How to Spot a Self-Serving, Self-Promoting Pastor in Your Local Church
As the old, biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. And since the beginning of Creation, religious leaders have disguised themselves as shepherds of God's people but have done so for nothing more than self-seeking reasons. In the modern Evangelical corporatocracy, this is a trend that, regrettably, mirrors the ambition-driven machinations of corporate ladder climbers more than the humble servitude Christ exemplified.
Imagine a shepherd who views his local church not as a flock to safeguard with care and devotion but as a stepping stone, a mere resume enhancer for his ascent up the denominational hierarchy. This pastor, driven by a thirst for recognition among the ecclesiastical elite, doesn't hesitate to throw his own members under the bus if it means a boost to his status.
And such pastors, acting more like slick politicians than devoted guardians of biblical truth, are adept at telling different people individually what they want to hear when personally confronted on an issue, only to pivot and act in self-serving ways when decisive moments arise.
How can we identify these self-seeking pastors who prioritize their climb up the denominational ladder over the spiritual well-being of their church? Scripture, as always, provides us with a clear lens through which to discern the characteristics of such leaders who have fallen from the path of genuine leadership.
Pursuit of Personal Gain Over Spiritual Welfare
First and foremost, and probably the most obvious, is that these pastors often exhibit a blatant pursuit of personal gain. While we most often think of this in terms of financial gain, for example, those who hold to the prosperity gospel and push false teachings in pursuit of personal wealth, this is not the only self-seeking form of personal gain these charlatans can seek after.
In fact, these pastors may be very doctrinally sound in their preaching and teaching—even expressing disdain for false teachings such as the prosperity gospel—while blinded by their own pursuit of notoriety, status, or power. This subtler form of self-enrichment is equally damaging, as it shifts the shepherd’s focus from leading the flock towards spiritual growth to navigating the church environment as a platform for personal advancement.
The underlying danger here lies in the seductive quality of recognition and influence, which can easily masquerade as “blessings” or “favor,” thus making it challenging for congregations to discern the pastor's true intentions. Their skillful maneuvering within the denominational hierarchy often serves to further their own agendas under the guise of pursuing “greater opportunities for ministry,” thereby exploiting genuine desires for church growth and outreach to cloak their ambition.
Moreover, this quest for recognition frequently leads to a culture of performance over authenticity within the church community. Pastors caught in this web may prioritize high-profile projects, social media presence, or speaking engagements at the expense of pastoral care, discipleship, and deep theological teaching which not only divert resources and attention from the needs of the congregation but also set a precedent that values external success over internal spiritual health.
Lack of Genuine Love and Care for the Flock
The absence of authentic concern for their congregation's spiritual and personal needs is another glaring sign. Scripture instructs leaders to shepherd their flock eagerly and willingly, not for shameful gain (1 Peter 5:2-3, ESV). Yet, these ladder climbers show little interest in the flock's well-being, seeing them more as a means to an end rather than souls entrusted to their care.
This disconnection often manifests in a tangible distance between the pastor and the majority of the congregation. While they may maintain a veneer of accessibility, their interactions are typically superficial, lacking the depth of genuine pastoral care.
Members of the congregation who dare to raise concerns or question the direction of the church are quickly labeled as "contentious" or "quarrelsome," effectively silencing dissent and fostering an environment where genuine issues are swept under the rug. Instead of engaging with these concerns in a Christ-like manner, these pastors often choose to marginalize those who voice them, creating a divide within the church that prioritizes conformity over the health of the community.
In cases where members of their congregation face criticism or attack from outside or even within the church for standing up for the gospel, these self-serving leaders are notably absent from the battlefield. Their lack of defense for their flock in times of need is a neglect of the biblical duty to defend the sheep.