I Wish I Had a Pastor Like …

Driscoll, Dever, McDonald, Chandler, Piper, Viars, or ___________(fill in the blank). Have you ever found yourself wishing for a pastor that was different than the one you had? Maybe your pastor does not communicate as well as __________ (fill in the blank). Maybe your pastor doesn’t emphasize __________ as much as ___________ does.

With Great Privilege Comes Great…Idolatry?

The internet has brought into our pockets the ability to read, see, and hear God’s amazing gifts to his church—a variety of equipping men with a diversity of gifts. I have seen over the course of ministry that people start worshiping God’s gifts instead of the giver of the gift. I have seen people also put me on a pedestal or put me in the ditch. Whether it be a manifestation of Piperolatry , or Driscollmania, or Chandleritus, Christian individuals boast in men just like the world engages in celebrity or athlete worship.

Boasting in men quickly invites a comparison made among those ministering to you. The comparison creates a benchmark by which certain people are exalted and others are lowered in your mind. If a man is exalted in your mind, he is the one you will follow and listen to. If a man is lowered in your mind, most of what he says is dismissed. And your own pastor? If your pastor is the one lowered, discontentment, grumbling, and division soon follow-“I wish I had a pastor like _________.” Soon you are in the exact situation Paul spoke about in I Cor 1-4–“I’m of McDonald.” “I’m of Viars.”

Overcoming the Worship of Men

The solution for boasting is men is given also in I Corinthians:

  1. Recognize that the men are simply tools in God’s hand. Paul says, “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God is the one causing the growth.” – 1 Cor 3:7
  2. Make appropriate judgments about the leaders over you. Simply put, you ARE allowed to make judgments but only based upon two criteria—Are the men over you 1) hard working servants and 2) faithful stewards of God’s Word. Paul says, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” -1 Cor 4:1-2.

Be on your guard for the “grass is greener and the sermons are sweeter” over at ______________’s church.

I’d love to hear your comments about the dangers of “boasting in men” and what it breeds.

Check out this video regarding pastors manifesting their differing gifts.

Brent Aucoin
Pastor Brent Aucoin serves as the Pastor of Seminary and Counseling Ministries at Faith Church. He is the president of Faith Bible Seminary, and is a counselor and instructor for Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries.