Shepherd or Hireling?

[lytesource]

Here's an article I posted on my website a few months ago. The Names have been changed for usual reasons. I have not been able to shake the thought that this is going on, and that it is happening to the 'best of them'. I hope the check list is useful.

A few weeks ago I found myself reading a newsletter article, "The Next Big Thing," several times. Yikes! Did I understand correctly that this article was written by a successful worship leader in a thriving church? I went to his web site and looked for confirmation. I checked out the blog ... did I read it right?....did he really say, "I'm so impressed with The Next Big Thing I've decided to join them?" I wanted to believe he was quoting someone else.

I was floored! My first response to this statement was, "WHAT?... What about his fellowship? What about his ministry there? Where is the leading of God's Spirit?" Then after I settled down I reasoned, "maybe this worship leader prayed about it and the Lord led him to join the new church." But, he didn't mention any prayer in the article. He didn't mention the Lord at all. His words were specific, he was "so impressed with TNBT" that he "decided to join them."

After much prayer I wrote him a long email discussing the implications of his actions. I asked him to stop, count the cost and reconsider his actions and the impact they will have on others.

I received a response a few days later and he explained to me that he had “jumped ship,” and left his church and position as worship ministry director because “a certain elder came on board 8 months ago.... There's an evil elder in every church” and that, “This rich, influential elder just was not happy about the music, probably because [he] wouldn't allow his wife to sing on the praise team : )”

Being lead to go to a new church is obviously not the point here. I'm sure they are doing a great work. But to leave your post because you are impressed by another church, that just isn't scriptural. And to leave your post because a certain elder is making things difficult for you, well, that seems to me to indicate that you are a hireling.

Jesus said, "... The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hireling is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.” John 10:11-13 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn010.html#11)

Below is a check list that should help keep you from temptation to ‘Jump Ship’.

1.) Ask yourself, “Why am I a worship leader? What are my motives?”
(Is being a worship leader a result of a work of the Spirit or the flesh?)

2.) Has God called me to serve as the worship pastor, leader or director here where I am now?
(This is an awesome calling. I don't use the word awesome lightly here. Like it was cool to be a director of worship in a church.)

3.) Am in awe of the God I serve that He would choose me to serve Him where I am?
(The thought of it should bring us to our knees.)

4.) Do I arrive on a Sunday morning to lead worship and just tremble at the thought that God picked me for the job?

5.) Is God leading me to another minstry or church? Did I even ask Him for direction? Did I wait for the answer willing to give up my will for His.
(If you were given the position at your fellowship have you heard from the Lord otherwise? If you have not been directed by the Lord to go to another fellowship, then perhaps your are telling the Lord that what He has ordained for you where you are doesn't impress you.)

6.) Does this other ministry or church really need me more than where I serve today?
(Are you enticed to leave your fellowship because there is something bigger or better in it for you elsewhere.)

7.) What hole will I leave?
(Has there been someone specifically discipled to replace you that is led by the Lord and filled with His Spirit. Someone willing to count the cost and love the sheep?)

8.) What affect will this have on the sheep?
(How many sheep will get the idea that they can just 'hop on over' to that other church with the greener grass. How many sheep that stay will feel abandoned and need to be reassured, left confused and hurt by your actions?)

9.) Will my actions bless or grieve my pastor and leadership?

Be careful because your enemy, who employed deception at the very first in the Garden, seeks to deceive all God's children. I write to you to warn you not to abandoned your post to join the "Next Big Thing" just because you are impressed. Don't abandon your post when you find things have become difficult where your are. It would be a shame if what the sheep in your fellowship remember is that a worshipleader was impressed more with the "Next Big Thing" than with God. Or, that the worshipleader jumped ship when the waves got too high for him. That's just not the heart of a worshipleader. That’s the heart of a hireling.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

Please comment and let me now if you or someone you know has been affected by these kind of actions. And, if this article was helpful.

[shepaints]

i have about 5 people in my current church in various positions that i would love to show this post to. but you know what would happen. they are very unhappy with our current pastor and even though he has informed us that he will be leaving and the search has begun for his successor they are so unhappy they refuse to attend worship and preaching under him. the majority of the congregation love him and he has done us no harm. in fact he drug us out of the pit of despair after our previous pastor left us in turmoil and anger. they also are looking ofr greener grass or some more to their personal taste. this comes up every time something happens in our church they are unhappy with. their positions vary from sunday school teachers, to musicians, to childrens ministries coordinator. every one of thses postions could be filled by others but they refuse to give up ther power base...so they spread dischord and apathy to their class members etc. and generally do us great harm. some of the questions in your post would certainly be eye openers for them i suspect! some of them were for me. thanks for helping me take agood look at myself and vow to do better.

[lytesource]

I'm sorry to hear of the discord in your church and that the pastor is leaving. That is never easy even without discord. On the other hand, in Christ, it may be that in all of this there will be some good come of it. I'm blessed to hear that you were ministered to by the questions. Perhaps as you surrender your heart to the Lord, He will use you indirectly through the changes He will bring about in you. Your heart and passion for the will of the Lord concerning the sheep in your fellowship is good ground for the Word and the work of the Spirit. Pray for those in opposition and love the sheep!

