R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I’ve been in conversations with different pastors this week about an interesting topic: showing respect to pastors. I’m being asked more by younger leaders, “how do I get my people to show respect to me as a pastor?” Sometimes they ask it with a sense of guilt, like, “I don’t deserve respect, but I think a pastor is supposed to have it.” Others are a little more, shall we say, ‘eager’ to enforce respect on their flock.

The respect issue often involves the teaching and policies regarding treatment of pastors- titles they are to be called, behavior towards them, and the activity of staff and flock who serve them.

Let me say clearly – I believe a pastor deserves respect. The average person does not understand the pressure on a pastor, the burden of responsibility he carries. He is an assistant shepherd to Jesus Himself, and will stand before Him to give a report on how he led and cared for the flock. Scripture is clear that pastors [elders] are to be honored and respected. Whenever possible I teach new churches, staffs, or elder teams on how they should respect and care for their pastor.

But there is a difference between Scriptural honoring and manufactured respect.

Why has this issue become a challenge for some? Why is there renewed interest in showing respect for pastors? A few reasons I see include…

1. Culture – since the 1960s in our country, respect for authority has been on the decline. Unpopular wars, political scandals, televangelist scandals, CEO crimes, the development of youth culture, etc have exposed leaders in our society to scrutiny and ultimately ridicule. We no longer respect parents, pastors, police or politicians just because of their position.
2. Church plants – by its very nature, a church plant is a brand new organism. It has no history, buildings, or programs which might lend credence to it being a “real church.” Plants also, by nature, go after the unchurched – people who have little understanding of Scripture, church, or the role of a pastor. And they reach de-churched people – those who’s memory of church may be damaged by pastors who abused their authority.
3. Younger pastors – this discussion seems to be stirred up most among younger leaders, those who don’t have as many years in ministry, who are the most susceptible to the questioning and criticism of a flock.

So where should our biblical teaching on authority-honoring come from: Old Testament or New Testament? What should be the Scriptural model for respecting pastors?

• “King?” I trust not. Our churches are not monarchies – they are families.

• “Priest?” Yes, there are some similarities in function and principles that can be examined. But the “office” has gone away with the Law, and besides, we live in a time when every member has a “priesthood” role.

• “Prophet?” Yes, again, due to some similarities of ministry.

But the instruction on respect-showing toward priests and prophets mainly focuses on two areas: listening to their message because it was from God, and taking care of their livelihood.

What about New Testament teaching? Apostle John talks about respect in his postcard to Gauis, when he rebukes Diotrephes because he “does not acknowledge our authority.”

Paul and Peter talk about the spiritual authority of elders and apostles:

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching… Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.1 Timothy 5:17, 19

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Paul goes on to address the issue in his third letter to Corinth [2 Corinthians], especially chapter 10, where he defends his authority as an apostle. But he always roots his authority back to Scripture, and to Christ.

He [or another writer] speaks in Hebrews about our need to submit to and obey our leaders because they will give a report to God. But if there was any question about what Paul meant when he taught his spiritual authority, it’s clear what he practiced in the area of receiving respect. In Lystra, after he had performed a miracle, the people stage-rushed him and said…

“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news… Acts 14

So what do we do in this matter?

Christ-followers, be sure to give respect to your pastor in the way you listen to his teaching and guidance from Scripture. Be sure to take care of his living needs, and be generous to his family. Submit to his spiritual authority because he will one day give a report to the Chief Pastor about you.

Pastors, remember that you don’t own your authority – its on loan from God, and as Andy Stanley reminded us in his teaching on Nebuchadnezzar, He can revoke it at any time. The honor for your office is tied to how you lead and shepherd from Scripture. Remember that spiritual authority is shared by other elders in the church, and they can hold you accountable and encourage you. Remember that honor is commanded but respect is earned. If you want respect, then you must have conversation and behavior that is worthy of respect – on the stage, in the coffee shop, in the staff meeting, in Twitter, in your blog.

I trust this generation of leaders won’t return to the behavior of some in a past generation of pastors. My dad told me the story of a prominent pastor speaking at a conference nearly 40 years ago. He was explaining to the pastors how he demanded absolute obedience and respect from his people. To illustrate, he commanded one of his deacons who was present to walk down the aisle and bow in front of him. The man complied. “Pastors, that’s the kind of respect you should have from your people.”

No, that’s the kind of unchecked leadership that caused many pastors in that generation to operate as demagogues, with little accountability and many failures in morals and finances.

In leadership, respect is not to be manufactured – it is to be manifested.

Perhaps the memory of Leader who rolled up His sleeves, knelt down, and washed our feet will guide us as we lead.