What Do I Do?

I was just catching up on a friend's blog when I came across this post. It's very timely considering some of the conversations I've had over the last few days both in person and over the phone. I'll post it here but I'm giving him credit. Thanks, Steve.

Sometime this past week, I had to go to church for a leader's meeting.  I was in the evening and Evan, my 6 yr. old son, asked "why do you have to be in the meeting?" I said, "because I'm one of the bosses there."  He responded with a grin on his face, "cool!"

Being a "pastor" is certainly cool and it does have it advantages, but it isn't a walk in the park.  I suppose most people have no idea what a "pastor" or those in leadership do or think or spend their time on.  The joke for many is that pastors only work one day.  Although it's a joke, many believe it.

Some think that pastors know everything about the bible and religions in the world.  Some think the pastor gets paid from magic money falling from heaven.  Some think pastors should get paid nothing.  Some think there's no reason for pastors.  Some think it's the pastors job to initiate and carry on every project, program, study, discussion, idea, or movement.  Some think they're not special enough to do ministry.  Some think only pastors can pray to God.  Some get upset when they find out that the pastor isn't perfect (but doesn't what anyone to know how they aren't).  Some feel relieved knowing the pastor isn't perfect.

And I would agree that one of the responsibilities of the pastor is to motivate, to teach, to come along side, to train, to comfort, to pray with and for, to study, to understand, to do, to create, to initiate, to organize, to encourage, to proclaim, to rally, to lead, to challenge, to call others to live a life for God (and that's just for himself and his family).

Most will never understand what great responsibility and pressure pastors experience everyday in doing the work God has called them to do on this earth.  Certainly the work of the Holy Spirit in Christians is a plus (that's assuming many listen to the HS and don't "push him away").

I have great respect for pastors, but I do think that sometimes, pastors fail in leading the church to a deep, initimate, devoted life to God in everything people do.  I think sometimes, we as Christians, fail ourselves by buying into and expecting and waiting for the pastor to do everything for us and get upset when they don't meet our "expectations."

What assumptions do you have about those in ministry? or those in Christian leadership?

Is it right?

ST