Yesterday between our assemblies, because my lungs were holding half the dust of West Texas and my voice was threatening to go on strike after just a few more deep, painful coughs, I got a nice big steroid shot.
I’m feeling better. And wired!!!
It’s after 3:00 AM and my body hasn’t even considered the possibility of sleep.
But it’s been such a blessing. I’ve been up, it’s quiet, and I’m not tired. Plus, for some reason my creative juices have been flowing as I’ve read thoughtfully and prayerfully.
After a couple weeks of travel, writing articles and a foreword, teaching, and preaching, this has been so restorative (until I crash at noon!). I just went and pulled out a passage from Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis that connected with me when I first read it. He’s just told about how he nearly crashed and burned when, at the age of 28, he planted a church that grew so quickly. He tried to be all things for all people — superpastor! — even in those areas that depleted him quickly.
“I had this person I knew I was made to be, yet it was mixed in with all of these other . . . people. As the lights were turned on, I saw I had all of this guilt and shame because I wasn’t measuring up to the image of the perfect person I had in my head. I had this idea of a superpastor — all of these messages I had been sent over the years that I had received and internalized.
“Superpastor is always available to everyone and accomplishes great things but always has time to stop and talk and never misses anyone’s birthday and if you are sick he’s at the hospital and you can call him at home whenever you need advice and he loves meetings and spends hours studying and praying and yet you can interrupt him if you need something — did I mention he always put his family first?
“Now you are starting to see some of my issues.
“I am not superpastor.
“I don’t do well in an office nine to five.
“I jump out of my skin if I am in meetings too long.
“I am institutionally challenged.
“But I am not defined by what I am not. And understanding this truth is a huge part of becoming whole. I had to stop living in reaction and start letting a vision for what lies ahead pull me forward.
“I began to sort out with those around me what God did make me to do. What kept coming up was that my life work is fundamentally creative in nature. And creating has its own rhythms, its own pace. Inspiration comes at strange times when you create. And inspiration comes because of discipline. And discipline comes when you organize your life in specific, intentional ways. It means saying yes to certain things and no to other things. And then sticking to it.
“I had this false sense of guilt and subsequent shame because I believed deep down that I wasn’t working ahrd enough. And I believed the not-working-hard-enough lie because I didn’t function like superpastor, who isn’t real anyway.
“So I had one choice — I had to kill superpastor.”
STM that “killing superpastor” - a great idea, not just for the pastor in question, but also for “his” flock - ought to begin with, or at least involve, laying down the rather intoxicating notion of a “head guy” at all in the local body. Maybe I’m just tilting at windmills, but when one guy fancies himself the do-it-all pastor, the rest of the folks can’t help but atrophy because they are not being used to the full. Where did we get the idea that we’ve got to have one guy serving as the go-to, the public face, the CEO and all the rest?
qb
Let him die, Mike. Be who God made you to be but pace yourself. Jesus did. God rested. Moses took a few years off to climb mountains. Paul spent years in prison (though I don’t recommend that one).
Keep balance. Stay healthy. Take care of yourself and your family. We want you around for a long time! Family and personal growth are part of mission too!
Be careful! Let superpastor die. Be Mike.
I’m writing a sequel to that guy’s book. It’s called Killing SuperMom.
Seriously, though, thanks for sharing that passage. It is completely applicable to me in my role as a mom.
Reminds me of a story that makes me chuckle. I was commiserating with the gal who cuts my hair about trying to be all things to all people in our respective businesses - impossible to do. She said this - and I can relate — “my little old ladies who come in for their weekly hairdo always say..’Hon - you’ve been workin’ to hard. As soon as you finish my hair next week you need to take a couple of days off’..”
Unfortunately in this day of super-church and absentee discipleship — superpastor is a requirement in the mix.
It’s my experience that people (including myself sometimes) who think (or act) as if they are “Super Heroes” are poised to leap OFF tall buildings in a single bound, either literally or figuratively. Sometimes the damage is the same: broken or bruised bodies and relationships with those most important to them. Instead of being “Super Heroes” they are really “Super Egos”.
I began to sort out with those around me what God did make me to do.
That right there is a good lesson all by itself!
Jana, I’ll buy that book!
As for superpastor, it saddens me that churches would expect that out of one man anyway. The person Rob Bell describes makes me tired just thinking about all that he does! What kind of model would superpastor set for those of us struggling with our own supermom, superwhatever issues? Maybe that’s exactly the reason - because pastors struggle with the same thing we all struggle with. We’re all the same really, and it’s a challenge to just be real and vulnerable and forget someone’s birthday every now and then.
