um... Ok, I appreciate what I'm fairly certain you meant as a compliment and which I am accepting as such.. It really means a lot to me that you have some level of respect for what I do... But I must say this rather forward assertion really underscores some issues I have with the way we "do" church.

By you proposing that I am "a Pastor and I just don't know" it presumes a great deal. I would guess you have been around long enough to have developed some secondary knowledge of what I do online and have made you assessment from that... If so, I don't know how you could possibly assume I have anything at all against the title, the office, or the people who have accepted the call to Pastor a church. I think a better question might be what makes you so sure I am a Pastor? My gifts? If so that confuses me...

What are gifts that they are automatically assumed to identify calling? A “gift” is NOT a calling. Many are “gifted”, talented, and charismatic leaders, speakers, and teachers. That does not mean that they should presume to be counted as so. (James 3:1) My point is this, and I've said this before, charisma ensures neither content nor character. That simply can not and must not be our primary barometer for establishing leadership.

For example: how do we separate what one might call a "learned skill" from what we might consider a "spiritual gift"? What is to be said of God’s timing, preparation, and patience? Further, who said a “calling” was automatically INTO a title or role? John the Baptist was called right? Called to what? He was called out to the “wilderness”, not into the synagogues. What if there are those who may actually be called away? Is their calling any less credible?

I just find it disturbing how readily people assume that just because you are good at something you must be "called" to do it. I believe this is how many well intended men and women of God get swept up in the currents of charisma and assume roles they have neither the character nor wisdom to execute and sustain. What if David, once he knew he was to be King, had immediately deserted his herd of sheep on the back side of the mountain and rushed down to take his throne? He would have been slaughtered… Much like many of our gifted but woefully prepared Pastors and church leaders are being slaughtered by their own unresolved issues and spiritual immaturity today.

I would think we would all be far less anxious to anoint or declare someone any role or title and much less ready to bestow a title upon ourselves. What purpose does it serve if the presence and power of the Lord are already present? I say seek the Lord and not leaders. Seek God and recognize that God is God enough to use anyone at any time as a guide, title or no. God’s choice to speak through a donkey did not make the donkey a Pastor, Preacher, Apostle, Bishop, or anything else… the donkey was still a donkey.

We need to get this straight: God’s presence, power, and provision are invoked by the “seeker” and NOT the “speaker”. You have the power fam… ever since that curtain in the inner most holy of holy’s was torn down… you have the authority and responsibility to BE the power and love of God wherever you are and with whomever you wish. I promise you, you don’t need a title for that.

5000 people in a church… and only 1 Pastor among them? We need to stop engendering this spectator sport mentality. We need to stop creating Christians who feel powerless without recognition and/or approval from the elite in the Body. I believe this is why so few Christians really study and understand the Bible. They’ve been convinced that’s only for Preachers, Teachers, Pastors etc…

Ultimately, we are all called to pastor, even if everyone is not to be “Pastors”. And in that way I am called to be a pastor, just as much as you and every other Christian is called. Just study to be ready and be available to God to do God's work wherever you might be. The only title that really matters is “Good and Faithful Servant.”

Thanks for listening. I hope that answered your question.