Why Pastors Still Matter

Spiritual Leadership in a Digital Age

We live in a world that’s both hyper-connected and deeply lonely. 📱 We’ve got endless podcasts, YouTube sermons, and TikTok preachers popping up on our feeds—but in all the noise, it’s easy to wonder: Do we even need pastors anymore?

It’s a fair question. But before we talk about marriage, identity, addictions, or “my truth,” we’ve got to first understand this: spiritual leadership isn’t about control—it’s about care. And pastors? They still matter—more than ever.

What Does the Bible Actually Say About Pastors?

Ephesians 4:11–12 lays it out:
"Christ gave the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church."

Notice the word equip. Pastors aren’t performers, influencers, or entertainers. They’re equippers. The word “equip” in the original language means:

• 🪢 To repair (like fixing a fishing net so it can be useful again)

• 🩹 To restore (like a doctor setting a broken bone so it heals right)

• 🎯 To prepare (to get you ready for action)

A pastor’s job isn’t to put on a show—it’s to help you live out your calling. Think of it less like a celebrity on a stage and more like a coach, mentor, medic, or trainer in your corner.

Why Do Pastors Sometimes Say Hard Stuff?

Let’s be real: nobody loves being corrected. Whether you’re Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, or Boomer, correction feels uncomfortable. But correction ≠ condemnation.

• Condemnation says: “You’re a failure.”

• Correction says: “You’re made for more—let’s get you back on track.”

In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul told a young pastor named Timothy: “Preach the word… correct, rebuke, and encourage—with patience and good teaching.”

That means sometimes pastors will say things that challenge your comfort zone. And that’s not a bad thing. In fact, a church that never challenges you might keep you entertained, but it won’t transform you.

Church Isn’t Netflix

Here’s the problem: in today’s consumer culture, we treat church like streaming—if we don’t like the “content,” we just scroll to the next thing.

But church isn’t meant to be a weekly pep talk or a vibe check—it’s meant to form us. Pastors don’t just give you content; they guide you toward calling.

What We’re Talking About in This Series

This series is going to dig into the tough stuff:

• “I love Jesus, but not church” 🤔

• Living together vs. covenant marriage 💍

• Identity & sexuality 🌈

• Addictions (yes, including food, alcohol, screens, and entertainment) 🍔📺🍷

• “My truth” vs. God’s truth 🙌

• Casual Christianity ⚡

Not because we want to start fights—but because we need clarity. Culture is loud. God’s truth is louder, if we’re willing to listen.

Life Application

So here’s the challenge for all of us—Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, whoever’s reading:

1. Have you been resisting correction because of past hurts or cultural voices?

2. Are you chasing entertainment, or equipping?

3. Where have you let culture’s definition of “truth” override God’s?

Discomfort doesn’t mean God’s pushing you away—it usually means He’s doing surgery on your soul. A pastor’s role is to walk with you through that, not to control you, but to equip you.

Because God’s boundaries aren’t about restriction—they’re about freedom. And when you let His truth shape your life, you don’t just “get by”—you grow. 🌱

(New Living Translation Bible, 1996)

(New King James Version, 1975)