Excellent post! Isn’t it interesting the way members of your congregation can sometimes pressure you towards this without necessarily realizing it? One day a guy will be shaking your hand on the way out the door and tell you a story about one of his favorite preachers who studied Greek for 2 hours a day and Hebrew for 2 hours a day, and at least 15 hours on each sermon and class every week. Then the next week the same guy comes up to tell you about a different preacher hero of his who visited at least two different shut-ins every day and held four to five personal Bible studies a week. And you’re left thinking, “And you expect me to do ALL of this?”
You’re exactly right…we just can’t do everything. Nor should we. Learning to say “No” is not any easy thing for us sometimes.
So steroids are behind all those homeruns you’ve been hitting from the pulpit. Wait ’til Nancy Grace gets a hold of this story.
“Here I come to save the day!”
Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought a pastor was the same as an elder–one who shepherds the flock. Is not the minister just an employee– under the oversight of the elders? Where did all this pastor business come in to describe the preacher?
Don’t we ALL struggle a little bit with the ‘I’m not good enough’ syndrome? At least the Cards should be thinking that today. Go Cubbies!!!!!! This is OUR year!
A couple of helpful articles on Super Pastor.
http://superpastor.notlong.com
http://SuperPastor2.notlong.com
Also, check out this video. I think it was an intro to a sermon series. Be sure and watch it to the end to see the real Super Pastor.
http://SuperPastorVideo.notlong.com
Mike, surely you can get some of your video savy people to feature you in such a production.
Peace.
It’s a sad commentary on American church life, that we have so internalized the “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” mentality that we:
1. Can’t risk asking for help;
2. Believe we actually SHOULD be able to do it all; and
3. Somehow associate our salvation with how much we do?
4. Expect our preachers, paid church staff, and elders to do all of the above?
It is by grace that (we) have been saved, and that not of ourselves, it is the GIFT of God. Whew, that’s really a good thing!!
Loved every minute of “Velvet Elvis.”
I don’t like superpaster either, but I’m a pacifist- what to do?…..
Mike, I believe it was during the interregnum at Highland between Lynn Anderson’s watch and you being led there, that the elders asked us all to feel in a questionnaire of who our ideal ‘preacher’ would be. For the early ‘90’s this ‘questionnaire’ was a refreshing, insightful, and slightly condemning concept for congregants to ponder.
When the elders and the search committee received all those forms back and tallied up the responses, they announced that we had all agreed to hire Jesus Christ for the pulpit job.
I suppose in a lot of people’s minds, you’re the next best thing. But that is still certainly a weighty millstone to have to contend with, especially when you and other people are allowed to place it on your neck, and not God. Take it off immediately! You will still be loved and admired by many.
And get some rest …
You beat me to it Beaner…….Mike, this is very compelling thougths you put together for us all to ponder, but I am thinking that another reason for the lack of sleep was thinking about Michael Barrett’a homerun last night……0-lifetime against Isringhausen….bases loaded……BANG!!!!!! Grand slam. Cubs sweep the Cards for the first time in 5 years. Life was very sweet last night. Since we may not be able to say much late in the season, we’re going to enjoy this brief moment of bliss now!! Go Cubs!!
It is hard to remember that “No” is a Biblical word.
In my short ministry, which has been intertwined with graduate work, I have attempted to implement different ways of observing a Sabbath. Let me just say that I am still trying to implement these practices.
Blessings to all today.
Burn the candle at both ends results in burning bright but burning out–have had to repent of that wicker sin! Have had to learn discipleship is not devloped by burping folks and making them dependent upon me instead of dependent upon Lord. Unfortunate that pastoral/preacher roles is one of many areas discussed in business meetings that had no business meeting; worded pointedly, work of the preacher has indeed been one area where elders have had a lot of oversight!
(Monday morning comin down–I now feel better.)
I wonder how we would respond to Jesus being a pulpit minister. I wonder if we would be disappointed, thinking he was just too harsh, or accepting of the “wrong type of people.” Perhaps he would run off the people that we would want to attract.
And what about Jesus. What would he actually do? Would he want to heal everyone? Or would he let some go un-healed? Would he try to minister to everyone? Would he try to be a “super pastor?” I wonder…
Loved Velvet Elvis! Quoted Bell in my sermon yesterday talking about the legal-transaction view of salvation vs. the “living in the wolrd tyo come”, living in harmony with God view. The Superpastor problem is a big one. I learned during my years as a therapist to “turn off the switch”, like a light-switch when going home, leaving my office. You have to; then you are able to be Dad, husband, just you!
