Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 12/31/2008

Question
Dr Shultz,

Based on I Peter 2:18-24, is it against biblical principle to dismiss a pastor due to his poor leadership and attitude problem? How should the church members respond to a difficult pastor? Should they just wait for God's move?

Thanks and Happy New Year.

Eddie

Answer
Well, I am not sure if you are applying Peter to the pastor or the Church.  Applied to the pastor because he is about to be booted for his issues or the Church because they called him.  ;-)

Poor leadership and attitude issues can be rather subjective.  Just because a church is not growing it does not mean that pastor is a poor leader or the flock poor followers.  Attitudes also may be a cultural thing.  Many a man that has come to the South has been accused of attitude problems because of his demeanor or tone whereas up North it was normal fare.  A Southern boy heading up North may be accused of lack of ambition or other things because his mode is more laid back than the average person in that area.  

Thus two things need to be done.  First, a formal list of concrete grievances should be prayerfully compiled.  If there is more than one unsatisfied person than a collaborative effort on the list would be reasonable.   Secondly, in the spirit of Matthew 18, one person should speak to the pastor and entreat him, not attack or interrogate him while presenting the list.  (1 Tim 5:1) He may be unaware of his “problems” and they may stem from issues that you do not know about such as an illness he did not want to reveal, other issues in the church or an Absalom or some other horned toad in the church causing grief that he is trying to deal with alone rather than causing a stink in the Church.
 
If he graciously receives it then you have redeemed your brother and pastor in love.  If he rejects it out of hand or goes into the “touch not God’s anointed” or “don’t go up against God’s man” mode then you will need to move to the second phase of Matt 18 and take one or two others with you.  Hopefully then, if he felt it was a personal attack by the one he will then see that others share the same view and consider what you are saying.  Again, this should be a redemptive meeting, not a get your act together or your out of her Mafia style meeting.  If he still rejects the issue out of hand then you have to weigh whether or not the issues justify a special session before the church.  

If he will not hear the church, if indeed the majority of the church is in agreement with the list, then a call can then be made for a vote to remove the pastor.   Hopefully, he will hear the church and you will redeem him and keep a pastor.  Good men are hard to find so if you have one you can exhort and heal it will be better than trying to find another one.

Normally, a pastor should not be removed unless there is heresy or grievous sin involved.  I doubt that there is a man alive that fulfills the list in 1 Tim 3 perfectly.  All men have their weaknesses and idiosyncrasies.  1 Tim 5:19, 20 allow for a pastor to be challenged but it needs to be done properly and the verses indicate it usually involves a sin of some sort.  If his behavior is bringing reproach upon the church or wounding the flock unnecessarily then it needed to be dealt with for the sake of the pastor as well as the church.  Again, it is all to be done in a redemptive attitude.  Christ bought and called that pastor and His gifts and callings are without repentance.  He deserves to be treated with the same mercy and grace as you would want for you or a loved should someone have to approach you or them for a fault.  You must go in the spirit of Gal 6:1-6 or you will be in as much sin or error as the pastor.

May God grant your pastor and your congregation great wisdom and grace as you handle this.  May he be glorified through the whole process so that you can all have a blessed New Year!