Christian Without Pastor (CWP)

/heart to heart/

Some people are born again, attend a church with a leader, listen to the preacher’s words, and yet do not have a pastor. Consciously or unconsciously, they do not recognize the man behind the pulpit as their Pastor. In fact, they accept no one in that role. Sooner or later, however, this can lead to significant harm in their spiritual life and even in the church’s life. Such individuals may risk losing their salvation and potentially become God-haters.

I invite you, the reader, to examine your heart and figure out whether you have your Pastor. If you do, that is wonderful. But if you do not, consider accepting the one God has appointed for you!

If you take it personally, this message could save your life. The dangers are many. Like a roaring lion, the devil prowls around, searching for someone to devour. He never ceases plotting. His “latest invention” is called the “Christian Without a Pastor,” or CWP. He aims to make you one. Please do not allow him to succeed!

What is a Christian Without a Pastor?

A Christian without a Pastor is an absurdity. Yet it exists. What is a CWP?

First, CWP is proud. Even if he does not realize it, he is. He does not accept anyone, be it even an anointed of God giving him a “tone in life.” He does not think he needs a Pastor. He wants his church to have a pastor. He wants everything “to be right.” someone has to lead the services and preach… CWP, however, does not come under the pastor’s spiritual authority. This person does not realize that the authority of the pastor not only requires obedience but also means providing spiritual nourishment, protection from spiritual dangers, guidance, and enabling ministry.

If a Christian does not accept the man whom God has appointed as the leader of his church as his Pastor, the main reason is his pride.

Second, CWP has their own view of things. They are full of prejudice and resist any attempt to change. A church where the people, especially the leaders, do not accept their pastor’s essential vision is bound to split. Even if it is not overt, it’s ripe and standing like a sword of Damocles, ready to come down on the church.

Third, CWP does not eat a complete diet. He does not realize or admit it, but he is a lamb that needs to graze. Sheep follow their Pastor because he leads them to green pastures and clear waters. CWP follows the Pastor along with the other sheep. He wants to be part of the flock. Unlike them, however, he refuses to eat – refuses to “graze and drink.” He is spiritually sick. He’ll either sleep through the sermon or reject it – he’ll say that the Pastor shouldn’t preach what he preaches, but something else, and not in the way he preaches it, but in a completely different way. Or, as he listens, he’ll say to himself, “That’s right, I wish Brother X or Sister Y had heard these words so they’d start treating me the way they should…”. He takes the Word as if it were addressed to someone else, not to himself. Thus, CWP is spiritually malnourished and begins to allow the devil (as one sister said) to “mess with” him and use him.

Some CWPs do not attend church regularly but only occasionally, like going to the movies, to see their friends, and to “learn something new.”

Fourth, CWP cultivates a critical attitude toward his pastor and fellow brothers and sisters. He is perpetually dissatisfied with everything and can never be pleased. He dislikes something about the church, be it the praise, the prayer, the sermon, or the pastor’s wife.

Fifth, CWP wants to assert himself, but he is very stubborn. He always wants his way; if he does not get his way, he begins protesting loudly. He seeks to exert spiritual control despite lacking the spiritual maturity, competence, or empowerment to do so.

Sixth, CWP lacks a genuine spiritual ministry within the church. A person cannot serve in a church without being under the authority of its pastor. If a person is CWP, there is no place to stand because there is no Pastor to truly pastor him.

Seventh, CWP is resistant to change. He has no intention of repenting. He’s toughened, and that’s the frightening aspect of being CWP.

What Are the Dangers for The Christian Without Pastor?

CWP is vulnerable from all sides. There is a danger for him:

Allowing bitterness (a lasting discontent) to rise within us gives way to rage, anger, shouting, blasphemy, and malice—all “works of the flesh” that the Word warns us to deny. It can lead to stopping church attendance, being assimilated by the world, living in constant sin, and ultimately losing one’s salvation.
To create division by turning his other brothers and sisters in Christ against the pastor and his supporters.
To allow himself to be led astray and become a carrier of false teachings, such as those of Jehovah’s Witnesses, false prophets, and prosperity gospel preachers. Then, he tries to draw others along with him, and if they are also CWPs, they are likely to follow. However, if they are not CWPs but Christians with a pastor, they will share their experiences with him, discuss their encounters with false brethren, and discuss their questions and the books offered. These “Christians With a Pastor” will warn the CWP and help them stay safe.
To become a rebel and gossip – from a CWP (Christian without a pastor) to becoming a CAP (Christian against the pastor), i.e., worse and an unbeliever…
If a church’s leaders are, or become CWPs, there is a real danger that the church will be without a pastor. A church without a pastor is like a wedding without a bride!

