Mark Driscoll claims that some of our churches are led by men who are not the best men for the job – and should not be guaranteed continuing on in ministry just because they have a degree from seminary. As uncomfortable this might make us feel – I think that Driscoll is on to something. What do you think?
Toward the end of my seminary training my mission's professor, Richard De Ridder, lamented how one of our graduates had lost his passion for the lost. While at seminary he had a deep desire to follow the great commission, reach the lost, disciple the found, and be part of a growing church. Some years after graduation this man had settled into a church which was in maintenance mode. And he was satisfied with that. Ministry had become comfortable. But the lost were not being reached and hence no conversion growth. Even the found were not being discipled. And the church was in decline.
This reality is multiplied in many of our Australian churches. What if we take Driscoll's advice and merit ministers based upon their ministry performance? How many of us are willing to be evaluated on the basis of our fruitfulness in ministry? And what if our tenure in a church is dependent upon the outcome of our evaluations? Is this too radical? How does this fit into our understanding of ordination? What about the sovereignty of God? Let me know what you think?