Pragmatism - To be pragmatic is to be someone who finds meaning or truth in the success of their actions rather than by principles. In other words, some people do certain things or behave certain ways because they get certain results. Some people not willing to be ruled by pragmatism are willing to forgo those results on the basis that they are not willing to abandon principles. When it comes to success in ministry, pragmatism is the tempting path that appeals to pastors who don't properly guard biblical principles.
Even though Paul doesn't use the word "pragmatism" in his letters, he is regularly talking about it in other ways. Consider for example what he says in 2 Corinthians 4:2, "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God." Throughout this second letter to Corinth, Paul seems to be defending a principled gospel ministry against the pragmatic nature of others around the church. There seems to be people saying that Paul is not successful because he doesn't command a great crowd. He doesn't seem to generate income from his speaking. He just doesn't seem to have a message that a greater number want to hear.
Paul has a determined commitment to a truth that doesn't always tickle the ears. He has a complete trust in God's power to use God's message through God's spirit to transform lives. If Paul's gospel is not successful, Paul doesn't need to question his strategies. In 2 Corinthians 4:3, Paul simply says this, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing." What Paul is saying is that the only way someone comes to an experience of saving truth is when God brings light to the spiritual blindness of a human heart. God saves, we don't. If God's message does not seem successful enough to you, maybe you should dare to tell God who he should save. As for Paul, he has one focus that he has made clear to the church of Corinth from the very beginning. 1Co 1:22-23 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.
Paul's goal is not to gain a great number of Jewish followers by giving them what they want. His goal is not to gain a great number of Greek followers by giving them what they want. He is about preaching the stumbling block and folly of a Savior crucified and risen as the only way of salvation. He preaches to both Jews and Greeks that they are sinners in need of this crucified Savior. He trusts God to work through the preaching of his word.
Today all-around faithful churches where there are pastors preaching the truth of the gospel, there are pragmatic pastors focused in on the perils of a success driven mentality. Quite frankly, it grieves me. But...I also want to avoid the peril of legalism. We can go from pragmatism to legalism when we make rules that are not in the Scriptures. We can dangerously lean on legalism as a reaction to pragmatism.
So, what are some areas where pastors/elders need to be careful not to lead churches into the perils of pragmatism without falling into the equal perils of legalism.
You might be letting pragmatism rule when....
- You avoid talking about sin and its consequences for the sake of not being offensive.
- You seek to say things in your sermon because you know your crowd will like it.
- You use music styles and lighting to draw a crowd without careful concern for theological accuracy or Christ-centered truth in the lyrics.
- Your music is more about drawing people in rather than edification in the gospel and the encouragement of voices raised to God in praise and prayer.
- You raise up teachers based on their motivational capacity rather than their commitment to God's truth, elder-like qualifications, and heart for God's people.
- You avoid certain passages of Scripture because they are hard to hear or difficult to understand.
- You place more emphasis on your strategies than God working through the ministry of his word - especially the gospel.
- You forsake meaningful church membership for fear that accountability to church purity will drive people away.
- You allow egalitarian demands to overrule God's design for biblical manhood and womanhood in the church and family.
- You forsake prayer and reliance on God in your ministry for more confidence in your own time and efforts.
- You avoid your own accountability for the sake of getting things done.
While there are obviously a lot more areas we could list where pragmatism may rule, I simply want to suggest we all start right here - Please pray for your pastor not to be ruled by pragmatism. Temptations for "success" in ministry can be real and we truly need your prayer. Please lovingly encourage your pastor that real success is found in obedience to God and His word. The best encouragement you can give to a faithful preaching ministry is your own personal faith in Christ and continual transformation into the image of Christ.