Contemporary Kenya lacks resolute pastors who can speak truth to power

A congregation listens as a pastor delivers his message in Church. [Getty Images]

Living in a heavily religious country means that pastors are a key part of the community. It helps, therefore, to understand pastor typologies as it guides expectations and affiliations. Knowing the different types of pastors gives one a premise to decode a pastor's doctrine and direction. It explains why particular congregations function the way they do. Pastors will not be confined to one characteristic - each will usually be a combo. There are multiple ways of describing types of pastors. The following 12 pastor types are based on observing worship assemblies and public interactions.

The hired hand: This pastor is usually politically inclined. The hired hand knows that politicians and society's top leaders inevitably need audiences and spiritual services. To be accessible, the pastor is liberal in life but maintains a conservative church front. They trade their church platform for favours and cash. The pastor is "seen", the price is agreed and the cheque banked. The hired hand has only temporary loyalty. In case of a better deal, they are flexible to switch. Their services are to the highest bidder. These are pulpit peddlers and the congregation is their merchandise.