Word From the Pew
This is something I've wanted to do for a long time; a letter to preachers and pastors about what it's like to sit in the pew.
1. Study the concept of attention spans in the 21st century. If you can't say it in 20 or 25 minutes, don't say it. This is not the 18th century, and you are not Jonathan Edwards, and this is not New England. I wish we did have longer attention spans, but you are not going to increase them by preaching for 50 minutes. OK, I'll give you 30 minutes, but no more. Now, I will admit, for some people, 50 minute sermons are not too long. But for most people they just are.
2. We don't like interim pastors and looking for new pastors. Don't come to a church you aren't sincerely going to stay at and minister to for a reasonable amount of time. Please don't think of a church as a career move to something bigger. OK, interims can be good; we had two good ones last time around, but they have their limitations. Pastors change churches far too often. And don't lie about why you are leaving.
3. Most people don't come to a church to enhance the pastor's career. I believe strongly that the lay people are to do the work of the ministry and the pastor's job is to equip us. But the work of the ministry is not building a bigger church in attendance and finances so you have a better resume. Why should we build a bigger church? If it's not for the glory of God, if it's not to build a more obedient and missions-oriented body of believers, size is just size so somebody can brag.
4. Don't live better than the bulk of your congregations. Don't live in a 300,000 dollar house when the rest of us are living in 100,000 dollar houses. That's just not right.
5. Remember the operative pronouns are "we" and "us," not "you."
6. Don't preach on giving and money divorced from the whole picture of the Christian life. It comes across as mercenary.
7. Equip us with knowledge, skills, and confidence. Most of the people in the pews are equipped to do the work of the ministry, but for some reason they don't feel as if they are equipped. Why might that be? Sure, it could be lack of faith, but it could also be for other reasons.
8. Don't have favorites in the congregation. By that I mean favorite social classes or age groups. Obviously, everyone is more attracted to some people than others, so it's understandable if you have friends. But don't act like young marrieds are the only real members. There are lots of singles, elderly, and middle-aged in your church.
9. Realize some people in your congregation are as educated--and wise--as you are.
10. Don't get off on doctrinal tangents.
1. Study the concept of attention spans in the 21st century. If you can't say it in 20 or 25 minutes, don't say it. This is not the 18th century, and you are not Jonathan Edwards, and this is not New England. I wish we did have longer attention spans, but you are not going to increase them by preaching for 50 minutes. OK, I'll give you 30 minutes, but no more. Now, I will admit, for some people, 50 minute sermons are not too long. But for most people they just are.
2. We don't like interim pastors and looking for new pastors. Don't come to a church you aren't sincerely going to stay at and minister to for a reasonable amount of time. Please don't think of a church as a career move to something bigger. OK, interims can be good; we had two good ones last time around, but they have their limitations. Pastors change churches far too often. And don't lie about why you are leaving.
3. Most people don't come to a church to enhance the pastor's career. I believe strongly that the lay people are to do the work of the ministry and the pastor's job is to equip us. But the work of the ministry is not building a bigger church in attendance and finances so you have a better resume. Why should we build a bigger church? If it's not for the glory of God, if it's not to build a more obedient and missions-oriented body of believers, size is just size so somebody can brag.
4. Don't live better than the bulk of your congregations. Don't live in a 300,000 dollar house when the rest of us are living in 100,000 dollar houses. That's just not right.
5. Remember the operative pronouns are "we" and "us," not "you."
6. Don't preach on giving and money divorced from the whole picture of the Christian life. It comes across as mercenary.
7. Equip us with knowledge, skills, and confidence. Most of the people in the pews are equipped to do the work of the ministry, but for some reason they don't feel as if they are equipped. Why might that be? Sure, it could be lack of faith, but it could also be for other reasons.
8. Don't have favorites in the congregation. By that I mean favorite social classes or age groups. Obviously, everyone is more attracted to some people than others, so it's understandable if you have friends. But don't act like young marrieds are the only real members. There are lots of singles, elderly, and middle-aged in your church.
9. Realize some people in your congregation are as educated--and wise--as you are.
10. Don't get off on doctrinal tangents.
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