QUESTION TWO:

Will pastors become talking heads?  

Here’s how four U40 ministers phrased it: 

• Will pastors be able to establish a balance between digital and analog?        

• Will we define “ministry” as posting information on social media or will I make the effort to make personal touches and care for people one-on-one?

• Will pastors be Word and Prayer people or Script and Camera people?

• Will our churches be studios or gathering places?

A U40 minister recently told me of a conversation he had with a believer he had just met. 

“Who’s your pastor?” he asked this follower of Jesus. 

The person named a nationally-known preacher, the pastor of the mega-church this person attended. 

The U40 pastor replied, “No, he’s your preacher; who’s your pastor?”  

His question was met with uncertain silence. 

While having a great preacher to listen to on Sunday is wonderful, it’s not the same thing as having a pastor to walk with you on Monday. Jesus talks about this believer in Matthew 9.36: he’s like a sheep without a shepherd. Jesus mourned all sheep and every sheep in this situation for sheep without shepherds are weak and helpless. This and other texts teach us that God built each of us with a need for a pastor – it’s in our DNA.  And God built pastors with a need for their people – it’s in our DNA. 

During COVID, many pastors did what they had to do to preach the Gospel, connect with their people, continue church ministries, and see to the administrative needs of their churches. Many of them struggled within themselves at the separation they felt from their people. 

Other pastors completely enjoyed going digital. Their hearts raced at the thought of buying the toys of tech and unleashing their personal creativity to create tight programming that pops. Content they can deliver online without the interruption or nuisance of dealing with people. The Chiron at the bottom of the screen says “Pastor John” or “Pastor Jane,” but they’re not pastors. Not in their hearts. Not like Jesus described in John 10.10. Their hearts are not for their people; their hearts are for their programming.  They’re talking heads with ministerial credentials.

Yes, ministry would be a breeze without people. But then it wouldn’t be ministry, would it? It wouldn’t put pastors on hillsides with the sheep on cold, lonely nights, or in pens with them through frightening and isolating pandemics. That’s the ache that God’s people and pastors are feeling right now: it breaks their hearts. Yes, hirelings will always find one excuse or another to flee the sheep  administration, “not my gift,” theology, even producing great digital content. But shepherds lay down their lives for the sheep. That means living with the sheep. At least that’s what Jesus said.

So, Pastor, what about you?  During COVID, are you satisfied to be a face and a voice on a screen, or does your heart yearn to be with your people?  Adapting the words of Dr. Lynn Anderson, do you smell like a recording studio or do you smell like sheep?

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NOTE: Journey Pastoral Coaching exists to provide pastoral coaching to Millennial ministers.

Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.

We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry. 

Now, more than ever, we need your help. 

If you or your church would like to help Millennial ministers in 20 US states and 5 nations build strong for a lifetime in ministry, please click here to contact us by email or to support Journey monthly or with your one-time gift. Thank you.

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“In the early years when I was becoming a pastor, I needed a pastor.” 

 Eugene H. Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir