Expert: Bruce Gourley - 9/14/2006

Question
Our church is in a turmoil due to trying to change a constitution. Our pastor wants to have the power to evaluate paid church workers on a monthly basis and to dismiss anyone not doing the job. We only have 3 workers and one is his wife. The church voted and defeated this change, but now it is being brought up again. Also, our constitution states that if a person does not attend at least half of the meetings in a six month time frame that he/she is on an inactive list and can not vote on church matters. This is also causing trouble. I am so confused and need guidance. thanks

Answer
Baptists believe in local church autonomy and congregational democracy which, although the best way of doing church in my opinion, does unfortunately create an environment in which authoritarian pastors can potentially "take over" a church if they have enough votes.

Is your pastor right in demanding his way "or the highway?" No; the biblical model of the pastor is one of servant, not dictator.  Furthermore, Baptists have historically believed that the pastor is on the same footing as other church members, spiritually speaking ... one of the teachings of a doctrine that we know as "the priesthood of all believers." A Baptist pastor should never demand his way, in short; he should view himself as a member of his congregation on equal footing with other members, but set aside to preach the word of God and care for the flock (rather than lord over it).

However, dictatorial pastors do happen, and unless enough church members stand up to such a pastor, utilizing the polity/voting rules of the church, the pastor may indeed prevail and split the church wide open.

Now, in light of the above, and if you are asking me for my personal opinion, it sounds to me as if it is time for the members to fire the pastor before he completely ruins the church because of his personal (and ungodly) ambitions.

Bruce Gourley
www.baptistlife.com
www.brucegourley.com