Have you been reading more news lately? I have. And I’ve noticed something: Tucked amongst the stories about the coronavirus, the election, and the economy are accounts of celebrities (usually female) posing in ways to show off their famed physiques. Though celebrities pictured don’t always possess A-List fame, the tag usually follows this pattern: “Britney Shows Off Toned Abs in Her Bedroom.” Now, “Bedroom” is revealing. These are not pictures snapped by some persistent paparazzo as the celeb dashes to Target for more kitty litter; these pictures have been posted by the celebrities, posted to gain attention or to keep their names on the minds of isolated fans who might—understandably—be thinking about something else during the Great Isolation.
Could headlines about pastors defying stay-at-home orders to have church services offer the ecclesiastical equivalent of “Wearing a Purple Leotard J-Lo [Jennifer Lopez to you in Toledo] Rocks Her Shoe Designs”? I suspect some pastors clamoring for their First Amendment rights to have services during the pandemic—thereby ignoring the health of their members—are hoping for a little headline space. Most pastors spend their careers without attracting the media. True, pastors who embezzle funds or abuse the vulnerable get attention, earning career-ending headlines. But a story that, in the minds of some, portrays a pastor as a valiant opponent of an oppressive government can turn an otherwise undistinguished parson into a hero. A hero of sorts.
Some pastors, so I’ve learned over the years, yearn to have church members who will embrace their opinions about everything from obscure Bible passages to the morality of a new fashion trend, from medical issues to world events. Hardly a surprise. They foster dependence, wanting “What would the pastor say?” to be first question any parishioner asks.
In contrast, New Testament preachers and teachers encouraged their listeners and readers to think for themselves, to evaluate what they heard any preacher or teacher say. Paul refused to exempt himself from the scrutiny of his audience (Gal. 1:8). John challenged Christians to put those claiming to be prophets “to the test” (I Jn. 4:1). And, of course, Luke famously praised the congregation at insignificant Berea because they tempered enthusiasm with prudence when they listened to Paul, having “. . . studied [examined] the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true [ to confirm Paul’s teaching was in line with Scripture]” (Acts 17:11 EXB).
Give your pastor the respect the office deserves—but no more. Study your Bible, confer with other believers, and think.
