As the Pastor Goes, so Goes the Church.

As the Pastor Goes, so Goes the Church.

Isaiah 7:9 (NLT)  Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria. And Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. You do not believe me? If you want me to protect you, learn to believe what I say."

This scripture speaks to me.  In some of the more traditional translations this meaning is not quite so clear, yet when I read this in the New Living Translation it jumps off the page at me!  God is speaking here, and at this point in Israel's history Samaria was considered the capital of Israel.  The text tells us that Israel is no stronger than it's capital, and the capital is no stronger than it's king. 

Let's apply this to the church.  I believe that one can say with confidence, "A local church congregation is no stronger than it's leadership, and it's leadership is no stronger than it's pastor.    

Others have stated this truth in various ways, but the simple fact of the matter is that in general, if the pastor stays strong the church stays strong, and if the pastor is weak the church will be weak.  There are many more scriptures to back this principle up, here are just a few (Zech. 13:7, Ez. 34:5, Matt. 15:14, 1 Cor. 11:1). 

How strong is the church I lead?  Are those in the congregation Christ-like, or like the world? Are they strong or weak? 

If a pastor leads with the lack of integrity, the congregation will often develop that lack of integrity.  Sure some will leave the church and go to a place of greater integrity, but many will simply follow the pastors lead.  If a pastor uses inappropriate slang, so will his church.  If a pastor hold to the standards of righteousness, for the most part, the congregation will rise to the occasion and follow righteousness.  Again this is a general principle, there will sometimes be exceptions to the rule but for the most part we get what we teach.

As a pastor, it is my responsibility to lead well.  I am accountable to God for how I live and how I 'teach' the people to live whom I serve (Heb. 13:17).  This is a great responsibility, yet should also be considered a great honor.  With God's call to pastor we are placed under public scrutiny.  Our responsibility as pastors is to live like Christ and lead others in that same path.  If we cannot live the example, then we should remove ourselves from the office until we are able to fulfill our responsibility with integrity, to God and to His people.

Here are a few simple things that Christ did, that a pastor should always strive to imitate: 

   1) He prayed for his followers. (John 17)  He didn't just teach them to pray which is good, but the prayed for them.  They often saw him praying and no doubt knew their names were among the names on his lips in prayer.  Praying for those you lead is a powerful unifying force and in giving of your time in prayer for them is an act of love toward them and the ministry which you both share.

   2) He faithfully lead by example, in prayer time, in fasting, 'church' attendance, in grace to the poor, and even in serving.  Jesus told his disciples, "follow me."  (Luke 9:23, Matt. 10:38)  'Follow' was not simply to go down the road after him, but to imitate him faithfully.  Faithfulness is a dying virtue in American society, and in the church.  Sure everyone is faithful to something, but not necessarily the right things.  Someone has to restore true faithfulness to the church.  As a Christian, it is my responsibility to be faithful to the things of God.  As a Christian leader, it is my responsibility to be the example of faithfulness in every area that Christ was faithful in.  If I will be faithful, I will teach faithfulness. 

   3) He lived completely by faith.  Christ didn't just hope in the things of God.  He completely trusted the Father and by the life he lived it is evident.  Know it, or not, it is evident if you truly live by faith, or just talk faith.  Even in our text we see that God said, "You do not believe me? If you want me to protect you, learn to believe what I say."  If you trust God, live like it!  (Heb. 10:38)

   4) He was filled with, and led by, the Spirit. (Luke 4:1, John 1:32, John 3:34-35)  We can only accomplish the will of God if we operate in the Spirit of God.  Whatever we do in our own power may fail, but whatever we do under the anointing of the Holy Spirit will accomplish the purpose of God.  We, like Christ, must be filled with the Spirit, and be led by the Spirit.  All other activity may be wasted effort.

As a pastor I have to give account for my leadership, so I had better do my best to lead like Christ. 

How strong is the church I pastor?  Look at it's leaders.  How strong are our leaders?  Look in the mirror pastor.  If I don't like where we are as a church, I must look at me first.  If there are issues in my life I must deal with them.  If there are issues in the people I am called to serve, I must have the boldness to deal with them also.  If I don't it reflects on me...  "As the pastor goes, so goes the church."