The Economic Squeeze
The economic squeeze can lead to bad spiritual leadership in churches, as pastors may be reluctant to take a strong moral stance due to financial struggles.
A.W. Tozer addresses the challenges faced by pastors due to financial constraints, emphasizing that many ministers are underpaid and burdened by the needs of their families. He warns that the economic squeeze can lead to a reluctance to provide strong moral leadership, as pastors may fear financial repercussions from their congregations. Tozer highlights that withholding leadership can inadvertently lead the flock away from spiritual growth. He encourages pastors to remain faithful and courageous in their ministry despite these pressures, and he prays for God's provision and faithfulness in their lives.
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But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. --2 Timothy 4:5
A number of factors contribute to bad spiritual leadership....
The economic squeeze. The Protestant ministry is notoriously underpaid and the pastor's family is often large. Put these two facts together and you have a situation ready-made to bring trouble and temptation to the man of God. The ability of the congregation to turn off the flow of money to the church when the man in the pulpit gets on their toes is well known. The average pastor lives from year to year barely making ends meet. To give vigorous moral leadership to the church is often to invite economic strangulation, so such leadership is withheld. But the evil thing is that leadership withheld is in fact a kind of inverted leadership. The man who will not lead his flock up the mountainside leads it down without knowing it. God Tells the Man Who Cares, 61-62.
"Lord, again I pray for any pastor who may be facing this economic squeeze today. Help him to be faithful and give strong leadership no matter the cost. Then, Lord, I pray that even today You would grant one of Your special, generous provisions as a powerful reminder of Your great faithfulness. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Bad Spiritual Leadership
- The Consequences of Withholding Leadership
- The Need for Faithful Leadership
- Prayer for Pastors
- God's Provision
Key Quotes
“The ability of the congregation to turn off the flow of money to the church when the man in the pulpit gets on their toes is well known.” — A.W. Tozer
“To give vigorous moral leadership to the church is often to invite economic strangulation,” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Pastors should be faithful and give strong leadership despite financial struggles.
- Churches should prioritize supporting their pastors financially to avoid the economic squeeze.
- God can provide special provisions to remind us of His faithfulness.