Ever heard a pastor say something that made you cringe?
We pastors say a lot. From the stage, to the phone, in an email, and
in passing conversations, we are communicating with people most of our
days. And while much of what we share is (hopefully) helpful, there are
certain things that should never be said.
1. “If it weren’t for the people, I’d love being a pastor.”
You’ve probably heard this one. In fact, you may have said it
yourself. Often said in a moment of frustration or as a passing joke,
this is a statement that can be incredibly hurtful to the people that
need help the most. It inadvertently creates a wall between the pastor
and those who are in need of grace and hope. And it makes people feel
like there are problems too big to bring to their pastor.
Truth: Being a pastor is about the people. It’s about serving and giving and loving and pouring yourself out for others.
2. “This week was so busy, I didn’t even get a chance to work on my sermon.”
This is sad, really. There are a handful of things that only the pastor can do. (qualifier: having a teaching team is an option that many churches utilize, but when it’s your week to preach, this is no excuse). Preaching is one of them. It’s not that others aren’t qualified…it’s that your role that Sunday is to preach.
Truth: Having the stage (or the
pulpit, depending on your context) on a Sunday morning is a great
privilege. Neglecting that gift is irresponsible. Continue at Ben Reed
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