Two roads diverged

I recently attended a luncheon meeting of pastors and ministry leaders. They had gathered to enjoy a meal and listen to a couple of youth pastors talk about their jobs and some of the special challenges they encounter in their efforts to connect spiritually with North American young people in this day and age.

The youth workers’ love of the gospel was evident as they spoke in equal measure about the joy of seeing young lives transformed by the love of Jesus, and the struggles of engaging reluctant learners, ungodly culture, unreal expectations and unhelpful leaders.

The most telling insight I drew from this convivial gathering had little to do with the ideas that were expressed; rather, it came from observing how different ministry leaders approached the testimony of the youth workers.

One highly regarded pastor of a high profile congregation was never at a loss for words. With a charisma and presence that exuded confidence, he found things to say, drew on his experience, projected an aura of blessing and bespoke a leader’s understanding of the struggles of ministry.

But there was something disquieting about his remarks, and it was only later I realized that he had utterly failed to engage the speakers’ concerns. I watched their eyes go blank in polite deference while he spoke. Disrobed of its piety, his well-intended and utterly orthodox and sincere little speech was mostly about himself. It had little to offer them.

There was in that audience another pastor, the leader of a relatively obscure congregation who did not presume to speak his own wisdom but asked specific questions about topic at hand, enabling the presenters to share more of their experience and knowledge. They opened up.

This contrast in ministry style of the two pastors illustrates the major cultural transition churches must deal with. The “strong” one will always find a good job in a church where authoritative pastoral presence is welcome, where people expect a pastor to do their thinking for them.

But the emerging generation is less wowed than the boomers and their parents by a pastoral model that anoints one shepherd with so much responsibility for his flock. The real future of ministry effectiveness lies in a way less certain but no less confident; less planned but no less purposeful; less authoritative, but no less authentic. The new way has fewer blazing billboards, but more quiet conversations.