I wrote an article on my own blog after preaching a few weeks ago. It hit me, as I was preaching on money, that this was very much a subject where my life was clearly inconsistent with the message. And yet we have an expectation by others, but mostly ourselves I think, to be these super-spiritual giants.

Thanks to Craig for being so brutally honest, and for reminding us that being a genuine follower of Jesus is what life is all about.

How do you know how far to go with this “soul bearing”? Where is the line? Is this something to be done weekly, regularly or rarely?
Does the messenger have to be walking strongly with the Lord every time you mount the pulpit, or is it acceptable to allow the perfect message to be presented by the imperfect messenger, without the messenger letting his own personal walk with Christ become a distraction?

I can see how this “transparency” could be very important, just not sure when, who long do you have needed to be at a church, etc..., etc… lots of questions.... anyone want to answer a few of them? I’m interested in taking this path, just not sure it is a path that is designed for my own selfish needs or the needs of the people?

Good article!

I had a similar expirience yesterday at church and without going into much detail I too asked for forgiveness after the service was just about over and when my associate gave the invitation , dozens and dozens of people came forward weeping and repenting. I hope and pray this is the beginning of something new and refreshing in the life of our church. Please, please pray for us!

Wow; I can hardly wait to read the book!  I’ve suggested to some closest to me in ministry that being real is one of the most important virtues we can have.  We seem to be good at keeping up facades, but when we are humble before God and before the people around us, God really shines through.  Really appreciated the article!

Dear Todd: Thanks for sharing that review. Confession before the Lord is confession before the most understanding and mature audience we have, God. Confession before our congregations must be honest but spirit directed because once we have done it the flags of all eyes and ears are looking for results in our lives according to the terms percieved in the minds and hearts of the hearers. While confession might be good for our soul when done publically it must be also good for those who recieve it. 58 years ago I bowed my head and heart to recieve Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Two years later I knew God wanted me in the ministry. Since then the journey has been fantastic but there are moments where in the matter of prayer I have been confused by the many systems that I have been instructed in as to how to pray so that God will work. The now in heaven Dr. Bob Cook used to say pray your way through the day and I really related to that advice. Stay intimate with why we are doing what we are doing. Everything we do has meaning so do it in a manner that you are aware of all the ramificaions. Don’t allow your life to get to loud, even the music in the church, sometimes what we are doing is so loud we can’t hear the quiet voice of God as He speaks to us. I look forward to reading the book.

It’s ironic(!) that I found myself in the same position only last week, as I tried to put the cap on a sermon that I had done little praying over (at least not serious prayer), and I realized that I was empty. Something wasn’t right. I preached a different message yesterday, but I have taken ALOT of time over the last several days praying, reading, seeking the Lord in worship to renew my spirit.  I also picked off of my bookshelf the old EM Bounds classic, “Power through Prayer” which talks TO pastors about prayer.  This book I received 17 years ago has re-opened my eyes to the absolute necessity of prayer. One thing Bounds wrote, “The preacher needs a thorough conviction of his difficult and delicate work and of his imperative need of God’s mightiest help.” If I want to make the greatest impact through my preaching and leadership, I MUST PRAY. If you haven’t picked up a classic book on prayer, just do it (especially for pastors, Bound’s “Power Through Prayer” speaks right to you). Thanks for the article - it reminds me that even we pastors walk together in the body of Christ.

Not many people in my life today even know that I used to be a UMC clergyman.  Those who do know has said little or nothing to me over the past 40 years concerning my decision to leave the ministry, but, every now and then, someone will ask the question: “Why did you leave?”
Truth is that at the time I resigned, I did not really know the answer to that question myself. I had been very happy and fulfilled as a mininster.  First appointment was a “vacant lot”, i.e., a start up assignment.  At the time, I believed that God had placed me exactly where I belonged.  Ministry was rewarding, and I was always excited and enthusiastic about my calling as a minister.
At the end of seven years, I was appointed to my second appointment in Northern Virginia, While the communities were the same, suburban, I was still the man that felt called by God to do exactly what I was doing.  Three years into this second appointment, my sister was told by her physician that she had terminal cancer.  My sister was a nurse, also a member of my first appointment and we were close.  Doctors gave her six months to live.  She and I spend a lot of time together, talking, praying and meeting with a seminary professor and friend of mine who joined us in prayer, believing that she would be healed.  I believe it with all my heart,mind and spirt.  I had no doubts.  She would be healed and she would continue her life as a wonderful person and a great nurse.  Six months later, she purchased a gun and she killed herself.And I plunged into a pit of great dispair and depression. I should have sought prayer and counseling, but, I did not.  I also felt shame and defeat, believing that I had failed my sister and that I had failed as a minister.  Now my life was full of doubt.  How could I remain in the pulpit?  What could I say?  How could I minister? That was almost 40 years ago.  It took 20 years before I could even talk about this with anyone, or to mention my sister’s tragic death “out loud”. My faith has survived, but it took a long time.  Did I make a good or correct decision to leave the ministry.  No, I did not.  Has my latter life been rewarding, fulfilling and fruitful?  Yes, but not without difficulties.  Today we live on a farm in Georgia with 39 deeply troubled children, all legally adopted by our oldest daughter, who have faced and lived thorough pain, hurt, abuse and abandonment, the victims of drugs and other adictions.  Life is not without pain, suffering and death..

This is it!  The real deal.  Exactly how Christ wants us to be.  Thanks Craig and thanks to the editors for this venue to share.  blessings, Jimmie

Fantastic article!  Years ago I attended a church where the pastor was truly authentic and allowed us to see his struggles.  I grew more in Christ during those 6 years under his teaching, than I did my previous 25+ years as a Christian, under other teachers. 

Thanks for reminding us that God asks us only to be humble and authentic… then HE is set free to do the rest.  What a wonderful challenge to us all!

There is no substitute for authenticity, I wept and rejoiced simultaneously reading the article and the responses, God is beginning a revival, praise His name!

Thanks for the review. I would say my biggest struggle right now in ministry is insuring that I have died to self. There is still too much of me in everything I do.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
I have found my self in similiar situations.  I have both a TV program (local public cable access) and a nursing home ministry, as well fill in an an iternant preacher.  Not being prepared will bind the Holy Spirit from touching those we are called to minister.  As I recall Jesus prayed all the time before He went out to minister.  As some of the responses have indicated, we have to be prepared.  An example of a lighter but still “to the quick” comment.  What I find interesting as I come across in a lighter attitude with my puppet ministry and regarding preparation, I would say, “you would not just put eggs, flour, salt, sugar and frosting in a bowl and serve it as dessert, would you?” “course not” Fred (my puppet) )says....so then why do we find ourselves in the situation as in the original presentation.....
Keep up the great testimonies - they are truly encouraging for all
Pastor Bill

John, people often will not like hearing the truth, but they need to hear it.  I’m sure there were people there that day who really needed to hear what you had to say.  I I suspect you really needed to speak the truth that day.  Publicly it may not have been recieved well, but in their hearts I’m sure some received it as God intended it.