News of author and pastor Rob Bell leaving the church he founded, Mars Hill in Michigan, has set off another round of tweets and updates in the Christian blogosphere and Twitterverse. While this particular flare-up doesn’t seem to carry the particularly nasty tone of the whole Love Wins controversy, a few prominent church leaders have already taken to their keyboards with harsh words (which I won’t be quoting here).
While the cynic in me wants to wipe the dust of this latest Christian dust-up off my feet, particularly in light of some of the important national and geopolitical happenings this week, this news raises some significant issues for the Church and how we’re called to be the people of God together (part two to come later this week).
The Nature of Online Communication
Critics of Twitter might use this conflagration as “evidence” of the shallowness of trying to communicate meaningfully in 140 characters or less. However, I would argue that Twitter — as with much technology — is a neutral platform which can be used in either positive or negative ways. Personally, I have benefited greatly from participating in communities who have been strengthened through online communication platforms such as Twitter.
Embodied presence is irreplaceable, and yet, I have developed a handful of meaningful friendships with people in far-flung places whom I have yet to meet (and might never meet) in person, with whom I communicate primarily through Twitter.
In many ways, the problem is not necessarily with the brevity of Twitter, but mimicking the talking-head, sound-bite, shouting, red-faced punditry of the broader culture.
Online, as in face-to-face communication, we would be wise to follow the guidance of Scripture:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
The Nature of Pastoral Ministry
Rob Bell’s announcement, along with a handful of other prominent pastors who have moved on from their churches, also raises important questions about what it means to be a pastor and why it matters. More on this later in the week…
headsparks* 
With all judgment aside, it saddens me to see people that have led large gatherings of people to leave the ministry in pursuit of other things. To the outside world–of which I was part of for 37 years–it gives the sense people are leaving for greener pastures of fame or notoriety. From my view of the inside world, it seems like the local church loses.
As I don’t want to be judgmental, I agree that this could all be part of God’s greater plan and he may raise up others to lead and shepherd his people in the absence of people such as Chan and Bell. However, I can’t help but mourn the exodus I see happening from the local church and look forward to your continual insight to bring clarity to my (usually) short-sighted viewpoints. Thanks for posting as I respect your perspectives of grace!
Dave – Thanks for sharing from your heart. I always appreciate the honesty and very much resonate with what you’ve written. Can’t say I have much insight, but I’m glad to know I’m not alone!
One pastor’s opinion: given how much he was beat-up and maligned over the last year in regard to Love Wins, I’m surprised he still intends to engage with Christians! While I agree with others who’ve described the strengths of having a voice with and as part of a church, the flip-side is that the church is often not a safe place for any pastor asking questions that push boundaries, speaking prophetically or challenging people to embrace a different kind of Christianity than the one they’re living comfortably in the suburbs. In short, the first step to changing the relationship of pastors to churches is changing the relationship of churches to pastors.
Hello Chris – Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I was also grieved to see how the Love Wins conversation devolved so quickly into angry rants and name-calling.
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I think you raise a really important question: How can we, as pastors, find a right mix (I wouldn’t necessarily call it a “balance”) of pastoral and prophetic ministries, since both are necessary and vital in helping people to grow as followers of Christ?
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Whatever the case, we have to start moving away from our unhealthy consumeristic tendencies — if a church’s expectation of the pastor is simply to deliver religious goods & services, I can’t see any room for prophetic voice (whether from the pastor, or any Christian in that community).