Rich C. Shadden has been a pastor for over 10 years. He trains pastors through the local church pastoral residency at Audubon Park Baptist Church and through Bethlehem College & Seminary in Memphis, where he is an adjunct professor. He is coauthor of Shepherding the Pastor.
In the American church context, we sometimes put pastors on pedestals, creating a ministry culture in which the pastor is the center of attention. The result is that the pastor forgets he also needs the same nourishment as those under his care. I want to share some thoughts on preventing a culture of pastoral idolatry for healthy pastoral longevity.
