In calling for pastors and preachers to take up their apologetic mantle as theologians for the church, Loscalzo makes a passing comment that I agree with wholeheartedly. Let me quote first, comment second.
Whether by intentional design or by default we pastors have relegated our task of being a theologian to some unknown entity while we spend our energy on matters that someone else in the church could better handle. In other words, too many pastors spend their time organizing vacation Bible school while neglecting Karl Barth [ed. insert your theologians of choice here]. Too many ministers aspire to be better managers of church programs. Many pastors have their hands in every administrative pot in the church. Every committee action must have their stamp of approval. These pastors micromanage everything from the church’s budget to Wednesday night suppers to the selection of wallpaper for the nursery. No wonder churches languish from theological malnutrition. The one charged with feeding them persists in obsessing over matters that they could delegate to abler hands.
What is true in terms of theological reading, reflection and output is equally and overlappingly true of Bible study, reflection and output. I remember one pastor I was influenced by encouraging me to always break what I do into four categories, and then delegate one of them. Probably sound advice. What do you do? Whether or not you’re a pastor, or in full-time ministry, or in secular employment . . . considering the work you do in the church, what do you do? Four categories? Which one can go? What can and should you delegate? Squeezing bible, theology, apologetics, etc., is too great a price to pay to keep your finger in all those pies.