In the GPro conference held on June 15 to 22 discussing the essence and status of the church, the first keynote speaker Gary Brandenburg shared his insights regarding unhealthy priests and stressed that priests should get out of this unhealthy situation.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).” From this verse, we can see that a priest should not be a dictator, a saint or a high clergy member.
“There are several views regarding the varieties of leaders and how one should be a leader. Some leaders are acting like dictators or saints, not regarding himself as a person who should serve God’s people. He tends to think that he is more special than others. This is very different from that which we see in Jesus and Jesus’ first disciples. Others show attitudes depicting that they should be treated like the high priests. We are all teaching the same teachings, but they feel they are special shepherds if Christians are going to do something about it. However, in reading 1 Timothy 3:1-7, it said “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgement as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall from grace and into the devil’s trap.”
Here are the things God wishes to see in his shepherds:
1. A healthy family relationship, especially with their wife and children
2. Has a clear ethical principle regarding topics like sex, money and freedom
3. Have spiritual authority
4. Understands the notion “fame is not to blame” or have a good fame in society
5. Have a solid doctrine
6. Be a good witness
7. Be kind, hospitable and understanding
The speaker has over 30 years of service experience and he said that “even in evangelical churches, there is no doubt that Christians are growing up. But some shepherds have done suicide or undergone divorce for years. We cee many tragedies happen and a great deal of people haven’t realized they could have gotten guidance with the help of the Bible.”
The speaker cited several problems in the priesthood for the past 30 years:
1. They think the calling of being a shepherd is a calling that is very romantic.
2. They develop a Messiah complex
3. They become self-centered.
The calling on becoming a shepherd is not something that should be thought of with exaggerated. A shepherd is not a high priest or a saint. When one becomes a shepherd, some tend to develop a “Messiah complex” which causes them to think that “Everything from God have to pass by him.” However, this thinking should not be practiced because this is the reason why churches have so much trouble recently. We must understand that we all belong in Jesus’ body. We are in the same body and serve Jesus. If we do not recognize this, we could resent the job and become self-centered. When you are working with an attitude that makes you think that you are the Messiah, you will have problems. You will become anxious with what you are doing and you cannot work on your own. We should be on our way to Jerusalem, instead of going to Rome or Yam.
Considering these problems, how do we get out.
First, we must be humble and be a shepherd rather than being a boss. A shepherd must serve his congregation.
Second, a shepherd must have a servant attitude.
Third, they must be happy with what they are doing.
In the speaker’s sharing, he spoke about his perception of an ideal shepherd. He says that they seem to just focus on reaching their goals and not losing their power. However, from the texts of the New Testament, we see Jesus spending three years to care for 12 disciples. We should take notice of the healthy way of serving our God in the text of the New Testament. Shepherds are like soccer coaches and the congregation are like soccer players.
At the same time, it is wrong to say that shepherds are like leaders who cannot control the congregation. If we retain this false perspective and fail to understand the problems of shepherds today, we will face a great deal of trouble because we are too anxious and feel keen for authority. Meanwhile, ignoring to study the Bible and improving one’s theological knowledge while giving unimportant things a priority puts one’s sentiment on the authority of God and the importance of family relationships in jeopardy.
Nowadays, many shepherd families continue to have problems in their family with children not wanting to become close to God and the Church. This must be seen as a warning and a sign that something must be done.
How can one solve the problem?
First, we have to read the Bible. Sometimes, we often think that we are abundant for knowledge without considering the lessons in the Bible. We must know that it is necessary to think highly of the bible and the value of theological knowledge. We have to read the Bible more and in-depth instead of focusing on just our own knowledge. We must also not look into another’s authority and give priority to the most important things in life.
Second, we should think highly regarding relationships. We see a lot of shepherds who are completely exhausted. They just want to get something that they want and eventually, this will get them exhausted to do anything else.
Third, as a shepherd, we must know where our boundaries are. You are a servant of God, not a superman or supergirl. You still need to learn the Bible and love God very much.
Fourth, find a partner and tutor that would guide you in times you are lost.
Fifth, take care of your emotions and never let anything challenge it.
Finally, love one’s family. Do not forget this vital aspect of a person’s relationship. According to the speaker, he heard that very famous evangelical shepherds have already lost their families and children. “Because we go far away from the way of a servant. I know of a father who has 5 children. He devoted a lot in his role as a servant, but he did not forget his family and children during this period. If one does not do the same, while one would become a servant, they may lose their family and children.”
