By Cynthia Woolever
Worshipers grant the pastor some level of authority as their designated leader. What is the basis for that recognition? Jackson Carroll addresses that question and the nature of authority in his most recent book, As One With Authority (second edition, 2011).[i] The authority to lead gives the pastor the right to exercise power in a particular group or institution. Carroll asserts that there are at least two bases for pastoral authority: (1) that which arises as a representative of the sacred; and (2) that which stems from expertise, gifts, and capabilities. As long as the group acknowledges the leader’s legitimate right to exercise power, the leader is acting with authority.
In his earlier work, God’s Potters (2006), Carroll describes pastoral ministry as an occupation in flux.[ii] He believes there are three views of ministry but that they are not mutually exclusive. Rather each model focuses on a particular feature of pastoral leadership that its proponents believe is the most important characteristic for defining a church leader. The first model sees pastoral leadership as an office, a formal or official position with specific duties. A congregation or denomination makes the role sacred through the rites of ordination. The second model views ministry as a profession, carried out by ordained professionals, who are socialized into the field through seminary education and training. The third model of pastoral ministry holds that ministry is a calling. This model gives emphasis to the spiritual dimension of pastoral leadership, essentially affirming that God selects or calls certain individuals to carry out ministry.
Faith traditions vary in how they view authority issues in ministry. Some tend to reference infallible Scripture or the teaching office as the source of pastoral authority. Other groups emphasize individuals’ personal knowledge of God and the inner conviction that God has called those people to ministry.
We asked pastoral leaders about several factors that might influence the congregation’s acceptance of their leadership. How important are the following four characteristics in how worshipers view their leadership: (1) being ordained (relates to ministry as office); (2) having a seminary degree or certificate (relates to ministry as profession); (3) having a clear sense of call from God (relates to ministry as calling); and (4) being competent in the tasks of ministry, including preaching (relates to ministry as profession)?
Ministry as Office
Almost all Catholic priests (95%) indicate that being ordained is of “great importance” for their current congregation’s acceptance of their leadership. Three out of four mainline Protestant pastors (74%) also say that ordination is of great importance for their congregation’s acceptance. However, less than half of conservative Protestant pastors (40%) report that ordination is of great importance to their congregation. A similar percentage of conservative Protestant pastors (42%) say ordination is “somewhat important” for their congregation.
Ministry as Profession
Pastors are close to unanimous in affirming that their expertise, gifts, and capabilities are a source of their ministry authority. Nine out of ten pastors—regardless of faith tradition—say that being competent in the tasks of ministry, including preaching, is of great importance for their congregation’s acceptance of their authority.
Pastors see seminary training as less related to gaining congregational acceptance for their leadership. About half of Catholic priests (50%) and mainline Protestant pastors (59%) report that a seminary degree or certificate is of great importance for their leadership role. Only one in four conservative Protestant pastors (25%) believe that a seminary degree or certificate is of great importance for their ministry authority.
Ministry as Calling
As one might expect, conservative Protestant pastors give considerable weight to pastoral leadership based on a sense of God’s call. Most of these pastors (85%) believe that a clear sense of call from God is of great importance for the congregation’s acceptance of their leadership. While a sense of call is important for Catholic priests and mainline Protestant pastors, it is much less so. About two out of three in these groups (69% for Catholic priests; 63% for mainline Protestant pastors) respond that a sense of call is of great importance for their pastoral authority in the congregation.
Respecting Leadership Authority: Competency Comes First
Catholic priests see their authority arising from their ordination (office) and capabilities (profession). Mainline Protestant pastors believe their authority rests on their competencies (profession) and slightly less so on their ordination (office). Conservative Protestant pastors portray their authority as stemming from their ministry competencies first, closely followed by their call from God (calling).
These results support Carroll’s thesis that the three models of ministry are not mutually exclusive. Pastors draw on multiple sources of authority as they serve congregations. In this time when many question all authority, pastors need to claim the historical roots of their authority:
“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he
taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
Matthew 7:28-29
priests see their authority arising from their ordination (office) and capabilities (profession). Mainline Protestant pastors believe their authority rests on their competencies (profession) and slightly less so on their ordination (office). Conservative Protestant pastors portray their authority as stemming from their ministry competencies first, closely followed by their call from God (calling).
These results support Carroll’s thesis that the three models of ministry are not mutually exclusive. Pastors draw on multiple sources of authority as they serve congregations. In this time when many question all authority, pastors need to claim the historical roots of their authority:
“And when Jesus finished these sayings,
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profession). Mainline Protestant pastors believe their authority rests on their competencies (profession) and slightly less so on their ordination (office). Conservative Protestant pastors portray their authority as stemming from their ministry competencies first, closely followed by their call from God (calling).
These results support Carroll’s thesis that the three models of ministry are not mutually exclusive. Pastors draw on multiple sources of authority as they serve congregations. In this time when many question all authority
Posted by: Uggs on Sale | 12/16/2011 at 03:49 AM