It’s been ten years since the publication of the book Brothers, We Are Not Professionals.
Nothing has happened in the last ten years to make me think this book
is less needed. In fact, instead of going away, the pressure to
“professionalize” the pastorate has morphed and strengthened.
Among younger pastors, the talk is less about therapeutic and
managerial professionalization, and more about communication or
contextualization. The language of “professionalization” is seldom used
in these regards, but there is quiet pressure felt by many pastors: Be
as good as the professional media folks, especially the cool anti-heroes
and the most subtle comedians.
The New Professionalism
This is not the overstated professionalism of the three-piece suit
and the power offices of the upper floors, but the understated
professionalism of torn blue jeans and the savvy inner ring. This
professionalism is not learned in pursuing an MBA, but by being in the
know about the ever-changing entertainment and media world. This is the
professionalization of ambience, and tone, and idiom, and timing, and
banter. It is more intuitive and less taught. More style and less
technique. More feel and less force.
If this can be called professionalism, what does it have in common
with the older version? Everything that matters. The way I tried to get
at the problem ten years ago was to ask some questions. Let me expand
that list. Only this time think old and new professionalism.
- Is there professional praying?
- Professional trusting in God’s promises?
- Professional weeping over souls?
- Professional musing on the depths of revelation?
- Professional rejoicing in the truth? Continue at John Piper
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