Many years ago, I saw and laughed at this cartoon by B. Kliban:
Of course, the irony is that we’re all former children although it wasn’t hell for all of us. You may not find the cartoon funny, but then, you’re not me (be thankful).
I am a former pastor. I can honestly say this cartoon would not apply to my overall experience as a pastor: it was not hell. However, there were days ….
Since I am not actively pastoring a church now, I can say without fear of accusations of self-interest: Love your pastor. It is Pastor Appreciation Month, but that’s not what prompted this blog entry. Last Sunday, Michele and I attended the church I formerly pastored to celebrate its 50th anniversary. It was a special time and we were grateful to be there. Unfortunately, I tend to focus on the unfortunate things that happened during my pastorate – the failures, the disagreements, the broken relationships, etc. I realize that these things come with the territory because neither pastors nor parishioners are perfect. However, on Sunday as I looked around the congregation at many people I love, God reminded me of all the good that He brought about while I was there. I silently asked myself what my favorite part of serving as a pastor was and the answer that immediately came to mind was “each and every conversation about Jesus and salvation and each and every baptism.”
There can be immense joy in pastoring, just as there can be sorrow and frustration, but the joy far outweighs the other stuff. If the angels rejoice when one person accepts God’s grace, then how can a pastor who has been instrumental in that process ever believe otherwise?
When I was serving at the church, we kept the stage clear for the praise team during the early part of the service. As I took the steps someone would lift a small podium/pulpit and place it center stage. Until that time, the podium was placed off to the side of the stage waiting to be used. The current pastor had pulled an older, grander pulpit from mothballs and placed it center stage. However, the smaller one was still occupying its place of waiting off to the side. It reminded me of something I experienced several months before I left the church, and before I knew I would be leaving.
Michele and I were sitting in our customary places on the second row during praise and worship time. As we sang I looked over at the podium. That morning, for some reason, one of the colored spotlights was hitting it just right and it was softly highlighted by a warm blue light. It struck me how lonely it looked which translated in my head into how lonely it can be to serve as a pastor. My eyes welled up as I was struck by this visual representation of what I occasionally felt. I shared it with Michele then composed myself so I could preach. I’ll admit that I occasionally tear up in the pulpit when moved, but I wasn’t going to start a sermon that way.
That moment has stayed with me and I felt it again last Sunday as I stared at that podium. Pastoring is a lonely role. Michele was (and is), of course, my greatest supporter and confidant, but ultimately the pastor bears much of the burden of the position alone. Reading verses like Hebrews 13:17 (Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.) only adds to the sense of burden and loneliness. Please don’t misunderstand me – serving as a pastor is an awesome privilege. I never expected to serve as a senior pastor not sensing that as my calling, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. It was special, and I will treasure the role and the people I served for the rest of my life.
So, love your pastor. As already noted, he’s not perfect. He will struggle. He will make mistakes. But his intentions are usually good, and his mission is to serve God while serving alongside you. Also understand that your pastor does not work for you, the church member. He works for the Lord; you just happen to pay his salary (and I hope you pay him well).
Pray for your pastor. There are few things sweeter to a pastor than to know his folks are lifting him up to the Lord, and he can feel the power of those prayers.
Support your pastor. If you disagree strongly with something he’s done or said, approach him about it. Talk to him, not about him. Encourage him and speak well of him to others when appropriate. Don’t worry about keeping him humble; if he’s committed to serving then God will see to it that he stays humble.
As he nears the end of his life, you don’t want your pastor to be the old man in the cartoon. You want the caption to read, “It wasn’t heaven, but it gave me a glimpse of it,” recalls former pastor.