Moralistic, Therapeutic, (Narcissistic) Deism

Christian Smith's book dealing with the spiritual state of American teens in the National Study of Youth and Religion has come to the conclusion that teens ascribe to a "Moralist, Therapeutic, Deistic" viewpoint of life. (God wants me to be good, God wants me to be happy and there is a God.)  While Smith uses the terms moralistic, therapeutic, deism - I have added the term narcissistic. (The belief that I can be a Christian and not go to church is pervasive among many who would call themselves Christians. This is a very partial truth. You can be a believer and not go to church, but your faith and growth will be very shallow and minimal for your challenges and theology will be minimal. This mentality has bled over to the adult world. The question is, "Where did Americans get this viewpoint?" The answer is obvious: the pulpits of America. In a culture that teaches prosperity gospel (If you do this, God will bless you this way - If I am good, God will bless me), it is easy to see how American people become selfish - selfishness is being promoted from pulpits.

What is more, I suspect there is another reason men in particular are not interested in going to church is because they are contending with the egos of male pastors. For many Senior or Lead Pastors, their perspective is the only perspective. (If you do not do it this way, a.k.a., my way, it is the wrong way.) There is little concept of true teamwork within the Church. I had a friend of mine send me the following blog from Perry Noble:

From his blog:

Ten Questions Every Leader Should Be Asking!

from Perry Noble | Senior Pastor, NewSpring Church

#1 – When I walk into a room are people glad to see me or freaked out/stressed that I am there?

#2 – Am I more known as an encourager or as someone who is always pointing out everything that seems to be wrong?

#3 – Does my staff know about loyalty because I model it for them or because I demand it from them?

#4 – Do I always assume the best about a staff member when I hear that they have made a mistake?  (Love ALWAYS assumes the best about a person, ALWAYS, see I Corinthians 13:4-7!)

#5 – When I disagree with someone…do I do so in a way that respects the person OR do I attempt to tear down the person AND their position in order to intimidate anyone else in the room who may agree with them?

#6 – Am I celebrating the past more than I am anticipating the future?

#7 – Am I ignoring anything that really needs to be dealt with?  If so, why?  (Anyone can identify a problem, only a leader will embrace the uncomfortable and the unknown and actually do something about it!)

#8 – Am I a person who is known for contacting others only when I want something from them?

#9 – When I go home and am with my wife and kids…am I checking out my online platform to see what others are saying about me or am I fully engaged with my family?

#10 – Do I motivate people or discourage them?

BTW…if you do not know the answers to these questions, they would make a great agenda for your next leadership meeting!

Thanks LJ, and thanks Perry Noble! The reality is that so many Lead Pastors are either self-deceived or nobody has the spine to stand up to them and let them know the truth that they fail at most of the list above. I suspect most Lead Pastors would ignore Perry's "BTW" encouragement.

Our selfishness has caused us to lack the very grace that Jesus calls upon us to display. It has lead to a lack of humility in church leadership. Young people have learned this moralistic, therapeutic (narcissistic) deism from church leadership in the way most youth and children's pastors are treated. (If your youth/children's pastor performs to my expectations, a.k.a., if they are good enough, we will reward them by letting them stay, a.k.a., if I am happy, they will be happy.) As far as narcissism is concerned, every personality led church begins to take on the personality of the Lead Pastor anywhere from 6 - 8 years. 

Truth is, maybe I am a bit embittered as a Youth Pastor in our current culture, but it is not without reason. I have been doing Youth Ministry for 27+ years and the most affirming and mentored positions I have ever been involved in were para-church organizations. There seems to be a difference in the personalities of Lead/Senior Pastors and para-church directors. (Less ego maybe?)

Regardless of my personal opinions, the reality is that the Church in America is BLEEDING people! Authentic believers are swapping churches left and right and when this happens, Lead and Senior Pastors call them spiritually immature rather than having an honest look at their own spiritual immaturity. This is not a comment about my current or previous positions; my comments are based on my experiences as well as experiences and conversations with many, many youth pastors. I am not a 20-something, newly out of school youth pastor. In 4 years (I can't believe this), I will be 50 with 27 years ministry experience. I am working on my Doctorate where we are studying Youth, Family and Culture. I don't think I am a slouch.

My plea: "Senior and Lead Pastors of America; are you pandering to moralistic, therapeutic, (narcissistic) deism? Are you a team player as much as you expect your staff to be or is it your way or the highway? If you were to grade yourself on Perry Noble's Questions, how well would you do?"

There is a lot at stake here, mainly the fate of the Church in America.