The Passive Pastor

On Sunday Pastor J.D. rock-n-rolled with the Cannonball series.  One of the key points to the message was the truth of Acts 1:8, where Jesus told the disciples that the kingdom of God would not come passively, but actively as they preached the gospel through the indwelling and influence of the Holy Spirit.

Sunday night in my small group, we talked about what this looks like personally.  (Spence’s awesome discussion guide sparked the conversation…holla!)  It was a defining moment of sorts for me, as I realized that I often get my role of pastor and Christian confused.

Here’s what I mean: as a pastor, it doesn’t take much to be involved in the kingdom of God.  All I have to do as a pastor at the Summit is answer my phone, open my inbox, or walk to the front lobby at just the right time, and there is more ministry than I can shake a stick at.  Sometimes the ministry opportunities are overwhelming, and I have to either be very selective or very invisible to keep from dealing with them all.

That almost makes me sound spiritual.  I mean, what pastor wouldn’t want ample ministry opportunities, ever-changing scenarios, and chances to see lives changed?

But even pastors have to be aware that when you allow ministry to only come to you, you’re taking a passive approach to the kingdom of God.  You’re actually borderline lazy.  After all, ministry is your job, you sorry sack of seminary knowledge.

This is where the blurring of the lines comes in.  It might even be okay for me to be passive as a pastor.  Again, I can minister all day long without even seeking to do so.  It just happens.  But as a Christian, my life cannot reflect passivity…it must reflect activity.  When I go home…when I’m at Target…when I meet someone in the line at Starbucks…am I too content to remove the pastor hat, because after all, I’ve been ministering all day?  Or am I actively pursuing what God is lining up for my off hours?

Interjecting myself into the kingdom of God is my job as a pastor.  But as a Christian, it’s my responsibility and my opportunity.  How about you?  Does your life reflect passivity or activity?

And do you love it when I use lots of italics?

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