Most of the clerics I've seen do a pretty good job.
IMO, clerics shouldn't be 24/7 pushing for conversions. You shouldn't be getting sick of hearing about their diety by the end of the current quest/event.
I believe there's a time and place for different styles of cleric. I have the "Faiths and Pantheons of Faerun" book, and there are drastically different dogmas of the clerics. Some do their part within the communities, taking specific roles (childbirth, weddings), others are expected to be divine champions of the diety, being at the forefront of battle.
I'd actually like to see less "buff-bot" clerics and more unique flavors. In a game where experience and levels take a seat behind character and roleplaying, it's a welcome sight to see clerics that have flavor: Lathandarites casting searing light, Chaunteans using more summon creature, evil clerics using bane instead of bless.
Though, with saying all of this, I personally subscribe to the idea that there is no one way to play a class. Clerics are by far one of the more powerful classes, with the ability to cast spells and wear heavy armor at 1st level, and should be strictly adhering to their dogma. At the same time, though, they shouldn't be considered an "armor wearing wizard."