the people at the small church were not friendly to us. Apparently they were dropped from the inner circle when we arrived and we did not know that and could not figure out why some people were so unfriendly. We just wanted to be friends with everyone. We did not seek out a special friendship with the pastor. I think he took advantage of our need for friendship and inclusion and was trying to make the people he did not feel were doing enough jealous. The church closed about 6 months after we and some others left and I have heard that the former pastor is now selling insurance. I think he still believes that we are his enemies and the reason for the problems. People can be so blind to the fact that they cause their own probelms. He would probably still have a church today if he was honest and really believed what he was teaching. I think he really lacked the faith to believe that God would supply the needs of the church and he did not need to do all the dishonest manipulation.

God bless,

Sharon

by: Glen on Jan 9 2008, 08:30 AM

Hi Sharon! Your story reminds me of the first church I pastored in (associate). The Senior pastor is selling insurance, now, too. The church is still in business, near as I can tell, and the regulars are still unfriendly to newcomers. I guess that shows how widespread the problems are.

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