Have We Got A Deal For You

                                             It's that old-time religion

                                             It's the kingdom they would rule

                                             It's the fool on television

                                             Getting paid to play the fool

                                                                             Rush

                                                                             The Big Money

According to a Fuller Insitute / Barna Research / Pastoral Care Inc. study (cited here) the profession of "Pastor" is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above "car salesman".

First, let me say that I am not offended. I’ve long thought that being a pastor requires a certain amount of salesmanship. Since our culture is filled with competing advertisements persuading us that a product or lifestyle can “change your life” or “change the world,” it’s only natural that people see one of the chief jobs of the clergy is to convince and motivate people to participate in a certain belief system that promises to do the same.  Many of the techniques used in selling cars (or any goods or services) are assumed to translate well into the arena of faith.

The problem, however, lies in the implication that sales people only highlight the good points of whatever it is they are selling and gloss over any negative aspects. Unfortunately this does happen in the world of religion and it can happen a couple of different ways.

First, and I believe this is the most common, the person selling a faith-based program is completely convinced of the goodness and benefits of what they are promoting. Their attempts to convince others to participate in a faith-based lifestyle are genuine and heartfelt. In their excitement and passion to share what they believe is a treasure they unintentionally minimize anything that might turn others away.

The second type of salesperson is the one who is aware of the negatives but tries to hide them. The “huckster” sees other people as gullible and needy and is willing to take advantage of that for their own personal gain whether financial or emotional. The arena of faith provides ample opportunities for this kind of person to ply their trade and the examples are far too numerous to count. It is this hypocritical character that is pictured especially by those who feel that all faith is nothing more than snake oil.

Whether it is heartfelt belief or cynical malice, clergy are responsible for the way faith is presented and understood. Minimizing negative and highlighting positive aspects of faith actually does a disservice to the people who are searching for the Truth.

Faith is not a product to be sold or a lifestyle to be promoted. Faith is a way of understanding and being in the world. Faith comes with difficulties. Jesus was open about the hardships of faith when he talked about his followers needing to “take up your cross” or when he mentioned that the “Gates of Hell will not prevail against you.” Faith doesn’t bring an end to a person’s struggles. In fact, it may actually bring more. Even though faith promises that new life will grow out of these struggles (and deaths) it doesn’t give us the “happily ever after” ending of a fairy tale.

The solution to this problem is to be open and honest about what faith is like in this life. To do that we have to move from sales to service. We need to stop telling people what they need or what they need to do and start being examples of service in the world (and not just servants of  the institutional church). Maybe then people will think more highly of us. But then again, maybe they won’t.