The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 539
 

America's Basic Problem Is A Pastor Problem
By Chuck Baldwin
May 11, 2005

This column is especially difficult for me to write. Being a pastor
for thirty years, I have come to know, love, and appreciate
hundreds of fellow ministers. In fact, some of the dearest friends I
have on earth are pastors.

Beyond that, since I am a veteran pastor, I know firsthand the trials
and afflictions that beset every pastor. I doubt that there is a
tougher, more demanding profession than that of local church
pastor.

A pastor is never "off duty." He is literally on the job "twenty-four
seven." For example, I cannot remember the last time my wife and
I took a real vacation. It is even hard for me to remember the last
time that I had a single day away from work, much less an entire
week.

In addition, a pastor's work is, for the most part, vastly under-
estimated and under-appreciated. And on the whole, his pay is
barely adequate. His wife and children live under microscopes and
virtually everyone lays claim to his time.

Furthermore, pastors are some of the most criticized and
denigrated people on the planet! They constantly find themselves
at the butt end of jokes and sarcasm from unbelievers and are even
castigated and harangued by people within the church.

Therefore, it is no wonder that pastors are leaving the ranks at
record numbers and are wandering from church to church like
gypsies. No wonder so many pastors' children turn out bad, and
no wonder so many pastors are having stress-induced heart attacks.

With all of that said, however, it still behooves me to very frankly
say that America's basic problem today is a pastor problem! Our
nation is collapsing from within because pastors are sitting idly on
the sidelines, refusing to be trumpets for truth!

With all of the duties and responsibilities associated with the
pastor's job description, no duty or responsibility is any greater
than that of being God's watchman! Unlike any other, the pastor
stands as a voice for truth in the midst of a cacophony of lies and
distortions.

The pastor's job description cannot be written by a church
committee, denominational council, the Chamber of Commerce, or
the U.S. Congress. His job description has already been written. It
is contained within the pages of Holy Scripture.

Upon close examination, one can clearly see that one of the most
important of all the preacher's duties is that duty which God gave
to Isaiah: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet,
and show my people their transgression." (Isa. 58:1) Furthermore,
Isaiah was not the only under-shepherd to receive such a charge.

God told Jeremiah, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations,
and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to
destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jer. 1:10)

Remember, too, that John the Baptist went to prison and eventually
lost his head, not for preaching the Gospel, but for boldly
denouncing Herod's adulterous relationship with his brother's
wife. Furthermore, the boldness of men such as Isaiah, Jeremiah,
and John the Baptist has been the pattern of genuine preachers
throughout history.

Men of God throughout the ages have possessed the same sort of
grit and character as was found in Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, John
the Baptist, Simon Peter, and the Apostle Paul. They were
courageous, uncompromising men! They feared no man, be he
politician or potentate! They attempted to please no man or group
of men! They were untouchable, incorruptible, indefatigable
proclaimers of truth!

When Germany and Switzerland needed reformation, there was
Luther and Zwingli. When Scotland needed liberation, there was
William Wallace, supported by numerous Scot preachers. When
England needed someone to help rid it of slavery, there was
Wilberforce and his band of committed clergymen.

America, especially, has enjoyed a plethora of firebrand preachers.
In fact, the American revolution would never have taken place but
for the preaching of Jonathan Edwards, John Witherspoon, John
Leland, and hundreds like them.

So, what has happened to the current generation of preachers?
How is it that there is such a dearth of leadership from America's
pulpits? Where is the loud, clarion call for truth? Where are the
preachers who are willing "to root out, and to pull down, and to
destroy, and to throw down"? Where are the courageous, fearless,
undaunted men who would rather die than compromise?

Instead of championing truth, today's pastors champion political
parties. They cater to wealthy contributors. They wiggle around
controversy and grovel before government bureaucrats.

With an all-consuming passion to "succeed," they avoid preaching
"negative" sermons. They take great pains to never be
confrontational. Their current pastorate is merely a "stepping
stone" to the next big opportunity. They read all the latest and
greatest "how to" books. Their messages are more noted for what
they do not say, and they don't mind talking about sin as long as
they don't have to name it.

Of course, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that today's
avant garde preachers are being cheered on by a host of friends and
supporters. After all, look at the "big" churches in America today.
What do you see? Do you see "big" pastors marching in pro-life
rallies? Do you see them carrying placards outside of abortion
clinics? Do you see them rushing to the side of Terri Schaivo? (In
this regard, the Rev. Jesse Jackson was willing to do what not one
"big-name" evangelical leader was willing to do. Amazing!) Do
you hear them challenging President Bush when he refuses to
assist Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore or when he increases
federal spending for abortion providers or when he appoints
numerous open homosexuals to high public office?

Make no mistake about it, the actions and inactions of "big-name"
pastors are meticulously calculated. They have been well-schooled
in the art of what is socially and politically acceptable and what is
not. And they are rewarded, are they not, with bigger and bigger
congregations and greater and greater notoriety? So, where is the
incentive for the "little" preacher to speak out?

For example, I could not count the numbers of people who have
privately told me how much they appreciate my public stand for
this issue or that. They have slapped me on the back and said, "Go
get 'em." But, where do they attend church? Where do they give
their financial contributions? At the "big" church where the pastor
won't say "boo" to the devil. Whether they attend my church or
not is not the point, of course. I'm only attempting to point out that
the American people have chosen with their feet and with their
wallets what kind of pastors they want!

However, is not the man of God instructed to be faithful "in season
and out of season"? I would further argue that when truth is
unfashionable, the true prophet can be counted on to preach it with
even more conviction and clarity!

As Martin Luther said, "If I profess with the loudest voice and
clearest exposition every portion the truth of God except precisely
that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment
attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be
professing Christ. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the
soldier is proved. And to be steady on all the battle fields besides is
merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

In addition, has it ever been popular to be God's man? Did not the
prophets and preachers in Bible days sometimes pay a horrific
price to be faithful? In fact, try to name a Bible preacher that
wasn't thrown in jail at least once! I submit that it has never been
easy or popular to be a man of God, but what I want to know is,
when did men of God decide that it should be?

I truly believe that if enough preachers would decide to be the
courageous proponents of truth, as were our ancestors, and would
determine to preach the truth without fear or favor regarding any
person or political party, they could turn our ship of state around
post-haste! I further believe that if they don't do it soon, it will be
(if it's not already) too late.

Furthermore, if and when the funeral wreath is hung on the door of
America, historians will correctly record that it was our pastors
who let her die. Solve the pastor problem and America's basic
problem is solved.

© Chuck Baldwin

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