There is a particular “trust” between the pastor and the congregants, especially between the pastor and the church leaders. This “credit of trust” gives the pastor the mandate or authority to serve them. However, when this trust evaporates for any reason, it triggers a rejection from the congregation toward the pastor, making it impossible for him to serve in that church. Consequently, ministry becomes meaningless as the pastor loses faith that the congregants will ever change. As a result, he leaves it…

The dangers of a Christian becoming a CWP are numerous, genuine, and profound. The consequences they often lead to are irreversible! Therefore, let us not allow ourselves to be so!

How Can a Christian Without A Pastor Stop To Be One?

Is it possible for a CWP to become aware and become a Christian with a pastor, i.e., a normal Christian? I think so. However, it is very difficult because CWPs are generally not open to change. But there is no impossible thing for God!

Two things are needed for such a transformation or change to occur: repentance and renewal of mind.

Repentance

A CWP must repent to survive spiritually and be fruitful to those around him.

First, it means making him aware – to test his heart and see if he is CWP or not. This is very easy to understand as long as a person answers the following questions:

Do I have respect for the pastor of my church?
Do I believe he is genuinely called and appointed by God to fulfill this critical role?
Do I believe he has the guidance of the Holy Spirit and knows what he is doing?
Is God speaking to me through his sermons?
Do I pray for him regularly?
Do I submit to his authority even when I think he is wrong?
Do I consult him?
When I am sick, do I seek him to anoint me with oil and pray for me?
Do I embrace his vision for the church and am I working to implement it?
Do I tithe in church? (Tithing is not determinative, but it is indicative.)

If the answers to these questions are negative, then you definitely need repentance!

Second, once a person has realized that he is a CWP, he must confess his wrong attitude to God and ask for forgiveness:

First, from God – for his pride, hardness of heart, rejection of His Word; for not fulfilling his ministry; for not allowing God to work in him up to this point.
Second, from the church Pastor, for his critical attitude toward him and for the disrespect and insult he had shown him.

Renewal of the Mind

A CWP who has come to his senses and wants to become a Christian with a pastor (HSP – Healthy Spiritual Person) must renew his mind according to the Bible’s teaching on the subject:

First, He must realize that the pastor is in the church for his benefit (not material, but spiritual!). He is there to:

teach him the biblical truths that are the key to true happiness;
to advise him how to act when he does not know what to do – to give him guidance and advice;
to direct him to the ministry to which God has called him;
to guard him from “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and from cunning workers who masquerade as ministers of righteousness, i.e., from delusion;
pray for him and anoint him with oil when he is sick;
to marry him if he has decided to marry and even to bury him if he passes to the Lord…

Second, He needs to change his attitude toward sermons. Not just to sleep through them or to blink through them, but as he listens, he should continually ask himself, “What does God want to say to me personally? What does He want to teach me? What does He want to change in me?” He brings his Bible, highlights the verses, and even takes notes if necessary. One should expect God to speak to him through his Pastor. This is one of the most common ways of receiving God’s guidance.

Third, You should establish contact with your Pastor. Invite him to visit and engage him in conversation about various topics after the service or during his available days; be responsive when the pastor needs help with tasks. The best connections are formed through joint ministry. As one transitions from CWP to Christian with a Pastor, one must become a member of the church if he has not already done so; then, one must take responsibility by becoming part of one of its ministries.

Fourth, You need to change your attitude toward your Pastor. Please do not think he was in the church accidentally or by a strange coincidence. He must realize that the Pastor is God’s servant, God’s man, God’s steward, to whom God has entrusted His flock and is responsible for preserving the purity of gospel doctrine. Let there be respect and reverence, if for nothing else, then at least for the calling with which God has placed this man in ministry!

Be A Normal Christian!

I believe this message is from the Holy Spirit and originates from the heart of God. God wants to warn us about Satan’s intentions, about his specific plan to turn normal believers into pastor-less Christians and thus cut them off from the local church and turn them into apostates. Let us not ignore God’s warning! Let us humble ourselves and examine our hearts. Making a mistake and falling prey to the devil is not shameful. What is disgraceful is to keep on sinning, to remain in captivity to Satan, and to keep allowing him to work in you. Today is the day to realize that you know what a CWP is and how serious its spiritual dangers are. Examine yourself. If you are in this situation, do not despair; there is a way out for your deliverance! Repent! Seek forgiveness from God and your Pastor, and begin renewing your mind today! Do not be a CWP; be a Christian with a Pastor! Be a healthy Christian!