Originally posted 08-18-2010. Reposted 10-13-2011.
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Someone found my blog by searching the phrase, “I don’t like pastors”. I wonder why this person doesn’t like pastors. Maybe this person knows a pastor who committed sexual sin. Maybe one who manipulated people. Maybe one who was arrogant. Maybe one who seemed fake. Whatever the case, it’s sad.
Having two decades experience as a pastor and knowing many pastors I’ve learned a little bit about them. Here are a few of my thoughts about Pastors:
The Bad About Pastors:
- Pastors Are A Mess – Just like the rest of us they have flaws, quirks, hang-ups, and sins that they struggle with.
- Pastors Are Stressed– Due to their work load and the fact that their spiritual enemy wants to destroy them, they are a pretty stressed out bunch.
- Pastors Have A Hard Time Financially – It’s not that pastors are underpaid (although many are), the problem is that many pastors don’t manage their own money very well. Many have too much debt and they don’t save well for the future. Tons of pastors live in parsonages (homes owned by the church) which saves them from having to pay rent or a mortgage. Yet those pastors, more often than not, don’t build any equity in a home of their own.
- Pastors Are Lonely – Leadership is lonely. Pastors often feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to. They love their parishioners, but are afraid to let people see who they really are. The expectations for pastors are so high that no pastor can truly live up to them. The result is that churches are led by broken, sinful people who feel like they have to portray perfection.
The Good About Pastors:
- Pastors Work Hard – While there are always exceptions, the vast majority of pastors I’ve known have a profound work-ethic. They spend hours and hours preparing to preach and teach. They supervise staff members and volunteers. They counsel the hurting, and visit the sick. Most pastors I know put in at least 60 hours per week.
- Pastors Are Honest – again there are always exceptions, but in my experience pastors have great integrity.
- Pastors Are Creative – coming up with a new and fresh sermon is no small task, yet pastors find a way to do it. They are funny, compelling, motivating, convicting, and inspiring week-in-and-week-out. This requires a vast reserve of creativity and energy that most people are unaware of.
- Pastors Make A Difference – I can’t tell you how many thousands upon thousands of people I’ve met who are grateful for the impact their pastors have had on their lives. Sure, plenty of people have been hurt by pastors, but far more have been helped by them.
I hope what I’ve written will inspire you regarding your pastor. Go out this week and forgive your pastor’s flaws, trust your pastor’s leadership, try see things from your pastor’s perspective, tell your pastor “Thank You”, and most of all be grateful for your pastor’s ministry in your life.
Nice, honest post. Sometimes I wonder how people find my blog too.
I thought of two other things that I hope you will consider as you coach pastors. These are common to everyone, but sometimes more difficult for pastors.
First, many times the loneliness is self-inflicted. Inspiring leadership should build a community, not isolate the leader. I don’t know what seminary does to a person, or if it’s something else, but I have met many pastors who won’t just be a friend. They act like they’re at work all the time. Remember the first rule for having friends is to be one.
Second, like all of us, they don’t know what they don’t know. The work world is changing faster today than at any time in history. Many get too involved in the “production” taking place at the “church” to the point where the only way people can engage them is on the premises. We all need to get out and continuously learn, not just the Bible, but the people and their lives and situations.
I appreciate the pastors who have served my growth as a believer. But I have most grown when the pastor was building influencers and leaders rather than just serving a congregation.
The only problem I see here is that I would want my whole congregation to see something like this, yet would feel completely out of line to send it to them. So……..would you like the email addresses of our Deacons?
Great insights, Mike. Thanks!
Ha! That’s why I didn’t write this post while I was a pastor. Hang in there man!
Thanks for the post. I think the negative and the positives were insightful. Many never realize the challenge of bringing compelling messages 1-2 times a week.
I study a minimum of 10 hours for 1 sermon. Every Monday I am 20 hours behind before the week begins. I traditionally work 60-70 hours a week and love it.
I have not fallen into the trap of living in a parsonage. I believe ministers should own their own homes and develop a strong financial plan for their families.
Thanks,
Pastor Tom