The Biblical Servant Pastor
Not the Mega-Star
During the early days of television, two shows dominated the airwaves. One was on Tuesday night and the other aired on Sunday evening. Initially the most popular of the two shows was The Texaco Star Theatre hosted by Milton Berle. Originally it was designed along the lines of the old-fashion vaudeville variety hour with a host highlighting half-a-dozen guests each week.
However, little by little, Uncle Miltie became the star each week. As the format changed, the accent gradually focused increasingly on Berle himself. There were fewer guest acts, and Berle began to dominate each show. In just eight years, the steam ran out of Mr. Television. No one person is talented enough to carry any show, or any ministry, for more than a short time.
The Mega-Servant
The other show, The Ed Sullivan Show, experienced a very different fate. If any show in the history of television could be called an institution, it would be The Ed Sullivan Show. Every Sunday night for more than two decades this show brought an incredible variety of entertainers into homes. Sullivan’s show continued as a major hit for fifteen years longer than Berle.
Unlike Milton Berle, Ed Sullivan never wavered from his original format. He was the host who called other people to center stage. Numerous performers made their television debut on his show: Walt Disney, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and hundreds more. Though Ed Sullivan died soon after the last run of his show, he will not soon be forgotten. His legacy outlives him.
Are We Like Milton Berle or Ed Sullivan?
God calls leaders in the church to be like Ed Sullivan, not like Milton Berle. If we’re like Milton Berle, and the spotlight increasingly focuses on us and our individual ministry, then biblically we are missing God’s mark as equippers. If Christian leaders fail to focus on equipping, then we selfishly treat God’s people like children who have never grown up spiritually.
God wants us to be like Ed Sullivan—a host who calls others to center stage by equipping them to fulfill their calling. If Christian leaders focus on equipping, then we leave an other-centered legacy of loving leaders (2 Timothy 2:2).
The Rest of the Story 
Today’s post is from Equipping Counselors for Your Church which will be released September 23 by P & R Publishing.
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Join the Conversation
How can the church be filled with Ed Sullivan equippers?
This is precisely why I think the pastor shouldn’t be the leader of an entire service. Yes, there should be consistency in the pulpit, but if everything in a worship service is dominated by one personality Christ won’t be made as central as He could be. I’m a huge fan of having one or more personal testimonies from the congregation each service (either the story of their salvation or how God has been at work recently). This puts Christ at the center, more people in the service, promotes engagement with the service, encourages fellowship and promotes Church unity.