I'd like to use this entry to discuss a growing trend in Southern Baptist life that I find troubling -- churches relying on Directors of Missions to find their next pastor.
Now, certainly DOMs can and should be helpful to a congregation as they search for a pastor. This may include providing churches with prospective pastors' resumes, or assisting a church in developing an effective process for finding and calling a man to serve as pastor. Being without a pastor can be a traumatic and confusing time for a church, and many congregations do need guidance. However, in my estimation, some DOMs have crossed the line from guidance to interference.
For example, my younger brother (Jordan) recently went to visit a local DOM to inquire about some churches in his association that were searching for a pastor. He thought this would be the most convenient way to get the various churches' contact information. To his disbelief, the DOM refused to give Jordan the contact information, simply stating (and I'm paraphrasing) that he didn't think Jordan would "be a good fit" for the churches in question. Bear in mind, this DOM had never met my brother before, but he made an instant judgment of his qualifications. My brother is relatively young. Did this DOM assume, because of Jordan's age, that he was inexperienced, "emerging," a Calvinist, or perhaps a social drinker? (None of which are true, by the way.) Who knows? I don't know what the DOM was thinking, so I really can't judge him. All I know is that rather than let the churches of his association decide if they wanted Jordan's resume, he made the decision for them.
I think what's happening here is that some DOMs are taking on too much authority. Local church members with little knowledge of Baptist polity come to see the DOM as a pope-like figure, and many DOMs do little to counter this image. Then, when a little church finds itself without a shepherd, the DOM swoops in (no doubt with good intentions) and assures the church he will find them a good pastor. The little church puts its fate in the DOMs hands, and establishes him as the "gatekeeper" for any would-be candidates.
Some may argue this system isn't all that bad. After-all, some churches (because of advancing age, conflict, or simple incompetence) appear utterly incapable of finding a good pastor on their own. Isn't it easier, in such cases, just to let the DOM do the work?... It may be easier, but I'm convinced it's not healthy. Here's why...
1) In perception (if not in reality) it violates the treasured Baptist principle of local church autonomy.
2) To a degree, it causes a local church to put trust in the DOM that it should be putting in the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
3) It allows the DOM to impress his personal prejudices, doctrinal positions, and priorities upon a congregation that may not share all of his convictions. To give you an example of this, here are some excerpts from an actual email my brother recently received from a DOM in a western state:
"Why ________? Is there a specific place/area in ________? What do you know about ministry in the West? Have you ever been out here? . . . I would be a bit concerned about the cultural adjustment for you and your family because I know people from Arkansas have a hard time adjusting to big towns and modern places . . .
I noted you have completed Basic Training for Church planters. Have you ever been involved in a church plant? Was there a time you were considering being a church planter? Do you feel educated enough to do this, because just one seminar doesn't cut it.
We have found that most of the time, it is best for a couple to really know where they are called to first. Meaning, if they really feel called to a different area than what they have been used to, it is better for them to find jobs in that area first . . . Perhaps even for 3-4 years before taking on a ministry . . .
Those are just some of my thoughts and some questions I had for you if you truly want to pursue a move to _______."
I don't know if I've ever read anything that condescending/discouraging. And why? I can only assume Jordan's profile didn't meet the DOM's personal expectations . . . In another western state, the state convention wants written answers to the following questions before it will consider passing your name along to a local church:
"What translation of the Bible do you consider to be appropriate and accurate for use in Southern Baptist churches and ministry? The Authorized Version or will any version do?
Express your thoughts on the present day “Charismatic Movement” and “Contemporary Movement.” What kind of worship do you prefer?
Have you and/or your spouse ever practiced glossolalia?
What are your thoughts on the tenants of Calvinism as they relate to Southern Baptist Churches and SBC life and work in general?"
Talk about some loaded questions! Do we really want the denomination to have this much control over the local church? By the time the local church gets any resumes, they're narrowed down to the select few that believe every secondary and tertiary issue exactly the same way as whoever happens to be in associational/denominational leadership at the time! There's no telling how many wonderful, Godly pastors never get considered in a system such as this, because they never make it past the "gatekeeper."
In closing, I would encourage all churches to depend ultimately upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not upon associational or state leadership, to determine who God would have as their pastor. I also want to thank DOMs (like mine) who understand their primary job is to facilitate cooperation of churches for evangelism and missions.
