It's not an easy feat to serve as an evangelical leader since such a leader is regarded as spiritual "game changer" who has answered a calling to bring people closer to God.
This was pointed out by Pastor Shane Idleman of Westside Christian Fellowship even as he noticed that America's churches have drifted off course and lost their compass of truth.
Nowadays, spiritual leaders care more about wine tasting and craft beers than truly seeking the heart of God, he said.
"Pastors, and Christian leaders alike, must take responsibility for the spiritual health of today's church, and the nation. We don't need more marketing plans, demographic studies, or giving campaigns; we need men filled with the Spirit of God," he stressed.
Idleman shared with The Christian Post five things that pastors must stop doing in other to navigate back to their right track.
The first thing Idleman noted is for pastors to stop watering down the gospel. "The truth is often watered-down in the hope of not offending members and building a large audience," he observed. "Judgment is never mentioned and repentance is rarely sought. We want to build a church rather than break a heart; be politically correct rather than biblically correct; coddle and comfort rather than stir and convict."
The second thing Idleman shared is to stop focusing only on encouragement. Sure, everybody needs encouragement, but Idleman said most people feel weighed down because they are not hearing enough about repentance. In order for pastors to truly help people, they must preach an equal dose of "difficult truths" and joyful ones.
Next, Idleman said pastors must stop getting their message from pop-psychology or the latest fad. "All of us must return to the prayer closet where brokenness, humility, and full surrender take place," he said. "God prepares the messenger before we prepare the message."
Fourth, Idleman said pastors must stop trying to be like the world. It's simply not possible for a pastor to fill his mind with worldly things and still be able to let the Spirit of God speak boldly through him. He suggested that pastors "unplug the TV, turn off Facebook, and get back into the Word, prayer, and worship."
Lastly, Idleman wants pastors to stop second-guessing their topics if it will offend their audience or not. Instead of caring more about audience perception, Idleman said pastors must bravely ask, "Will my silence offend God?"
