WHY HAVING A FAVORITE PASTOR IS A DANGEROUS THING

​With multiple pastors serving on the staff of a single church, and with thousands of sermons from hundreds of different preachers available to people through digital media, we run the risk of falling into a danger Paul addressed in the Corinthian church. That danger? Having a favorite pastor.

In my own ministry context, I am well aware of this phenomenon. While church attendees may try to be vague about it, there’s no mistaking when they’re expressing their pastoral preferences. Though it doesn’t come across as straightforward as, “I like you better than him,” or “I like him better than you,” we all know it might as well be said that brashly.

Having a favorite pastor was an issue faced by the church in the Corinth:

“My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’”

(1 Corinthians 1:11-12)

“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly – mere infants in Christ…You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings?.”

(1 Corinthians 3:1,3-4)

Do you see the issues? Christians in the church in Corinth were suffering from “Favorite Pastor Syndrome.” This was leading to quarrels, quiet back-biting, and disunity in the church. Paul charged those with “Favorite Pastor Syndrome” as being “worldly” and “infants in Christ.” “Favorite Pastor Syndrome” is characteristic of immature believers. Not a good thing!

While the mature Christian is appreciative of their gospel-preaching pastors, the conversation isn’t about which pastor they like the best. Instead, the conversation is about how their gospel-preaching pastors have helped them follow and love Jesus.

Paul’s conclusion on the matter? “…no more boasting about human leaders!” (1 Corinthians 3:21). Amen! 

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