ARE YOU A PASTOR OR A PUPPET?
By Ken Blue
“…A bishop then must be blameless One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Timothy 3:2-5.
The Pastor must learn to wear many hats. He may not be gifted in all aspects of the ministry, but he must know what is needed and be able to lead gifted men and women into those areas. His call is to vision, oversight, and leadership. Not only must he be able to feed the church of God, he must be able to lead it.
The shepherd leads and directs the flock. He chooses the field or grazing area for it. He corrects, and he seeks those who have gone astray. He must care for the young and the old. The health and safety of the flock rest on his shoulders. Regardless of the condition of the church; the Pastor will be held accountable.
The Pastor should decide who his deacons will be. He sets the teaching and sermon agenda for the year. He chooses who will fill the pulpit when needed. He must see that the music, the announcements, and bulletin information harmonize with the purpose of his sermons. He must raise the money for needed ministry projects, and he will be accountable for how it is dispersed. In other words, the Pastor must lead, feed, and guide the church.
This does not mean that the Pastor makes every decision or that he is lord over the church. It means that someone must take full responsibility for the local church, and God has appointed the Pastor to that position.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Pastor must lead, feed, and guide the church.[/perfectpullquote]
The puppet, on the other hand, is one who is incapable or unwilling to make those decisions. He has strings attached to him, and those pulling the strings make the decisions for him. He is their puppet.
These strings come in many forms. Many times they are attached to the wife, and she gets her wishes done through the Pastor. Others, who may hold the strings, are the deacons, the finance committee, the administrative director, or a few outspoken church members. The strings used by these unruly people come in the form of policies and procedures. Or, they may be a complaint or grievance about a ministry leader or worker, and they push you to deal with it. Their goal is to eliminate that ministry or person, and get your fingerprints on their murder weapon. Don’t fall for it!
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Be a loving, leading Pastor.[/perfectpullquote]
If you are weak, seeking to accommodate those who hold the strings, and assuming you will not be held accountable, you are dead wrong. Be a loving, leading Pastor. You cannot abdicate your duties or responsibilities. Reflect now. Are you the Pastor or the puppet?
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.