Jesus Christ Superstar
NOT – Forgive me in advance: here comes a rant. I have very few pet peeves, but those I have drive me crazy. Today I’d like to share with you 2 of them:
PET PEEVE #1: When I order a softdrink on a flight and they pour it in a cup and keep the rest of the can. What? I’m a big boy. I can drink the whole can. Stop holding back. Moving on…
PET PEEVE #2: Christian leaders and pastors that act like superstars. There are several reasons why this gets under my skin.
- First, I’m a networker. I take joy in getting to know other Christian leaders of various postions/roles, denominaitons and church sizes. I love meeting and getting to know people and that’s not going to change no matter how much I think I “make it” one day.
- Second, I’m a busy guy who serves on a mega-church staff, has a family, friends, a blog read daily by many people, writes for various websites and magazines, is writing a book, speaks at conferences across the country and still takes the time to respond to the many emails I get from people around the world each day.
- Third, I see and know other Church leaders that are even busier, speak and write more and watch as they take time to answer questions, meet local peers in ministry and help others.
- Fourth, I serve under an extremely humble Senior Pastor, Pete Briscoe. He’s seen our church go from around 200 people when he arrived, to now over 5000 under his leadership and is still one of the most genuinely humble and down to earth leaders I’ve ever been around. He has a very sensitive spirit and a true humility that makes me proud to know him.
- Fifth (I saved the best for last), I look at the example of Christ. Christ washed his disciples feet. He was a servant leader. He touched people that were not supposed to be touched and hung around with people that the religious would not.
If Jesus Christ could be humble, a servant and spend time with people of all types, shouldn’t He be our example? Shouldn’t we try to model after Him?
Now I know there are introverts and extroverts. I know not everyone is a natural networker. I get that. I do take issue with people that:
- Don’t have the decency to respond to an email – even with a “I’m burried right now. I’ll get back to you soon.”
- Don’t tell you their name when you meet them and shake their hand – like they assume you know who they are. I host gatherings where people come to meet me and still introduce myself and say, “Hi. I’m Greg Atkinson.” I was impressed when I met Michael W. Smith last year and he stuck out his hand and said, “Hi. I’m Michael.” – that’s a good impression that will always stick with me.
- Pastors that are hidden during worship, appear on the stage and then disappear afterwards. My pastor is down at the front, meeting with and praying with people after each service. That impresses me. Someone told me 14 years ago, when I first started in ministry: “Walk slowly through the aisles.” I’ve tried to always remember that.
- Pastors that are too busy to be at their own church’s baptism service. They get other staff members to baptize and don’t even attend. Are you kidding me? Have we forgotten what it’s all about and the joy and celebration of seeing people come to Christ and rejoice with them as they publically profess their faith? Get in the water, dude. Get wet. Get over it. Celebrate. Don’t take it for granted.
Hmmm? Did I miss anything? Anyone got anything to add? Don’t throw rocks!
November 17th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Preach!
November 17th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
You couldn’t be more right. I sat through a chapel service today at school (North Greenville University) where the whole time the speaker..not going to say his name. Was talking about himself the whole time. He spent so more time giving us disclamiers like “it’s not to toot my own horn,” “this isn’t about me,” and “that isn’t what I’m saying.” It really lowered his credibility and all that. Speakers of the GOSPEL need to learn how to do it the right way.
I would agree with you when you are saying that they are hidden during worship. It should be the opposite man. If you ever want to chat with me you can. I’m into the whole video world..majoring in Broadcast Media. It’s fun. I’ve got facebook, twitter, myspace, last.fm and a thousand other accounts on social networking sites. Drop me a comment sometime if you HAVE time that is!
November 18th, 2008 at 12:04 am
good word… i am so sick of insecure preachers with their little kingdoms!
November 18th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Good word Brian and Don. I sometimes wonder whose kingdom we’re trying to build.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Good stuff, Greg!
