Pastoral Ministry: The Temptation to Turn Stones into Bread

David Hansen (The Art of Pastoring) writes that in ministry we are often tempted to turn "stones into bread" (Matt 4:1-7). We are tempted to take shortcuts to accomplish ministry, or to pander to people's desires for ministry. Hansen writes that there are three areas in which we can be tempted to take the shortcuts - to have a significant ministry (often identified in terms of numbers attending).

1. We are tempted to provide entertainment instead of leading God's people in worship. It is a shortcut that can attract numbers, but there is no participation of the congregation in worship of God. They miss the opportunity to participate in true worship. It is possible that if we emphasize true worship instead of entertainment, the church might actually shrink until it is made up of people who really want to worship.

2. We are tempted to provide management instead of leadership. Too often people want things managed, but don't want to be led. We look for some program that we can plug in that will bring success to the church (and there are plenty of programs). As an undershepherd we are called upon to lead the sheep that belong to The Shepherd, but that is hard work. It means staying in tune with the Shepherd to know what he desires for the flock that we serve, and to understand that sometimes (often) we are called to lead the flock into areas that they do not wish to go.

3. We are tempted to do counseling instead of discipleship (please note - this is not intended to be an attack on counselors). Too often people want the shortcut of counseling - fix my problem so that I can get on with living and feel better. What is really needed is discipleship, learning to follow Christ and live out the reality of the Christian life through the full spectrum of life's experiences. Discipleship takes time.

Jesus was tempted to take the shortcut and jump off the building, perhaps to excite the people. We are often tempted to turn stones into bread, but end up crippling the sheep whom we are called to shepherd. "The soul of the church is being lost to a pandering pastorate.... Jesus knew what would happen if he left the Way of the Cross for the cheap shortcut. If he jumped off the temple, he would crash on the cobblestones below. The devil is a liar" (p. 76).