Four ways pastoring today is different than 30 years ago

Times are a-changing.

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By Margaret Feinberg

Over the last 30 years, the job descriptions for pastors have shifted. While preaching and teaching are still standards for most pastors, some church leaders are discovering that their roles are evolving as the expectations and needs of their congregations change. What is different about younger evangelical pastors today than a generation before them? Here are a few trends to consider:

Use of technology
One of the biggest shifts is the use of technology. With the age of the Internet, pastors found themselves with a whole new world in which to communicate with their congregations, share their messages, and interact with their world. Today, many pastors use email, Twitter, blogging, and Facebook as tools for pastoring.
A pastor in Denver, Colorado, describes Facebook and Myspace as an effective way to keep up with members of his church. On a Sunday morning, he may ask a member how they’re doing. They’ll claim everything is great, but Facebook will reveal a completely different story. Because the pastor is friends on Facebook, he has the ability to bring up the issue online and in person. The idea of virtual pastoring is becoming more prevalent.

A community of believers
Another trend that is emerging in many churches is a shift from a monologue to a dialogue approach to leadership. Rather than a single person taking the pulpit and carrying the responsibilities, communities are developing a more inclusive and experiential fellowship where the church body responds as a body. Often this translates into a team approach to leadership and fulfilling the roles – pastor, teacher, prophet – of a church.
Within this setting, some pastors of even large congregations are finding themselves as connectors. They are constantly raising up new believers, encouraging active participation, and engaging members to serve and worship as followers of Jesus. This dedication to building a community of believers may mean that a pastor recommends a particular counselor rather than trying to counsel individuals himself. As a result, the pastor can encourage members to pursue their passions and develop the gifts God has given them.

Entrepreneurial hat
A number of young pastors describe themselves as wearing an entrepreneurial hat. They recognize that some of the things that were working in the church are no longer, and they’re committed to developing new approaches, practices, and tactics. They’re willing to take risks, try new things, and think outside the box in the way they share the gospel and build community.
Innovation is a hallmark of many pastors wearing the entrepreneurial hat. Whether growing a network of multi-site churches, planting a new church in an under-reached area, or using technology to draw people into the church, they are willing to go where others haven’t gone before in order to reach those who haven’t heard the Gospel before.

Spiritual shopping
One of the challenges that is emerging with young pastors is the spiritual shopping of many believers and seekers. Because of the high mobility of our culture, people are constantly on the move. The idea of living in the same town, let alone the same area of town, is becoming a foreign concept for millions. Meanwhile, the consumerism found throughout our culture is seeping into the church.
Christians are becoming choosy about church and their spiritual shopping sprees are challenging for church leaders. If a church isn’t meeting a person’s needs, they’re likely to leave and simply keep on shopping. Or if a person is challenged in an area where they need to grow, they may opt for the easy solution: switch churches. The result is that many pastors are struggling to keep church members long enough to grow them into disciples of Christ.