Thursday, September 4, 2008

Really?

Tony Morgan favorably highlights this "quotable quote" from Erwin McManus:
“I think the role of pastors at this time in history is to be a curator of human talent. They need to learn how to cultivate, how to identify, how to nurture, how to develop and unleash the God-given potential in every person.”

Really?
That is the role of pastors at this time in history? Maybe it's part of the pastor's work. But "the role" at "this time in history"?

Do you agree?
If not, what do you think is the role of pastors in today's evangelicalism?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

To me, the pastor's role has not changed. His primary responsibility is to teach the Word, and to make sure his congregation is learning. I would put talent cultivator far down on his list of responsibilities.

Anonymous said...

I kind of prefer this quote from the Apostle Paul:

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

(I Peter 5:1-4, by the way)

Gavin said...

The McManus quote smells of man-centeredness, akin to 'helping people reach their potential.' To be honest, it sounds a like like Oprah's best friend, Eckhart Tolle. It's 'power of positive thinking', self-actualization, reaching one's potential, etc., etc., oh, and with a tack-on at the very end, something about "for the kingdom of God."

It's man-centeredness masquerading as kingdom-mindedness and God-centeredness, if you ask me (and you did!).

What is the pastor's primary role? I'll piggyback on the first two comments, agreeing with them, and simply add that expository preaching is incredibly important in this age, and going deep in the Word of God for the purpose of growing disciples (I key in on Ephesians 3:11-16 here).

Frank said...

I'm all for finding and training and empowering new leaders and all that, but - as has been said - for that to be called the primary responsibility is a bit off. Proclamation of the Gospel seems pretty key. As a saved, relatively mature Christian, I know I need to hear the Gospel clearly preached much more than I need to feel cultivated.

Unknown said...

Same as ever. 2 Tim 4:2&5:

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Paul knew a thing or two about pastoring I reckon.

P.S. BTW Love the blog. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

So long as this 'potential' is unleashed to be Gospel driven and Mission centered... then i like the quote...

If it's about us being the best 'us' that we can be... then i hear Joel Osteen has a new book that also says the same thing!

Anonymous said...

Perhaps Mr. McManus should change his last name to Robbins... : - )

And, then get out there and promote his perspective via seminars and video conferences and podcasts and books and DVD's and on and on an on and on... like his big brother Tony R.

I think "being like Jesus" is pretty much the role... and pastoring is clearly defined in the Bible, isn't it?

These type of people are so focused on what "they" think... and not what God thinks...

BOR....ring....!

cel

Anonymous said...

I hear you guys, but in fairness, we live in the age of the "Talent Economy".

In 1980, 80% of the assets of all Fortune 1000 Companies were "physical" assets (buildings, inventory, etc.).....in 2002, that number inverted, as companies became more virtual, 80% of all assets became human assets.

Thus, there has been a business shift in focus to an investment in developing talent - talent for a business is the most important asset.

McManus, in context, is referring to the Talent Economy - I agree that he overstates the role of a pastor - but it does have merit "in this time in history" in other sectors of life.

BTW - I work for a company that develops "Talent Management" curriculum for companies - so I'm a little passionate about the subject.

I do agree that the role of a pastor (in truth) hasn't changed since NT times.....but I think McManus is referring to the Talent Economy, which will resonate with many people.

Scott Packett said...

Totally disagree that this is the primary role. It should be something we try to do, but our primary role is the proclamation of the Gospel, both in our weekly teaching and through the way we live our lives.

I agree this has an implication that the power is in the man, but we know the power is in the Gospel-the cross tat Jesus bore on our behalf, so we could be called out to be adopted into the family of God.

Just my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

A few thoughts, I hope not too polemic:

Remove any implied Gospel that you may happen to find from the blogs of many of these church growth, relevant, CEO/leadership guru pastors, and you would find little changed in the content of their published thoughts.

As an aside, I attended the church where Morgan is employed for about three years. Having just began reading this blog, "The Gospel-Driven Life", I find interesting content on the attraction church model.

Here is a rather long post that, given the aforementioned, may be of interest:
http://ronclick.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/an-ecclesiastical-journey/
It journals my experience into and out of that aforementioned church.

This URL may be of interest, too.
http://branthansen.typepad.com/letters_from_kamp_krusty/2008/09/servant-leaderhas-somethingto-say---leadermanwantsa-place-to-say-something--leaderman-you-almost-feel-you-know-his-famil.html

In His grip,

Ron