Who’s Your Step Pastor?
May 29, 2009
My friend @willmington posted the following tweets on Twitter one day:
Who’s your step-pastor?
Step-pastor = podcast/tv/blog pastor. He feeds you but does he lead you? He inspired you but does he shepherd you?
Not saying step-pastor is at fault. Just wondering if the new “spiritualists” run to step-pastors to feel good, while escaping authority?
Do Internet campuses/services perpetuate a step-pastor syndrome?
Again not bashing pod/tv/Internet (especially if my pastor is reading
But worth considering- beware being or only following a step pastor.
Other thoughts: In recent conversations I’ve heard very consistently, “Who’s podcasts do you listen to?” or “When I was listening to so and so’s podcast the other day.” Rarely have I heard, “My Sr. Pastor said…”
Who are you following?
Entry Filed under: Blogroll, Leadership, Resources. Tags: Church, itunes, podcast, sr. pastor, step pastor, Twitter.
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1.
Brian Pengelly | May 29, 2009 at 11:27 am
I think this is interesting. Would we make the same distinction about books instead of podcasts? “Don’t quote books to me unless they were written by your Sr. Pastor!” It’s nonsense.
Of further interest is who is step pastoring your pastor….I don’t know how many sermons over the years I have heard pulled directly out of a Bill Hybels, John Piper, or Tony Campolo book (depending on the tastes of the Sr. Pastor).
This seems to be arbitrarily centering out one area of influence. Now respect for authority set over you is an issue to be looked. I have been thinking for years how church discipline and authority work in a society where if you don’t like what your pastor says you can just go down the road to the next church.
I now go to the meeting house and am priviledged to sit under Bruxy Cavey who I believe is one of the most gifted pastors of our generation. And I also listen to half a dozen other podcasts on a regular basis. Were I to quote one of them in no way would it be a disrespect on Bruxy or a sign that I wasn’t under the pastoral leadership of the meeting house.
2.
brian | May 31, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Tim Keller
Mark Driscoll
Matt Chandler
to name a few
3.
Jeff | May 31, 2009 at 7:27 pm
One of the greatest misunderstandings of this generation is “spiritual authority”. It is more than podcast/TV/satellite campuses, etc… Many people don’t understand or accept the spiritual accountability of a local body of Christ and its leadership.
any people have replaced the Bible with spiritual books, many people have replaced the the expression of the body of Christ with a podcast etc…
If those things are used to enhance your spiritual walk and nurture your soul, great. If they are being used to replace your local faith community, not good.
4.
Andrew | October 19, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Just because someone is your Sr Pastor does not mean they are your shepherd. I know of Sr Pastors that don’t have a shepherding bone in their body.
I think the key is finding the pastor that cares about you. He doesn’t have to be your Sr Pastor. He could be ONE of the pastors on staff.
I also think the Word of God is being replaced by “superstar” pastors or communicators. Let’s get back to “this is what Jesus said…”