Usually, these churches mean something like a preacher is, of course, one who preaches, preferably based on scriptural texts. A pastor, however, is one who really loves his congregants. By that they mean, he visits a lot in homes and hospitals, he has an open door policy at the office, he has an outgoing personality and is usually found with people, and he is involved in the activities of every age group of the church and many activities and groups in the community. After speaking with dozens and dozens of pulpit committees, most churches are looking for a "pastor" who happens to be a "preacher."

The problem with this understanding of pastor or preacher is that it is NOT the NT model! The NT does not separate these qualities of an elder, but in fact, joins them. Texts like Eph 4:11-12, 1 Thess 5:12-13, 1 Tim 3:2, 5:17, and Titus 1:9 clearly describe the primary role of the pastor IS HIS PREACHING! To be a preacher and to be a pastor, in the NT, is the same role! A pastor is one who gives himself to the Word of God in careful study, precise sermon preparation, and passionate sermon delivery. This is the main conduit for pastoring people! It is through biblical exposition that a pastor encourages, corrects, rebukes, and equips the saints. Preaching is how one primarily serves as a pastor to the sheep!

However, I have been turned down by committee after committee for reasons of not being enough of a "pastor." After I describe my commitment to diligent, time-consuming study and to serving well-thought biblical sermons and placing other "pastoral" duties on a lower level of priority, I am no longer under their consideration as pastor. Recently I was turned down by a committee from Kentucky (headed by a retired pastor!) because I did not express enough commitment for "community involvement." This somehow disqualified me, in their eyes, as a pastor of a "county-seat First Baptist" pastorate. That one really struck me as odd because I don't find "community involvement" in the list of qualifications found in 1 Tim 3 or Titus 1! (BTW-"being well thought of by outsiders" does not require membership in the Lions Club!) The pastor, as I understand from the NT and am wholly committed to, is to be involved in the Word and through the Word, involved in the lives of the people of God.

I'm not blasting these churches or spewing steam, even if it sounds like it. I'm heartbroken over our churches. In Acts 6:2, the apostles say, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables." And that is exactly what many of our churches are requiring of their pastors! How did we get to the place in the SBC where pastors are deacons and deacons are elders!