Ministry News

Does Expansion Mean Losing a Personal Touch?

Details: Tuesday, 22 December 2009 15:37

QUOTE: "I do miss having a pastor at the door shaking hands in the 'check-out line.' But I realize that model of a personal relationship with a particular pastor is probably gone. We're just not looking for that kind of relationship with a pastor anymore. Today it's all about a personal relationship with God, not the culture of a church. And a megachurch or a multisite church can still offer this. If you are there to hear a message and it's a powerful one, it shouldn't matter how it's delivered. ... I know intellectually that this [shift] is needed, and I understand it and I go to church every Sunday even when [my pastor] is not there. But I don't think it will be the same." —Lauren Green, a member of the multisite Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, N.Y., on how her church's expansion to multiple campuses has affected the average congregant's sense of personal connection with senior pastor Tim Keller, who continues to preach in person at each campus [usatoday.com, 12/17/09]

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Comments

0 #7 Carol Castillo 2010-01-31 08:27

Personally I like the personalization from a smaller close church. Too many years I left Church, blessed, to go home to something less then a godly atmosphere. Big churches are wonderful, but we all need to have committment and accountability to someone, and not get lost in the crowd.

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+1 #6 Al Silvestri, III 2009-12-25 14:46

If there is not a personal relationship then the one with the title, though a leader, is not a pastor. Our love for God is made evident in the interpersonal relationships within the body of Christ, hence Jesus said that all will know we are His disciples if we have love for one another, loving one another as He Himself also has loved us.

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-1 #5 snowbird 2009-12-25 08:23

I agree with "First Lady" and fully understand exactly what she is referring to as I've witnessed many failures from behind the pulpit from Pastors being "to" friendly. But I feel this is where the concept is completely blown "out of proportion." I'm from what people are referring to as "old school." Back when pastors visited the sick and prayed demons out of the sinners....I'm sure that I have now trespassed some new 2010 "bylaw" by making that kind of "long forgotten" church procedure statement. I only hope they do not haul me out and "lynch" me now!! Nothing said will cause me to "retract" my statements so just bring the rope!!

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0 #4 First Lady 2009-12-23 09:23

When members have "personal" relationship with their Pastor, it sets the stage for a "common" atmosphere. Yes the Pastor is just a man/woman, however, the way one RECEIVES from a Pastor has has alot to do with how that person is PERCEIVED.. Sometimes, your perception can grow dim and God's hand is still on the Preacher - ONLY GOD has the authority to judge and/or correct a Preacher and Scripture confirms He is very good at his job:-). As a Pastor's wife, I embrace all the members, I encourage all the members and they have access to me YET I am "freindly" BUT I am not there to be their friend/buddy.... First natural then spiritual - we see on CNN all the time teachers that crossed the line with their students..... Yes, some things can not be taught - it must be caught meaning they have access to my life BUT it is for their betterment not entertainment.

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+1 #3 Ormondbell 2009-12-23 00:34

Isn't a Pastor a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and is supposed to be Shepherding the flock of a locality? Since when is he only a Preacher and Administrator. I do miss the personal opportunity to say hello and get to know the pastor. I am not even sure the pastors even know what sheep are in their local flock. How will they even know if they are missing. I am more inclined to go to a Christian friend for Prayer than to call the pastor anymore. Want to know why people don't go to and support a local assembly anymore - it is because of the wounds of attending an assembly staffed by impersonal pastors and leaders, those who don't even know you or care about you, A good repoire with a Pastor does not diminish my personal relationship with Christ in any manner, If we were not meant to have a relationship with our Pastor, they why did NT saints have people like Paul?

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-1 #2 Mikie 2009-12-22 15:04

I don't believe it was ever meant for us to have a personal relationship with a pastor as much as we were to have it with Jesus through his word and Holy Spirit. Shepherding a relationship with believers from pulpit preaching is not my idea of personal relationship building. .

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