Joel, good questions.
“And what about Jesus. What would he actually do? Would he want to heal everyone? Or would he let some go un-healed? Would he try to minister to everyone? Would he try to be a “super pastor?” I wonder…”
Actually we know what He did. He imparted certain gifts to His disciples/apostles - He did heal many, we don’t know how many He did not heal, but we know He didn’t do it all alone, He invited others to work with Him in healing, casting out demons etc.
As a daughter of a ’super pastor’ let me tell you, it really takes a toll on the family. Many times will destroy an otherwise healthy marriage, and often builds distance between kids and dad.
Super pastors also empower a congregation to place the whole family on a high plane that kids and wives simply cannot nor should have to live up to - the “you are the preacher’s kid, you know better than that” - or “you as the preacher’s daughter/son have to be the role model for others.” Oh yeah!! Humpf. Nope!
God knew this was not the wiser way to have His church function so He set down what He wanted us to look for in leaders - Elders, not pastors.
For the health of everyone in the congregations and in the lives and families of pastor/teacher/preachers, we’d do well to look again at God’s leadership model. At least imho.
Elders. presbyters, ovwrseers, shepherds, and PASTORS, all refer to the same office. The preacher is not any of these unless he happens, in some cases, to be an elder.
does this mean you support steroid use in baseball?
Chris,
What is a pastor/teacher?
Mike, not to nitpick on your sermons, but if ever there was a word to pronounce all the way through, without pause, especially in this current context, it would have to be the word “culture.”
Am I the only one whose ears pricked up when Mike uttered that line yesterday: “Who in this cult…..(cough) culture would want to do that?”
I’ve been trying to kill SuperMom (SuperWife, SuperFriend, SuperWhatever) for years to no avail. On those days of clarity when I get a leg up on Supermom, I tend to replace my guilt over daily ruining my children with the guilt of wasting my energy trying to be SuperMom in the first place. I….am an idiot. However….there’s hope yet. Those days of clarity are occuring more often the older I get & the guilt of wasting energy lessens with the lessening of actual energy. Thank you, God (and I never thought I’d say this)….for aging. I have a sneaking suspicion that “Supers” die young if you simply ignore them.
David, I’m not Chris, but there are those that believe Ephesians 4:10-14 talks of 4 gifts, not 5 -pastor/teachers is considered one gift, not two.
The Message translates this passage that way.
Ephesians 4:10-15 (The Message)
10And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, 11filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher 12to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, 13until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
David,
One requirment of a pastor (elder) is that he is able to teach.
I TIMOTHY 3:2
So glad some of you are applying this to other situations — like being a mom of young children!
We all need to have someone remind us that we’ve not been appointed VP of the Universe.
Greg - You’re not the first to tell me that. I didn’t know it happened, but I was both sick and high on steroids. The Danleys said they had a good chuckle out of it, though.
Chris - I am using the word Bell used. I understand that “pastor” seems usually to fit with elders. However, it’s not quite as shut and closed as I was taught. (I also don’t think there’s a lot at stake in the discussion.) I’ve been surprised to learn that most of the ministers I’m meeting in Christian Churches call themselves pastor or senior pastor. The word I use to describe my role is minister . . . or sometimes we “outsiders” senior minister or even, at times when there seems to be a language barrier and it isn’t time to go into all the nuances, senior pastor. I’m not an elder of the church, but I certainly serve in a shepherding role (as, of course, do others).
Are Beaner, Paul W and I the only Cubs fans out here? Takin’ down the Cards…wooooohooooo! Cubs goin’ to da Series!
Here’s the double whammy … many “Superpastors” work for a salary less than what his typical member makes, does not have a church-sponsored retirement savings plan, and are “given” a parsonage, so they do not even build equity in a home. What a disgraceful way to treat these servants of God.
If the average family in your church makes $70k and has a dollar match on the 401k, you should be paying your minister the same or more. No, he may be too humble to ask for it, but he deserves it.
The Dove dark chocolate candy I just unwrapped has a saying inside.
And I quote:
“You’re allowed to do nothing.”
I’m going to try that for the next hour.
You are all invited.
Now that’s counter-cult-cultural.
(Don’t feel bad, Mike; at 3:45 am there was a standoff in my back yard: two deer against two raccoons at the bird feeder. Who can sleep with Smack Down going on right outside the window?)