I just wanted to echo what you wrote about “hidden pastors”… I firmly believe that churches worship much like their senior pastors worship. When worship isn’t modeled by the top dog, I think you end up with a congregation that is very shallow… not to mention that it send a terrible message to those serving in the music ministry.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:58 am
That pretty much covers it.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:02 am
One of the things I’ll always remember is seeing how no matter what was going on, Barry McMurtrie who was a megachurch pastor in California always made it a point to be by the exit immediately after service to shake hands and encourage the congregation. He had a great presence, yet he was so very humble. He was never hidden at any time during the service!
The only thing I’d add to your list is when pastors speak as if they are always above the pain and struggles of the average person. When they become superstar Christians and represent themselves as a perfect example, it comes across as disingenuine and is a turnoff.
Thanks for all that you do and for your openness to meet others in his service and to offer your hand in encouragement and resourcefulness!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Three things to remember: servant leadership, servant leadership and oh, yeah-servant leadership.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:26 am
“PET PEEVE #1: When I order a softdrink on a flight and they pour it in a cup and keep the rest of the can. What? I’m a big boy. I can drink the whole can. Stop holding back.”
This is why I ALWAYS ask for “A can of apple juice and a cup of ice.” Works every time.
Matthew
November 18th, 2008 at 1:27 am
totally agree. thanks for being bold!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:03 am
What do you do if you’re the Worship Pastor and your Senior Pastor has stated from the pulpit that a person’s worship is of less importance than tithing?? We’re currently going thru this and are wondering how to address this issue without heading down the road of rebellion. I personally believe that praise has its place in the Kingdom, as does one’s obedience in tithing; neither is less than the other.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Greg, great post. I often advise my fellow pastors to stand at the door and shake hands with people on the way out. That 2-3 minutes you take can inform you and them so much. Hybels says…a word, a touch…
Cilla….if you dont like something the pastor is doing, you can leave. Maybe your wrong, maybe he is wrong. But open statements like you have made on a public website are not helpful or biblical.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Just one pet peeve to add-pastors that don’t look you in the eye. It seems like they have much more important stuff to do while they’re shaking your hand or talking to you. Where I come from-Hollywood/LA- this is a sure-fire way to ensure continued unemployment.
Oh yeah-I agree totally with the soda thing-but I think they’re just trying to conserve drinks. It seems like a sure thing on longer and/or fuller flights that I’ll only get a single cup of soda whereas on the others they happily give me the whole can.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I spent the first 15 years of my working life in the Travel Industry. The reason they don’t give you the entire can is because they don’t want everyone standing in line for the head. People up and out of their seats for any reason is not a good thing.
And I’m not impressed with Hollywood stars, nor an I impressed with superstar preachers. In fact I just avoid them if possible, and if I can’t I’m polite and I listen to the message to see what it is that God is trying to say through them. Because God can and does use everyone to spread his message, from the lowest of the low to Superstars.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Good stuff!
Peeve #1: People in line in front of you at a fast food restaurant for 10 mins or more that suddenly realize they need to decide what to order when they finally get to the front. They begin studying the marquee like McDonald’s/Wendy’s/Taco Bell is going to have a daily chef’s special. It’s a fast food restaurant people, the menu rarely changes.
Peeve #2: Echoing the hidden pastors theme…Senior pastors or other staff that are MIA for anything other than their specific responsibility. For example, a pastor that shows up for Sunday times where he is part of the function, but never shows up for other ministry functions. You don’t have to show up for every event or every ministry function, but volunteers and members need to see you’re interested in those ministries and support their activities.
Peeve #3: Worship leaders that see worship times as a “performance” and not worship. I know you may be really talented and the band may be really, really good, but worship should not be a performance. Worship should be a time when all present (live or by video) should be focusing on God.
Thanks Greg for your challenging and thought provoking posts.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Nice post man. I so agree. I think true brokenness is a key sign to those who walk with Christ.
Shalom
November 18th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Rick, I started to add that “don’t look you in the eye” thing, but thought the post was getting a little too long. I totally agree. That definitely bothers me.
