By the 1960's and 70's there was a split in preaching styles, some churches stayed with what they knew for years, while others branched off trying to staunch the hemorrhage of young people. Unfortunately this created preaching styles that still exist today. When and if choosing an institutional church you should consider avoiding the following types of pastors.
1 I'm OK Your OK- This was a secular psychological movement from the late 1960's, but really hit its main stride in the 1970's. This is bad for church attendance especially if the church makes a dramatic change. If you aren't used to having a pastor who thinks everything's oK and right this can leave you confused.
2 The attractional pastor- Similar to I'm OK your OK this one wants rears in pews, and is willing to compromise more traditional values to bring younger or more liberal people in.
3 The unrelatible pastor- This one claims perfection, and is not afraid to say it, and how your all filthy sinners. This one has the holier than thou thing perfected, and is unaware of his/her own faults, and is offended when he/she has them pointed out.
I have told of the ones to avoid. Now lets look at the other end of the spectrum. You yourself may have experienced this.
1 The educator- This pastor doesn't rely on flash or buzz words, but relies on teaching as well as preaching. What is really great about this one is he/she generally is open to suggestions and often gets the comment at the end of the sermon "I've never thought of Matthew that way."
2 The Interactive- Like the educator this one likes to promote thought among the congregants, but also encourages a level playing field allowing things such as questions from the congregants, participation in sermons, and the congregants to have say in how worship goes.
3 The Open pastor- This one is honest, as all pastors should be, but is brutally honest about E.G. the fact that when he was in high school he got a girl pregnant, or how she had an addiction to diet pills.
Gillie
1 I'm OK Your OK- This was a secular psychological movement from the late 1960's, but really hit its main stride in the 1970's. This is bad for church attendance especially if the church makes a dramatic change. If you aren't used to having a pastor who thinks everything's oK and right this can leave you confused.
2 The attractional pastor- Similar to I'm OK your OK this one wants rears in pews, and is willing to compromise more traditional values to bring younger or more liberal people in.
3 The unrelatible pastor- This one claims perfection, and is not afraid to say it, and how your all filthy sinners. This one has the holier than thou thing perfected, and is unaware of his/her own faults, and is offended when he/she has them pointed out.
I have told of the ones to avoid. Now lets look at the other end of the spectrum. You yourself may have experienced this.
1 The educator- This pastor doesn't rely on flash or buzz words, but relies on teaching as well as preaching. What is really great about this one is he/she generally is open to suggestions and often gets the comment at the end of the sermon "I've never thought of Matthew that way."
2 The Interactive- Like the educator this one likes to promote thought among the congregants, but also encourages a level playing field allowing things such as questions from the congregants, participation in sermons, and the congregants to have say in how worship goes.
3 The Open pastor- This one is honest, as all pastors should be, but is brutally honest about E.G. the fact that when he was in high school he got a girl pregnant, or how she had an addiction to diet pills.
Gillie
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