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Sobering insight from Richard Lovelace — 40+ years ago — about the tension so many pastors in the West are experiencing right now:
1/ “Confronted with this kind of violent reaction when they seek to mold their congregations into instruments of evangelism and social healing,
1/ “Confronted with this kind of violent reaction when they seek to mold their congregations into instruments of evangelism and social healing,
2/
...pastors gradually settle down and lose interest in being change agents in the church. An unconscious conspiracy arises between their flesh and that of their congregations.
...pastors gradually settle down and lose interest in being change agents in the church. An unconscious conspiracy arises between their flesh and that of their congregations.
3/
It becomes tacitly understood that the laity will give pastors places of special honour in the exercise of their gifts, if the pastors will agree to leave their congregations pre-Christian lifestyles undisturbed...
It becomes tacitly understood that the laity will give pastors places of special honour in the exercise of their gifts, if the pastors will agree to leave their congregations pre-Christian lifestyles undisturbed...
4/
Pastors are thus permitted to become ministerial superstars. Their pride is fed and their insecurity is pacified even if they are run ragged, and their congregations are permitted to remain herds of sheep in which each has cheerfully turned to his own way.”
Pastors are thus permitted to become ministerial superstars. Their pride is fed and their insecurity is pacified even if they are run ragged, and their congregations are permitted to remain herds of sheep in which each has cheerfully turned to his own way.”
