Church Management

This is to request legitimate insights into the reasoning behind total control over a church exercised by some Pastor's.

I "used" to belong to a church where the Pastor was a fabulous preacher and teacher. I gleaned much from him and really enjoyed attending each service. The issue is that said pastor is a One Man Band. He played the piano for each song; he lead the "9" member choir; he would decide when the membership would gather for meals on the grounds and determine the justification for said gatherings, etc., and in short he made ALL the decisions.

On three separate occasions I approached him asking that I be permitted to participate. On one occasion I offered to even replace the burned out light bulbs in the men's room. Produce a Sunday Bulletin; Build a website for the church; I made it perfectly clear that I did NOT want the pulpit; did NOT want to be in charge of anything..., I just wanted to participate and contribute something for the church at large.

Nothing. Not even a response to any of my suggestions. This not only applied to me but to all the members of the church. There are many who don't want to get involved in anything and here I was desiring to participate and was refused.

The only opportunity to participate was the cleaning of the Kitchen and Fellowship Hall after any given gathering. Over the course of five years I washed a lot of pots and pans.

My request for insights here is about why, or what motivates any leader whether it be the pastor of a church or a local Sewing Bee to refuse it's own members from participating and/or contributing? Is it a fear of losing control? Ego? Self? ...what is it? ...is this kind of attitude healthy? Is there New Testament guidance on the administration of a church to this extent?

I fully understand the need to NOT turn the church over to any and all but for crying out loud..., refusing to let one change the light bulbs?

As my wife and I relinquished our membership I told him that ALL "I" had wanted was to participate and contribute.

 

"...and what was the pastors response?"

...nothing. There wasn't a response.

 

"Did the church ever have business meetings"

Not really. ...course, I've been in some business meetings in other churches where you had to bring your own helmet but not in this church.