off mission

I had a discussion the other day with a person who was upset because they thought their pastor was off-mission.  This can be a problem from time to time.  Pastors, like all of us, need to stay on mission.  So, let's begin with, "what is our mission?"  At Woods Chapel we describe our mission as "Connecting people to Jesus Christ."  The official United Methodist mission statement is "Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

So, there are a gazillon ways that pastors can get off mission.  Here are a few.

• They don’t come to the office - robbing staff and parishioners of personal time with them.
• They don’t work hard or are lazy.  Surprisingly I hear this a lot.
• They have chosen to focus on random theological issue or a social issue over connecting people to Jesus Christ.
• They are pushing  the theology of a different denomination.
• Not answering emails
• Not following IRS or church procedures
• Not doing what the DS asks of them
• Not going to the hospital
• Not doing funerals
• Spending all the church's money
• Building too much
• Random moral failures
• Being mean or rude to people
• Employing family or friends
• Withholding information from others
• Insisting on a parking spot next to the front door
• Anyway that it becomes about me -

Maybe your pastor is off mission, and maybe there is more to the story.  I don't know.  Go talk with him or her.  Sharing information is always a good thing.  If I am ever off mission, will one of you please come tell me?

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.