Problems with the position of pastor in charge of the Protestant Church

Problems with the position of pastor in charge of the Protestant Church

Protestant pastor positions vary from church to church, but generally have the following characteristics.

1. Powerful authority and responsibility, like a king?

The pastor in charge is almost like a 'king' in the church. It is basic to take responsibility for the spiritual part of the church members, and they have enormous authority, such as running the church and managing the finances. Especially in large churches, the decision of one pastor in charge determines everything in the church. Congregationalists often regard the pastor as God's agent and obey his words absolutely. That's why the pastor's power is so great that problems often occur.

2. What is your term of office, and can you pass it on to your child?

The term of office of the pastor in charge varies from church to church. Some churches ask for reappointment every few years, and some churches guarantee a permanent position. The problem is that in some churches, the pastor in charge will pass on the place to his children or relatives. This is a hugely controversial issue within the church, with members who oppose hereditary succession claiming that the church is not a personal property, and members who support hereditary succession claim that it is necessary for the stable operation of the church.

3. Can I worry less about money?

The pastor in charge of a large church receives a much higher reward than the general office worker. In addition, they often enjoy luxury company housing, vehicles, and various welfare benefits provided by the church. But not all the homeroom pastors are like that. In small churches and rural churches, there are many pastors who have difficulty living due to low honorariums. They even say that there are cases where they do pastoral work while working part-time.

4. I heard it has a great social influence.

The pastor in charge of a large church also exerts great social influence. They speak out on political and social issues and participate in social movements. There are even pastors who have close ties and influence with the political community. So some pastors are socially respected, but they are criticized for their political statements and actions.

5. Is there any ethical problem?

Unfortunately, ethical issues such as abuse of power, financial corruption, and sexual harassment by some homeroom pastors are also socially controversial. This problem often occurs because the internal check and monitoring system within the church does not work properly. So, efforts are continuing within Protestantism to strengthen the ethics of pastors. It is said that various efforts are being made, such as enacting a code of ethics for pastors and strengthening ethics education.

6. What should I do to become a pastor?

To become a pastor in charge, you must graduate from the Graduate School of Theology and be ordained as a pastor. And you should gain pastoral experience set by the denomination. The process of becoming a pastor in charge varies slightly from denomination to denomination, but generally, it must be strictly reviewed. Even after becoming a pastor, you should constantly develop yourself and serve the congregation.

7. How will the role of the pastor change in the future?

As society changes, the role of the church is also changing. In the future, the pastor will not only take responsibility for the spiritual part of the church members, but also actively participate in social issues and make the church a community that serves society. Also, the ability to communicate and empathize with the congregation will become more important.

8. What are the qualities that the pastor needs?

The pastor in charge should have various qualities such as management skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills, as well as spiritual leadership. Also, you need to constantly learn and grow. The most important thing is to love and serve the congregation.

9. What do you expect from your homeroom pastor?

The congregation expects the pastor to deliver God's words well and lead the church well. Also, I want you to take care of the needy congregation and show them serving society. Above all, I hope that the pastor in charge will take the initiative and set an example for the church members.

10. Is there a critical view of the pastor?

Sure. Some people criticize the pastor's power as too great, and some people criticize the ethical issues of some pastors. There are also some critics who criticize the church for not actively engaging in social issues. The pastor in charge should humbly accept this critical view and constantly reflect on himself.