Ten Ways to Kill a Church - Damage Pastors Can Do

Ten ways pastors kill, wound, maim, destroy both people and churches. These are some thoughts based on personal observations - in no particular order - and not referencing any one particular person.

Fortunately, most pastors and leaders do not commit these cardinal sins. I've been in several excellent churches where this sort of thing doesn't happen... ever. If it did, the church board would quickly take care of the pastor in question. Unfortunately, if you have a church without a board and a sovereign system of hierarchy, abusive pastors can take hold.

If you're in a church like this - pray about what God would have you do. If you're the pastor - repent! God has a much better way for you to lead by following Him in all things.

#1 - Have your lay leaders do almost everything. Tell people that YOU do everything (after all, you're the pastor) and that no one ever helps with church work. When your leaders want to do something innovative, don't let them. Or, grudgingly allow them to do it (without help from the pastor, of course - you were against it to begin with!) When the event is over, publicly berate them, even if things go well with the project. Promise your church leadership that something is available/will be done. A few days later, tell them they're foolish to expect it. Don't meet with your associate pastor, youth pastor, or lay leaders regularly. Talk about mentoring the other pastors and leaders, because they obviously need it! Don't bother to make the time to actually do it. (They'll know you care because you really "want" to meet with them!) Never check to be sure that the doctrine being preached by the other pastors and teachers actually matches the doctrine of your church, or even the basics of Christianity.