5 Ways to Never Be a Narcissistic Pastor
(Sunday message for House Church and individual use: preached 8/1 – 8/7/2021)
“The Mayo Clinic summary [of] narcissistic personality disorder [NPD] . . . is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism. …
- “Summarize in points: a narcissist has…
- “An inflated sense of importance
- “A need for admiration
- “Signs of troubled relationships
- “Lack of empathy for others
- “Vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”
(McKnight, Scott. “Help!, My Pastor is a Narcissist: Eight strategies for dealing with narcissistic pastors.” Jesus Creed, a blog by Scot McKnight, Chrsitianity Today, ChristianityToday.com, 10 Aug. 2020, https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/august/help-my-pastor-is-narcissist.html. Accessed 7 Aug. 2021.)
Introduction
The Type of Preacher that Jesus wants you to be is clearly stated in his description of John the Baptist, and is recorded in Matthew 11:9-14.
“But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.” (Matthew 11:9)
1. BE A MESSENGER: A narcissist [has “an inflated sense of importance” and so] cannot see past himself to being a messenger .
“For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.” (Matthew 11:10)
2. BE THE LEAST: A narcissist [lives with “a need for admiration” and so] cannot see past himself to being the least.
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 10:11)
3. BE SURRENDERED: A narcissist [is plagued with “signs of troubled relationships” and so] cannot see past himself to being surrendered.
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 10:12)
4. BE SUBMITTED TO THE WORD OF GOD: A narcissist [has become “vulnerable to the slightest criticism” and so] cannot see past himself to being submitted to the Word of God.
“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” (Matthew 10:13)
5. BE GOD’S MAN OR WOMAN: A narcissist [lives with a “lack of empathy for others” and so] cannot see past himself to being God’s man or woman.
“And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.” (Matthew 11:14)
OUTLINE:
5 Ways to Never Be a Narcissistic Pastor
(A Message to the Ministers)
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Matthew 3:1-3)
- A Narcissist cannot see past himself to being a messenger. (Instead of having “an inflated sense of importance” – be a messenger for Jesus!)
- A Narcissist cannot see past himself to being the least. (Instead of having “a need for admiration” – be the least for Jesus!)
- A Narcissist pastor cannot see past himself to being surrendered. (Instead of having “signs of troubled relationships” – be surrendered to Jesus!)
- A Narcissist cannot see past himself to being submitted. (Instead of having a “lack of empathy for others” – be submitted to Jesus & therefore to his sheep!)
- A Narcissist cannot see past himself to being God’s man or woman. (Instead of being “vulnerable to the slightest criticism” – be God’s man (or woman) for Jesus!)
WORSHIP:
Opening: