Pastors are People Too!
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, October 10, 2005
- Viewed 129
- (29) comments so far
I lie sometimes. I've cheated once or twice in my life. I've had my share of the world. I make just as many mistakes as the next person...There are days you all seem fine. Nothing wrong. Everything fine. You include us. You make us feel like we are part of the family...family? Not really. We're more like distant cousins who happened to be traveling through town...And you some how find it in your gut to treat us with kindness and care...But you don't care. The fake smiles. The kind wave. It's nice. After a while I wonder if you really care. Often I hear you. I listen. I watch. I wonder. I then fall into the trap...The trap that sucks the life out of my soul. My heart. My love for serving and loving you. There are days I'd love to just tell you to just shove it...I don't though. I won't. I can't. You'd make things worse. I can't because I somehow love you. I'm called to you. You need me. I hope you need me...Some how you think I'm above you. You think I don't feel. You think I don't listen. What I love most is that you do what you do right in front of me. You forget to include me. You don't rely on me. I thought you called me? I thought you believed me? I thought you trusted me? Loved me? I thought you prayed that I was the one...That we were the ones...Somewhere in the messiness of life, things change. People change. I've let you down. I know I have. I can see it in your eyes. I hear about it. You forget that I know you gossip. I do it too. I know when you've gossiped, because it always gets back to me...Don't forget...I hurt...We hurt...We're just like you...The only difference it that you call me pastor...You give me a nice office...And by his grace you give me a paycheck...And you've trusted me to speak the truth...To preach Christ's compassion...his love...do you know how hard it is to that knowing I'm just like you? A screw up. A sinner. A beloved child of the king...Just like you...
Any thoughts?
This comes from Behind the Pulpit. Pretty honest… a pastor writes his thoughts… You look at me. You stare. You see. I’m a lot like you. As a matter of fact I was and I’m still you. I’m a screw up. I blow it daily.
Comments
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bernie dehler on Mon, October 10, 2005
Art said:
“Some of you need to just shut up and learn a little sensitivity.”
Good one Art. Made me chuckle…
Jade on Tue, October 11, 2005
The pastor is very honest, I will give him that. He sounds very hurt and broken. I suppose I have been there.
I think He needs someone too talk to. The problem is as ministers it is hard to make friends. I myself live ten hours from anyone I have known more than two years. My wife and I have been at this particular church almost two years and we have had a hard time making friends because we don’t feel we can totally trust people.
Anyone else feel this way. I mean when I am upset with a an associate pastor I can’t talk about with anyone in the church. Only my wife.
Anyone else in the same boat?
James Bertolini on Tue, October 11, 2005
I am amazed to hear that some say this is a man with problems. Every pastor or “shepherd” will go through this. I can say that once I became Sr. pastor most of those that called me friend slowly pushed away. As someone said, they don’t want to show their inequities. As Paul said in
1 Tim 1
12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I being the worse, He still uses me!
YBIC
Jamie
BeHim on Tue, October 11, 2005
It hurts more often than not. ESPECIALLY when people back bite and tale bare. It’s hurts me, my family and even my children BUT we work through it.
In many cases, I’ve spoke with the person or person’s directly… see where the pain comes from. Sometimes it works out but many times they just want to talk.
What I find most is that I need someone I can trust and talk to (someone faithful… willing to walk the mile with me and one who never tale bares or back bites… it’s this faithful person that carries the burdens of life with me… I thank God for him OFTEN), to share, bare and care with.
I’ve learned in the land of hard knocks, don’t be willing to bare your burdens to fools and don’t be in a rush to talk. Be watchful in ALL things.
I for one enjoyed this pastor’s post… I think he really needs a faithful friend… email me… I’ll walk it with you. I may not be able to give you hug or buy you dinner but I’ll pray and write you.
May we grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ my friends.
kd on Tue, October 11, 2005
Funny how healing can come. I was reading J. Oswald Sander’s book on spiritual leadership and the one quote that stated you can’t feel totally accepted until you feel totally rejected hit the spot for me. Realizing Christ and Christ alone really understands and is always there for me and although we can enjoy many fulfilling relationships until you put your total trust in Him, He may have to take you through some valleys. God bless those on the journey.
Peter Hamm on Wed, October 12, 2005
I’m tempted to reply to some of the ridiculous posts on this subject… but I won’t… Suffice to say that if you’re not in this minstry biz full time, you won’t get where this author is coming from.
Brian writes “In fact, I have found that as I get more transparent with my congregation (within reasonable limits, of course), I actually gain credibility with the “average joe” in the seat”
The most powerful sermons I’ve ever heard included some downright scary confessions and transparency. If we get into the habit of NOT being transparent, perhaps the pain of ministry increases as we inadvertently raise the expectation that we never think these thing, never cuss (inside or out), never have an evil thought.
I’m in process, too…
bernie dehler on Thu, October 13, 2005
“I’m tempted to reply to some of the ridiculous posts on this subject… but I won’t… Suffice to say that if you’re not in this minstry biz full time, you won’t get where this author is coming from.”
Everybody should be in ministry full time, whether you get paid for it or not. Did you think that only “Pastors” are in ministry? The problems this guy has is not unique to Pastoring. All occupations have similar hardships, many of them the exact same. I’m not sympathetic to “Pastors have it harder…” Just my thoughts…
...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
Peter Hamm on Thu, October 13, 2005
Bernie…
I’ve been in the secular world full-time (still doing ministr… you’re right… but not a paid church worker) and I’ve also now for a short while been in ministry where I’m working for the church full-time.
It’s a HUGE difference! Wouldn’t trade it for the world, but it’s a huge difference.
ken sexton on Sat, October 22, 2005
If this man’s pen is interpreted as being unfit to lead, then I would call into question our hermeneutic when we read the Psalmist’s words as he spoke to his own soul, Ps 42:5 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.”
Ps 42:9 “I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
Brokenness, honesty, and humility is and always will be the heart that God seeks to use mightily.
Prophet Claiborne on Thu, December 01, 2005
I praise God for this leader who like myself have been open with the issued we deal with what we go through. I believe that this man of God was shareing his heart. I myself what on Jamaica TV share my life for two week. The interviewer said he had never heard a preach share his falls and mistakes and he had more phone call and email in the history of the show. I told him that Paul in the 7 chap. of Roman after become an Apostol share with the Roman church his issue. I know this man heart. Many of us have been there or we’re there now. When you lose everything like me and God restore you. You done sit in the Judgement seat. Shame on you all who judge this man like he not fit for Pastoring. People all over the world are bless by my story and my life. many of us can’t tell it but God have comission me to help people to know that the game is not over when we mess up or fall, Pastors get back up and get in the game. God call you not people he knew what issue you had. Every GREAT man/woman of God deal with something.
Evangelist Jeff on Thu, December 01, 2005
Hello McFly… Sometimes we as members put to much stress on them from whinning and crying. We put them so high on the pedestal that we forget that they are human like we are.
We just don’t do this to or pastors and preachers but we do each other like that. We place to many expectations on them to live up too. Then when they fail and fall we set and shake our heads at them and then use intimidation because they sinned.
Last time I read the bible Romans 3:23 says ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Even Paul had trouble with this didn’t he, when he said, the thing I want to do, I don’t do, but the thing I don’t want to do I end up doing.
Just my thoughts
BeHim on Thu, December 01, 2005
I’m sorry but the name drew me to this post, “Prophet Clairborne”…
Do you believe you are a prophet of God?
I’m just wondering why you chose the name and have a few questions, if you don’t mind.
todd erskine on Thu, July 06, 2006
As I look at these posts I realize this is 8 months old! But I am new to this site and am actually enjoying it. Jesus was a man of sorrows aquainted with grief. Ministry is lonley. I think most of us are in the ministry because we are called to it not because we chose it. Many of us would rather be doing other things, but the love of Christ constrains us. Some of the meanest people I have ever met have been church members. Being a Pastor is not only demanding, because everyone has an idea of what you should do and be, but it is down right brutal. This pastor feels alone and outsider because he is one. He is a frail human being with a calling and annointing from God. This calling and annointing makes the pastor a freak! He can’t blend in a crowd even if he wants to. Whether in full time ministry or not in the ministry at all he is a marked man. Marked by God, to carry the gifts and calling of God. All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. He may be persecuted in ministry but he is miserable outside of it. So he chooses like Jonah to obey and go, but he sure isn’t happy about it. Yes ministry is a joy, and a blessing, but sometimes we walk through the valley. We feel like Elijah, I am the only one Lord. Every one hates me and Jezebel (the disgruntled church boss) wants my head! The Pastor is just a man with the calling and gifts of God that make him more than just a man. Moses was just a shepherd, when the Lord called him to lead. He didn’t want to, but went anyway. But because he was obedient others were blessed. Each and every pastor goes through these emotions of despair, lonliness, depression, and anxiety. But God is faithful who will not allow us to be tempted above that we are able. He gives us the strength supernaturally to accomplish the task He has set before us. He is our source our strength, our rock, our hiding place. Without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we are more than conquerors and can do all things through Christ that strengthens us! Faithful is He who has called you and also will do it! When we are weak He is strong. His grace is sufficnt for us.
Jim Baize on Tue, December 05, 2006
I believe that acknowleging this honest reaction , but choosing to react in a different manner is often a demonstation of real agape love-not doing what we so often feel like doing, but responding in a manner that is in the best interest for another person. It is hard working within a community that has within it a few fire breathing dragons, because these dragons, far too often, have center stage and the ears of many within the Christian body. Christian love is many times not doing what our natural instincts and reactions would lead us to do. In fact, many of my former Seminary colleagues are no longer in the active ministry, due to not having the proper fire retardent clothing that could protect them from the dragons. I have told many of them who found themselves in the den of the dragons that they only thought they were pastoring a congregation, the truth is that they were really doing mission work within a mission field.
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