Now, certainly DOMs can and should be helpful to a congregation as they search for a pastor. This may include providing churches with prospective pastors' resumes, or assisting a church in developing an effective process for finding and calling a man to serve as pastor. Being without a pastor can be a traumatic and confusing time for a church, and many congregations do need guidance. However, in my estimation, some DOMs have crossed the line from guidance to interference.
For example, my younger brother (Jordan) recently went to visit a local DOM to inquire about some churches in his association that were searching for a pastor. He thought this would be the most convenient way to get the various churches' contact information. To his disbelief, the DOM refused to give Jordan the contact information, simply stating (and I'm paraphrasing) that he didn't think Jordan would "be a good fit" for the churches in question. Bear in mind, this DOM had never met my brother before, but he made an instant judgment of his qualifications. My brother is relatively young. Did this DOM assume, because of Jordan's age, that he was inexperienced, "emerging," a Calvinist, or perhaps a social drinker? (None of which are true, by the way.) Who knows? I don't know what the DOM was thinking, so I really can't judge him. All I know is that rather than let the churches of his association decide if they wanted Jordan's resume, he made the decision for them.
I think what's happening here is that some DOMs are taking on too much authority. Local church members with little knowledge of Baptist polity come to see the DOM as a pope-like figure, and many DOMs do little to counter this image. Then, when a little church finds itself without a shepherd, the DOM swoops in (no doubt with good intentions) and assures the church he will find them a good pastor. The little church puts its fate in the DOMs hands, and establishes him as the "gatekeeper" for any would-be candidates.
Some may argue this system isn't all that bad. After-all, some churches (because of advancing age, conflict, or simple incompetence) appear utterly incapable of finding a good pastor on their own. Isn't it easier, in such cases, just to let the DOM do the work?... It may be easier, but I'm convinced it's not healthy. Here's why...
1) In perception (if not in reality) it violates the treasured Baptist principle of local church autonomy.
2) To a degree, it causes a local church to put trust in the DOM that it should be putting in the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
3) It allows the DOM to impress his personal prejudices, doctrinal positions, and priorities upon a congregation that may not share all of his convictions. To give you an example of this, here are some excerpts from an actual email my brother recently received from a DOM in a western state:
"Why ________? Is there a specific place/area in ________? What do you know about ministry in the West? Have you ever been out here? . . . I would be a bit concerned about the cultural adjustment for you and your family because I know people from Arkansas have a hard time adjusting to big towns and modern places . . .
I noted you have completed Basic Training for Church planters. Have you ever been involved in a church plant? Was there a time you were considering being a church planter? Do you feel educated enough to do this, because just one seminar doesn't cut it.
We have found that most of the time, it is best for a couple to really know where they are called to first. Meaning, if they really feel called to a different area than what they have been used to, it is better for them to find jobs in that area first . . . Perhaps even for 3-4 years before taking on a ministry . . .
Those are just some of my thoughts and some questions I had for you if you truly want to pursue a move to _______."
I don't know if I've ever read anything that condescending/discouraging. And why? I can only assume Jordan's profile didn't meet the DOM's personal expectations . . . In another western state, the state convention wants written answers to the following questions before it will consider passing your name along to a local church:
"What translation of the Bible do you consider to be appropriate and accurate for use in Southern Baptist churches and ministry? The Authorized Version or will any version do?
Express your thoughts on the present day “Charismatic Movement” and “Contemporary Movement.” What kind of worship do you prefer?
Have you and/or your spouse ever practiced glossolalia?
What are your thoughts on the tenants of Calvinism as they relate to Southern Baptist Churches and SBC life and work in general?"
Talk about some loaded questions! Do we really want the denomination to have this much control over the local church? By the time the local church gets any resumes, they're narrowed down to the select few that believe every secondary and tertiary issue exactly the same way as whoever happens to be in associational/denominational leadership at the time! There's no telling how many wonderful, Godly pastors never get considered in a system such as this, because they never make it past the "gatekeeper."
In closing, I would encourage all churches to depend ultimately upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not upon associational or state leadership, to determine who God would have as their pastor. I also want to thank DOMs (like mine) who understand their primary job is to facilitate cooperation of churches for evangelism and missions.