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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
June 2001 |
No one asked me but …
On being appointed, anointed and disappointed
By Bill Schwein
Most congregations don't just want a new pastor to be appointed. They want him/her to be anointed. In case your preacher never explained it to you, "anointed" is translated "messiah" in Hebrew.
It's not that a few clergy suffer from a "messiah complex." Churches encourage us to play that role. The "Lord's anointed" referred to an ideal king of the future. A savior figure endowed with special gifts of wisdom and righteousness. A leader sent from God to triumphantly establish God's kingdom . the Bishop. Churches pray the Bishop will appoint them a "savior" to finally set things right in their little corner of the kingdom, restoring their dying church to its former place of prominence. Or at least recruit somebody to be in charge of Vacation Bible School. They don't necessarily want a Roman oppressor overthrown, just a little help to compete with the fast-growing community church down the street.
In many of the sessions I have had with Staff-Parish Committees, I've asked "What are you looking for in a pastor?" The answer: "We need someone who can miraculously increase attendance at worship, circle meetings, and the Thursday morning Bible Study. An individual who can resurrect the men's group, just like Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead. A person that can appeal to the children, chaperone the youth and pacify the old folks. Somebody to spend more time at the church, but is willing to call on us in our homes during the day. It would be nice to hear a Sunday sermon (delivered without notes) about how God wants us to be happy and not worry. He or she needs to be energetic, enthusiastic, a young but mature pastor, 30-years-old with 40 years of experience. Not to mention healthy, wealthy and wise, trustworthy, loyal, obedient, thrifty, clean, reverent, brave and friendly. Someone who responds to every request, and takes adequate time for personal meditation, and no personal problems. Could he or she bring back the good old days? We need an individual who knows how to reactivate the inactive and reach the unchurched. Someone that will bring in new people, but won't let them change things. Our ideal pastor would teach Sunday school, fry fish, mow the church lawn, tithe, play the guitar and make banners. We want to be fired up; but do it without burning us up or out. A someone that is human, humble, meek and mild, has a sense of humor, down to earth and heavenly-minded. What we really need is a strong spiritual leader who can empower the laity and is willing to lead us to the next level, without expecting anyone to follow. How about the pastor down the street, is he available?"
The best pastors realize they serve a Messiah; they don't try to serve as a messiah. Keep that in mind when you meet and greet your new pastor, or welcome back your old one. Otherwise, after your pastor is appointed, you're likely to be disappointed.
Last updated on 01/14/2004The Rev. Bill Schwein is superintendent of the Indianapolis East District.