What pastors wish church members knew
Various aspects of pastoral ministry greatly frustrate many pastors. Like other human beings, they have their tolerance levels and confess that certain “pet peeves” can quickly exhaust their patience.
What are some of pastors’ most irritating pet peeves?
• Tied hands. Pastors are held responsible for what goes on inside their church walls. Yet sometimes church leaders and others limit their authority and position. One pastor complained, “Even though I was called by God and the church to lead them, every time I attempt to lead, they tie my hands.”
• No time. A pastor’s demanding workload often eats into his sermon preparation time. Pastors admit they desperately need more time to study, write and prepare their sermons.
A pastor explained, “I yearn to be involved in passionate and deep study and sermon preparation. But time doesn’t permit it. Instead I grab light snatches of time at odd moments throughout the week to prepare my sermons.”
• The blame game. Pastors complain they receive frequent and unwarranted blame when things go awry. “If something doesn’t work within a program or a service, church members and staff are too quick to say it’s the pastor’s fault,” one pastor said.
• Committees, committees, committees. Many pastors today grow weary of constant committee meetings. “I don’t like doing ministry through committees,” one pastor stated. “I cannot find a place in God’s Word where it says we have to have a committee.”
Another complained, “Church committees and politics tie my hands as pastor and keep me from doing the work of the Kingdom. There are just too many committees and too many ‘church bosses.’”
• Impossible expectations. Some pastoral expectations are necessary. But sometimes, according to some pastors, church members’ expectations can be too demanding or unrealistic. One pastor said, “Some of the older people in my church think I should come by to see them every week. There’s no way I can do that and still prepare three sermons each week and do the myriad of other duties I must do.”
Pastors admit they are often overwhelmed by too many unrealistic expectations and too many ministry demands. Most yearn for more well-trained, committed, hard-working staff and supportive deacons, Sunday School teachers and volunteers to ease their workload.
• E-mail. Some pastors consider e-mail “the locust of modern-day ministry.” They feel it has given voice to a whole generation who feels entitled to say things in a way that 20 years ago, no one ever would have dreamed of saying to their pastor.
What you can do to help your pastor:
• Respect your pastor’s call from God and role as shepherd/leader of the congregation.
• Respect your pastor’s time. Enlist his help only when you must.
• Don’t blame your pastor when something goes wrong in the church.
Denise George is the author of ‘What Pastors Wish Church Members Knew’ and numerous other books. Denise and her husband, Timothy George (founding dean of Beeson Divinity School), are members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church. For more information, visit www.authordenisegeorge.com.
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