What I Would Say to Pastors

by Dr. Jason A. Hines

I have had an experience that I think is pretty unique in Adventism. I attended and obtained a degree from an Adventist seminary, but I do not pastor a church. On the one hand, it means I continue to harbor a special love for pastors. I have seen with my own eyes how hard they study and work, as well as their intimate knowledge of the scriptures. I also know how they struggle and agonize over their understanding of those same scriptures and their call to ministry, and how they have to balance that against what is possible for them in their particular churches and within this denomination.

At the same time, the thing that I think pastors don't often notice as they live out their calling is how important they are in setting the culture of their churches. I think this is particularly important now when Christianity as a whole has squandered its privilege as being a trusted institution in society. While I realize this is not any individual pastor’s fault, unfortunately, it rests on the leaders of our congregations to be cognizant of the society and culture in which they do their important work. “Heavy is the head…” as they say.

So how do we, one congregation at a time, begin to restore (or in some places create) a culture that will foster trust between the believer and the non-believer? I think there are three things that we need to remember. First, we must return to love as the first principle upon which the church is founded. Jesus said there are two great commandments – first, to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and then, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Whatever the law and the prophets say comes from this foundation. To be even more clear, our love for God, ourselves, and our neighbors does not come from our ability to keep the rules and revere the prophets (modern or otherwise). When we realize that our love for God, ourselves, and others is more important than our rules, then the way we interact with society will change. If we were more cognizant of the fact that Christ demands that our love for our neighbor be based on how we would want to be treated, we would engage with each other and outsiders differently. And that difference might just be all the difference in people beginning to understand who Jesus is.

Second, we must begin to speak the truth, truthfully. Instead of presenting ourselves as though we have all the answers, we should begin to present ourselves as we are – people seeking answers to the great questions of the human experience; just like every other human being. We should admit that we don’t know better than anyone else the answers to the great questions and conundrums of life. When we present our faith as a place where we go to seek truth as opposed to a place where the truth resides, it will change the way people see us. We have to be willing to take ourselves down from the pedestals that we built for ourselves. Believers and non-believers alike are fellow travelers on the road of life, and we have the opportunity to learn from each other and discover answers together; even if we never attend church together. The time to hold ourselves as somehow above the world because we have found Christ is now over; if it was ever appropriate in the first place.

Third, and finally, we must remember that while the church exists to make disciples, the church does not do the actual work of life-change. While we have an active role in introducing people to Jesus Christ and teaching people about Christ, it is the indwelling of the Spirit that draws people near to Christ and leads to people to a relationship with the God of the Universe. That is not to say the role of the church in providing community and being a home for those seeking truth is not important. It is simply a reminder that God never called us to save the nation or legislate His rule. Our job is to give souls a home, provide for them in what ways we can, and then introduce them to the God who inspires us to do such things. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Each of these three reminders has one thing in common. If there was one thing I wanted to say to pastors is that we must establish a culture of vulnerability. Vulnerability based in love. Vulnerability that can admit that we don’t have all the answers. Vulnerability that turns over the work of the gospel to the Spirit and stands ready to be directed by the Spirit’s leading in our churches. If we can get back to these first principles I believe the church can be what God always intended it to be.

Jason A. Hines, JD, MA, PhD is Assistant Professor of Ethics, Law, Policy, and Religion at Advent Health University.