Raccoons 1, Deer 0, by the way.
SuperPastor must die!!!
Sometimes Superpastor is not doing so for ego. They are trying to be servants like Jesus, but may be a little off. Remember JOY? Jesus first, others second, and ourselves last. I lived by that mantra for so long that I neglected (and still do) self-health. Your book recommendation of a couple of months ago, The Emotionally Healthy Church, has been of great value in realizing that. Thanks!
A new superhero for churches of the future:
It’s… SLACKER PASTOR!
Able to “work at home” three days a week
Able to plan “spiritual renewal” retreats in Vegas
Able to fast daily — from midnight to 6 a.m.
It’s an unreturned phone call! It’s a dark office in the middle of the day!
It’s… SLACKER PASTOR!
Craig, I stick by my assessment that all “Supers” are ego-driven at the core. When we are focusing on being “supers”, our focus is not on God but on ourselves and our own importance or our own way in whatever the plan is (home, church, etc). This is coming from an avowed recovering “super-everything” and it took decades for me to see that selfishness was at that core. Also, taking care of oneself is not the same as denying our own selfish desires. We must do the former (spiritually, physically, emotionally, psychologically) in order to be a viable servant. The latter is what the “ourselves last” is referring to. The book you refer to sounds good. Who is the author?
Praise God!!! Death to the Super Pastor!! I love this post…
Terry Rush, at a Tulsa International Soul Winning Conference, preached a super sermon on resting being a Biblical concept. He helped us see we don’t have to do everything that is available to do as members of the Lord’s body. In fact, we are called to rest, he said, and he had us chuckling at all the examples of what we don’t HAVE to do. One I remember is, “The preacher’s wife does NOT have to attend every baby shower”.
I believe if you spread yourself too thin, you can’t be your best in anything you do.
I’m amazed at what you do, Mike. I can’t fathom being able to be in all the places you are and do all the things you do. You are definitely kin to the Energizer Bunny.
I hope you decide to take at least one day every week to do nothing. Jesus promised rest for the weary.
Kate
so..Sam has a bone scan in the morning and I am scared to death..
Beverly:
You don’t know me, nor I you, but I have a 15 year old and a 17 yr. old. You and Sam will be in my prayers.
Lord,
Be near Sam and Beverly and their entire family during this terrifying time. Give them peace and strength and faith and good results from these tests. Hold them close and don’t let go. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on this family. Amen
Mike, I loved your cult comment. It gave our family a chance to laugh about that word and they confusion and pain that it has caused recently. As soon as the word was out of your mouth, Mary Kate and Tim leaned forward and looked at me and we laughed for several minutes. You were standing right in front of us while we were laughing and I was afraid that would hurt your feelings. We just kept shaking for several minutes. You know that kind of laughing that you can’t look at each other or you will lose control.
I was reminded on Sunday that Jerry Seinfeld once said when he was a kid becoming a superhero was an option. I think the key here is the part about when he was a kid. Then he grew up. Reality set in. Once we realize we’re not God and He is, it sure releases a lot of stress and pressure. There is a God and it’s not me. Thank God!!
Thank you Greg and Neal, I know that was random, but it was late and the house was quiet and I just needed to blurt that out. How sweet that you would respond so quickly..
http://dkizer.blogspot.com/2006/04/price-of-unity.html
What would be an appropriate Biblical metaphor for a preacher in the Church of Christ (ni), besides pastor?
I know this is an old thread, but I’m wondering from a different perspective… I’m a 36 year old single female church member about to leave my church. Why? Because I LOVE to give of my gifts (to whom much is given, much is requred) but our pastor stands directly in the way. It appears to be ego… he drives out anyone who doesn’t do things EXACTLY HIS way. I’ve been driven away from landscape team ministry (he didn’t like how I trimmed the roses for winter), worship team ministry, decorating in the fellowship hall, photography and video services, and as of this Saturday morning, teaching as a sunday school teacher. The only reason I’ve remained this long is that I felt God called me to this church…. the pastor didn’t.
By this man I can do NOTHING right. This pastor is determined to be SuperPastor… he obviously must do everything because his congregation is too unskilled to entrust any work to. His favorite quote is “Blessed are the flexible” which we’ve all come to learn means “you better be flexible because MY WAY is the only way I will tolerate it being done.”
So I wonder how many pastors are out there thinking, “If I don’t do everything, noone will,” or “noone will do it well enough.” Meanwhile, their congregations are thinking, “will he ever allow us to do anything?”
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