Home Grown

One of the questions that I am commonly asked is “How long have you been at Manchester Community Church?” Because I grew up in our church, this poses an interesting dilemma. Do I say, “just under 30 years”: which would seem weird when probably the question they are asking is “How long have you been Senior Pastor?” (and I am only 36 as of this writing). Or do I say “since 1993” which was when I started seminary and became an “Assistant Pastor in training” (sometime ask me why the lower case “t” was important at the time). Or perhaps I could go back to 1996 when I was ordained...or 1999 when I became Senior Pastor. All good choices, depending on what the real question was.

Inevitably, this brings up a second question: “Isn’t it really tough to preach and lead at the church where you grew up?” The more biblically grounded have even asked, “doesn’t the Bible say that a prophet is without honor in his own country?” I have even known those who feel it is inappropriate for a pastor to shepherd the church that he grew up in and use this text as their justification in reaching this conclusion. It is this concern that I will try to answer in this blog.

The fullest version of this saying is found in Mark 6:4: But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

Why did Jesus say this? What does it mean? I want to begin with what it does not mean:

1. This does not mean: “It is not honorable to be a prophet in his own country…”

Jesus spent most of his years of ministry in and around Nazareth where he grew up. If being around those who already knew Him was less than the best, Jesus would not have done it.

2. This does not mean: “Ministry is not possible among a prophet’s own people…” either.

In John 4, Jesus performs a notable miracle just after mentioning the lack of honor for a prophet in their home town.

Although Jesus was ignored and at times even slighted by his family, after His resurrection, Jesus made a special appearance to His brothers, one of whom (James) became a great leader in the early church.

3. Perhaps most importantly: This does not mean: “A pastor is not without honor except in his own country, among his relatives, and in his own house.”

There is an important difference between a pastor (elder/bishop) and a prophet. The prophet was to be the mouthpiece of God – to proclaim new revelation to God’s people in a specific situation. When the people did not want to hear this message the response was usually persecution, sometimes death. Add to this the natural feelings of “who does this whipper-snapper think that he is…I’ve known him since he was in diapers! (or the New Testament equivalent)” and the result is a lack of respect: “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” (Matthew 13:54-56) Unlike the typical prophet, a pastor is called to explain and to live (an important form of explanation) the word of God to his people.

A prophet (in the Old Testament sense) mostly declares the judgment of God to people who do not desire to follow Him (note Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.) A pastor mostly declares the desire of God to a people who love Him and desire to follow Him. These are two completely different roles. A prophet in his own home may not have the best reception, but a pastor at his home church has a unique position of knowledge and trust.

For me personally, ministering at the church in which I grew up has been a huge blessing. There has never been a “me” vs. “them” attitude between myself and the elders (translate “deacons” in a Baptist context). I already know most of the people’s strengths, weaknesses, gifts, desires for the church, and expectations for their pastor. Plus they trust me because they know me. My history is their history.

One last consideration, in the New Testament the passages that discuss the ordination of elders/pastors, the assumption appears to be that these men will be chosen from the church that knows them and that they will remain there (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:22; Titus 1:5). “Missionary” appointments (e.g. Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:2,3) are never called pastors/elders; and when they are set apart they are set apart to go, not stay.

This does not mean that everybody has to go the route that I have chosen and stay at the church where they grew up. I am sure that many really good things could be said for going where no one knows your past (especially if it demonstrably detracts from your present). I believe that the wise pastor will do whatever he can to hear God’s special call to a specific location and to diligently and lovingly serve wherever God puts him.