Pulpit and Pew
One of my mentors was Jeffrey Hadden, tenured professor of sociology at the University of Virginia. He was reputedly a world-class social science expert in understanding the relationship of the pulpit and pew. When called upon to be an expert witness in court, he was known to receive all expenses and $4,000 per day.
Professor Hadden spent years studying, researching, reading, and interviewing to understand the relationship of pulpit and pew, i.e., pastor and parishioner(s). In a theoretical sense, he would talk about distance between the pulpit and the pew.
If all is well and communication and relationship are harmonious, then the pulpit and pew are close together. If there is a breakdown of communication and relationship, then the distance between pulpit and pew grows. If the distance becomes too great, the relationship fails.
Granted this is a complex and delicate issue, which is why Professor Hadden was paid $4,000 per day as a witness. However, we can and should deduce a few simple thoughts that help us to live a Christ-life.
Pulpit and pew can be close together and have a relationship and both be in the wrong. Note carefully the Bible talks about the blind leading the blind and both ending up in the ditch. Jim Jones is a classic example. People followed him to another continent and to their death.
Pulpit and pew can have a good relationship and agree on beliefs, but fail to act on a plan of merit that produces good. There are many pulpits of good character with persons of good character in pews, but they have no plan. Thus, no harvest.
Pulpit can be correct, and pew can be in error. Many a good pastor in the pulpit has been fired by people in the pews who simply were carnal or power hungry. Not everyone who goes to church is a saint.
Yes, the pulpit can be wrong, and the pews be right. Jesus made clear there are wolves in sheep's clothing. Good people have been disappointed by the pulpit.
People in the pews have a right to:
- Trust the pulpit.
- Believe everything said in the pulpit.
- Believe that everything said is consistent with character of the pulpit (minister) outside the pulpit.
- See the character of Christ in the pulpit (minister).
- Hold accountable the person and substance of the pulpit.
- Have the pulpit (minister) act and live unselfishly.
Breakdown between the pulpit and pew leads to the same thing that happens in a home when parents and children do not get along. Distance grows. Children feel justified to think, say and do what they like without respect of parents. When a family lacks trust, Judges 23:25 becomes the standard of living for family members: "In those days there was no king in Israel, and every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
Christians are a Body. They travel together. Share faith. Differ from many other religions. Christianity is communal. God made man a family. Heaven will be like a big family. Esoteric, egotistical and independent living is contrary to the Body of Fellowship of Christians.
The pulpit's greatest burden is to convince people of the commonness of sin, the righteousness of Jesus, the victory of the cross, the power of the Holy Spirit, the duty to live a holy life, and the hope of the Resurrection. If the pulpit is to do its work effectively every ambition and earthly possession must be surrendered at Calvary in exchange for the privilege of being a messenger of salvation.
The pulpit has the onus of being mindful of distance between pulpit and pew. Like a good parent, the pulpit must ever seek ways to draw the Body together in unity of faith and action to fulfill Christ's command to go into the world preaching, teaching, baptizing, and making disciples.
If the pew cannot believe the pulpit, the distance between pulpit and pew becomes painful and disruptive to the Body. Fundamental to the principles of Christianity is Truth. Truth leads to trust. Trust heals. Trust saves.
May the Lord God give to America ministers who will live and preach the gospel in character to draw parishioners into the unity of faith. Ministers have the primary function of taking up their cross, following Jesus, and sharing the gospel. They are under-shepherds representing the Great Shepherd.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Bare
"Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding." Jeremiah 3:15