Pastors Over-estimate the Spirituality of their People

I am frequently opposed to George Barna's proposals but not necessarily the facts he reports. I think Barna is right (barna.org) when he indicates that Pastors tend to over-estimate the spiritual commitment of their people. A recent Barna survey (here) showed that Pastors rate the commitments of their people dramatically (embarrassingly) higher than the people rate themselves.

The root of the misperception comes from the fact that Pastors tend to rate mere church attendance and casual interest as far more spiritually significant than they really are. Pastors as "church leaders" tend to be concerned too much about keeping the "programs of the church" running rather than their real business of shepherding souls. Therefore if people are making the programs look "heathy" they wrongly conclude that the people in them must be spiritually healthy.

This reminds me of issues that have been apparent to and stirring in me for quite some time. Issues that my mentor, the late Dr. Rembert Carter, continually sought to drive into me. Unfortunately it still has not totally sunk in. I hope to keep working on it.

First, pastors must get more deeply involved with people and ask spiritually penetrating questions about their lives and faith. It also should encourage pastors to get into the homes of the people. The ministry of Richard Baxter is a rebuke to us. Baxter visited and personally "catechized" every family in his church every year (and their were literally hundreds of them!). The question is how to make time for such an endeavor. For me this signifies the importance of Wednesday evening prayer meeting when I have the opportunity to pray one on one with individual men in our church. It is much easier to do this when people are willing to be open and when they come to more than one service. Of course this may also be when it is less needed!

Second, home life should be a regular focus of attention of pastors and churches. What people are in their families and family relationships is much more indicative of what they truly are then what they may seem to be on Sunday morning.

Third, pastors need to preach in such a way to not only stimulate interest and agreement, but to, more importantly, bring conviction. The problem is that conviction can be painful, both to the people and the pastor. Hurting people almost always strike back at the one they perceive is causing the hurt. Pastors need the love and the courage to absorb this pain in order to be true doctors of souls.