Praying for you and your fellowship.
Cosima

[MarkSooy]

I have several observations about the items posted here, as follows:

First, please take no offense at this, but the Baby-boomer led church (in general) of the late 20th and early 21st Centuries has these issues in epidemic proportions. Many Pastors (now aged approx. 43 to 63) look at the supposed "success" of others and are envious. Success has been mislabeled as "bigger, better and more entertaining" rather than "deeper and more Christ-like." In my experience, and those of many I've counseled on these things, church leaders do very wierd things as a result of misplaced values and goals. I do not want to lump all Baby-boomers together, just noticing a general trend. This turmoil is often the result of the differences between the Baby-boomer and the GenXers and their particular views of life (worldview).

Second, these issues also speak to a lack of training and pastoral understanding. I don't mean to harp on this, yet many worship leaders (and other ministry staff) serve without the benefit of pastoral training. Although a sensitive spirit and willingness to serve are necessary, there are many things that one must learn in a close mentorship with a pastoral leader, as well as in classes that help with pastoral counseling, biblical pastoral care, and in general what it actually means to be a pastor.

Third, people are people. The "next big thing" is attractive because it's entertaining. This is the epitome of what our American culture is about, and since our culture affects the church more than the church affects the culture, it is no wonder that church leaders act the way they do.

On the brighter side, there are many of us who recognize these things and are working to train our children and the next generation of leaders to think and act more clearly and biblically.

[twc_admin]

Great article and word ... thanks for sharing it. I left my position of over 11 years at the end of 2006, and I can assure you that much, much prayer, fasting, and seeking went into the decision. It's imperative that we hear from God when He may be "moving" or "placing" His servants in various roles across the Body of Christ. That checklist is a good one to keep hold of.

[tony c]

I just recently left the church where I was the worship leader for 14 years. Talk about something that wasn't easy! Before I left, I wanted to make sure that this was from the Lord, and not from me. I prayed about it, and the Lord told me it was time to go. A couple of days later, I decided I wanted confirmation, so I prayed again. Once again, the Lord told me it was time to go. A few days later, I decided that I needed yet MORE confirmation, so I prayed about it again. The Lord shot back with, "What's the matter, didn't you believe me the first two times?" The Lord DOES have a sense of humor!

I think I kept going back for confirmation for many of the reasons mentioned in your note, Cosima. I love the people in my old church and I love the members of my old worship team. Of course I wanted to leave with as little impact on the flock as possible, but you know what? That's almost impossible. Any time someone in a position of leadership leaves, there is a void to fill, and prayerfully, the void is very short term. And I believe that's true even if someone has been trained specifically to take on that role. There are always differences in leadership styles that take a bit of time to get used to. I was blessed with a woman on my team who still sings professionally, who took on the role as worship leader. I had been working with her over a couple of years, training her to be a worship leader, and she would lead whenever I was away. So, thank God, the void was short term.

So, over a period of a couple of weeks, I went from worship leader to part-time substitute musician, and I know it's the right thing for me right now, because I was obedient to what the Lord desired.

Cosima, your article is wonderful, and it should be MUST reading for anyone in ministry, regardless of whether they lead worship or are heads of ushers.

Blessings

[Klampert]

Nice article. Yeah there are a bunch just looking for the next dog and pony show. this is sad. but the reality is it comes down to our true understanding of "church" . Why are we there? Who are we there for? if the answer is us then we need to reevaluate.

[lytesource]

Thanks for the posts from all you. I'm relieved to know that there are still some servants out there that understand the cost of descipleship and the meaning of commitment.

May the Lord bless your hearts of true surrender to Him.

[El Ben]

To quote a tired old cliche:

"The grass might be greener on the other side, but it still needs mowing."

[Klampert]

You know the other day I had a wendy's drive thru person really tick me off..they were rude and annoying and .....arg...
But I will still go back to wendys

Too many times people write off their church because of being offended or not getting what they want...

I find it interesting that in most instances in life where this happens we still go back to where that happened...except in the case of church. the moment something happens that we don't like we bail..

I think it is time that church gets redefined to what it was originally defined for...

It is a house of worship...worship for our King...not a filling station for us...thats just a byproduct

[tony c]

If I decided to leave my church every time I disagreed with something the pastor said or did or got offended by something somebody said, I'd be on my umpteenth church by now. It's OK to have healthy debate. As my current pastor says, "You and I can disagree on minor points, but I'll die for the non-negotiables in the gospel". Some things are not for debate.

Committment means getting up every Sunday morning at 5:00am, to pray and make sure that everything is set properly for the worship team for when they arrive, regardless of whether you got in the night before @ 9:00pm or @3:00am. Committment means working with the relatively unskilled musician on chords when he's a worshipper and WANTS to learn. Committment means taking the time to find the time in your schedule to work with the sound guys to make things better. Committment is "Lord, lead me on".