Chris, I like what you said about brokenness. We lead from our brokenness (or should).
November 18th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I would love to get an email from someone famous like you! I would respond right away just because I was pumped that I got an email from someone famous!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Pet Peeve (outiside of pastors saying they are all about the Kingdom and coming along side other pastors/planters and they don’t and they just give lip service-just say’n) is people standing in line, at movies, in church, places like that snapping their gum. Come on, chew it or spit it out! I think it’s very gross to have to hear that-it just bothers me, like pastors who more interested in getting published, speaking at the next cool conference and talking about building Kindgom THAN building the Kingdom. Again, just say’n.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Great post.
I am a nobody, but I introduce myself as John Snyder. I think more than anything it is a manners thing. My parents taught to stand up and introduce myself with my whole name. Maybe this is an outdated thing in this day and age, but I think it is important.
I think it’s funny too when pastors have like 7 security guards who are packing heat. I understand if there have been threats made on your life, but really what are the odds.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
A quick note of apology for not having the wisdom to refrain from posting such a sensitive comment in such a public forum.
Also, Mark E, thank you for that exhortation. I took it to heart, and in turn had a heart-to-heart with our Senior Pastor, who in turn explained his points-of-view & convictions while at the same time listening to mine.
Thank God, he took the time (3rd point in Pet Peeve 2) to help us understand.
Blessings!
November 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Pet Peeve: Standing at the door and shaking the hands and never getting a chance to talk to people. I get the touch can change a life but for me it had become a time that it felt like people had to tell you what a great job you had done and there was never any opportunity for real conversations.
We have started a gathering in a room off the auditorium where we can meet with folks and actually talk to them on Sunday mornings after the services. It’s geared towards new folks but anyone who needs to talk can come in and chat with our staff (paid and volunteer). It has become a great place to meet folks and get to know their names and help them to connect with others in our community
November 18th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I know what you mean!
I attended a talk by Pastor Gary Brandenberg (Fellowship Bible Church Dallas) at Dallas Theological Seminary one night. He spoke for almost an hour and then a few of us including Gary had dinner together after the talk. When we were finding our table he extended his hand and said, “Hi! I’m Gary.” And that struck me as kind of odd. I thought, “Of course you’re Gary. You’ve been speaking for the last hour and you’re the pastor of one of the larger churches around DTS.”
But that act spoke volumes about the kind of man he is.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Gabe, Gary Brandenberg (at Fellowship Dallas) is one of the pastors I have a tremendous amount of respect for. Gary is the real deal. He knows more about me than most people on the planet. I’ve been able to share some of the ugliness and brokenness of life with him and have received his wonderful smile and a picture of God’s grace. He’s a terrific example of the way a pastor should function.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:30 am
[...] or pastars? November 18, 2008 Greg Atkinson blogger Greg Atkinson shares two of his pet peeves: “PET PEEVE #1: When I order a softdrink on a flight and they pour it in a cup and keep the [...]
November 19th, 2008 at 1:17 am
I especially liked your point about people who don’t introduce themselves. I’d never thought of that. Not to name drop, but I had the amazing opportunity to meet Garth Brooks a few years back, and he took the initiative to put out his hand and say, “Hi, I’m Garth.” I actually felt silly giving him my name, thinking it couldn’t possibly matter. But his gesture made an impression.
Your comments on serving leaders are right on. We’ve also been having quite a bit of discussion on that topic at my blog the last couple of days.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
deep breath! i’ve worked with some reclusive superstars and they are anything but. boundaries have to be drawn so they can serve the people they are supposed to serve and empower others to serve in their own areas. jesus said no in luke 4 and told people to leave him alone.
it’s not an excuse to be rude, but there are two sides to every story.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
[...] with rockstar pastors – leaders that forget that ministry is about people. You can read it HERE. My friend, Phil Cooke, recently blogged about “Warning Signs of a Ministry Diva”. See [...]