It's not just the pastors that are responsible for creating an environment conducive to teaching people about the love of God; the congregation has to be involved.
One classic reason this doesn't happen is because there are a lot of pastors who cling too tightly to their vision and never trust people to take the helm of any part of what they do. This is a huge mistake from a holistic ministry standpoint--how are you, one person, going to take care of the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of an entire congregation? I'd be too busy to do this for more than a few people at a time. It just doesn't work. Pastors need to partner with their congregations (and for that matter, other pastors and leaders that they can build up in their congregation) in order to care for the whole "person" in the body of Christ.
Another reason is what I call "the Maslow Deception". This happens in churches where people look like they have everything and put up a great front, but they are emotionally unfulfilled and have neither real love from others (family) nor self-esteem. A pastor who cares enough to move past a "business-successful" church model will gently begin to take people deeper with one another and make it harder to live at the "shallow end" in certain circles. People should never be forced to open up and share (creating bonding, community), but the pastors should find ways to make Sunday morning an exciting subpoint to what happens in small groups where people really connect.
Our goal is not (just) to run a successful business. Our goal is to run a successful church.
--S.S.
