Who's Behind Your Pulpit?

What exactly are churches looking for in a pastor today? I ask that question because in today's post-modern world we see biblical principles on a down slide. The Bible says “ For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things” Phil 3:18-19. Paul also warns us when he says “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” Acts 20:29-31. The more and more I read about local churches the more I find myself discouraged to see what the future holds for the local church. Just look around your community! Are the people flocking into the church to hear the message or are they flocking into the church to be entertained? People are not interested in the spiritual things; they are only interested in what they want to hear.
Pastors are not doing what God commands of them “...to preach my word in season and out of season”. As pastors, we have the responsibility to care for, nurture, and protect the children of the living God. It amazes me that I, Mike Andrews, have been given the privilege, the call, to pastor and teach the precious Word of God to the children through His divine authority. The Bible says “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” Acts 20:28. John MacArthur says a preacher must be a man who is “above reproach.... should be consistently characteristic of his life as one who assumes the stewardship of God’s ministry”. It starts with a heart for God’s children and the compassion to see the flock of Christ grow during their sanctification. However, it all begins with me, as pastor, submitting to and obeying the call that God has put before me - to learn and meditate on God’s Word. The problem is that the world is falling deeper and deeper into the abyss, and the churches of North America are falling right along with them. The solution is for men to be strong men of God in the church. We must be men who are called to proclaim Christ Jesus to a fallen and broken world and to shepherd His flock. This will only begin when pastors step to the plate and do what we've been called to do. We need to be men who are listening to the call of God to “teach My word in season and out of season” (2 Tim 4:1-4) as Todd Friel says on “Wretched Radio” “MAN-UP PASTORS!” Churches must STOP and do the same. You must find men who are called by God and stop looking for the ‘business’ type and ‘amusement park’ type of preacher. The preacher has one job, and that is to shepherd and encourage the spiritual well being of the local church so that they are ready to see King Jesus! Is your church ready to see Him? Are you as an individual ready to see Him? I hope so, because there will come a day when every single one of us will have to give an account of our time and behavior. You too pastors! Remember what James said “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1. So my question to the local church is: who is behind your pulpit? The entertainer who tickles the ears, or the smart businessman who can “woo” the people with human flattery, or the man called by God? Pray for your pastors they need it desperately.