What's it Take to be Fired?

BP has an article about pastoral staff dismissals over the last year. Throughout the over 40,000 Southern Baptist churches in America, 1,300 pastors were canned. What are the top five reasons for firing a pastor (any position)?

1. Control Issues - Who's going to run the church? Well, for starters, Christ. But after him, it's the pastor. Before all of my Baptist brothers scream "Congregationalism!" let me preface by saying, yes, the church votes, etc. However, final authority should always, in my opinion, be left up to the pastor. Additionally, he should go along with what the church votes on unless its unbibilical or unethical. This is sad. The inability to get along with anyone is generally because one person is acting in sin. Take for instance the relationship between me and my pastor. If we don't get along about an idea, I humbly follow his lead, since he is the pastor. What's hard about that? The problem is that too many pastors get worked up over methadology then baptizing and discipling. As a result, selfish pride ends up contributing to the number one reason for getting fired by a church. Another problem is the 'board of deacons' (unbiblical) is often constituted by men who should not be in that position. My church is not like this, fortunately.

2. Poor People Skills - This is also sad. I don't know what to say about this other then pastors need to try to talk to their members instead of holing themselves up in their studies all day long.

3. Churches' Resistance to Change - Not surprising. Not much to say here other then pastors - take it slow and don't push.
4. Leadership style being too strong - this is all probably relative. What is 'too strong?'

5. Churches already in conflict when pastor arrives - always a tough situation.

There a couple of disturbing trends. For the first time ever, Sexual Misconduct cracked the top 10 at number 8. The internet has enabled sexual misconduct to become more prevelant in churches. Before the internet, to be fired for sexual misconduct meant the pastor did one of a few things. Now, "sexual misconduct" could include a wide number of activities, thanks to the WWW. Even so, this is a sin that is killing the convention and seems to be on the rise. Accountability is a must.

Disagreement over Doctrine entered the top 20 for the first time at no. 12. I feel quite strongly that this has something to do with the rise of Calvinistic influence in the convention. A lot of this could be cured if pastors and staff were upfront about their beliefs when talking to pulpit committees.

All in all, it's always interesting, and disturbing, to hear about what is costing pastors their positions.