I love pastors. I love being one most of the time. Michael Spencer, aka the Internet Monk, has helped remind me why. (Read here if you dare, and remember why it’s important to pray for and encourage YOUR pastor, whoever it may be.)
A. W. Tozer used to tell this imaginary story. It’s the first Palm Sunday, and here comes Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds are shouting “Hosanna! Hosanna!” Some in the crowd throw their coats in the road; others spread out palm branches. “Well!” says the donkey, swishing a fly off a mange patch. “I had no idea they appreciated me like this! Listen to those praises, would you. I must really be something!”
Funny, isn’t it? The only thing the donkey did was bring Jesus to the people. And that’s all an effective pastor does, too. For a donkey to receive the praise offered to Jesus is silly. For a pastor to do so is suicide. The effectiveness of any and all ministry is measured by how well we bring Jesus to the people.
E. V. Hill once said that “preachers are like fertilizer. Pile them up and all you get is a big stink. Spread ‘em out and they can do some good.”
I once worked for an organization that was comprised mostly of former pastors. And nearly all of them were glad they were past pastoring. They were wonderful (mostly) men (mostly), but had been scarred and scared – sometimes by their own “stuff,” sometimes by the stuff (other than palm branches) that had been hurled at them. While I got where they were coming from, I never got being a pastor out of my system.
I love pastors because of who they think they are. I love pastors because of who they really are.
I love pastors for reminding me that God can still speak through a jackass. (That IS Biblical, you know). I love pastors for reminding me that God can still change the world through one voice, yielded humbly and completely to Him.
I love pastors for the way they respond to compliments with a language and tone that is not – believe me – insincere, but does sound like it comes from another planet. I love pastors for the way they respond to criticism with grace and kindness.
I love pastors for the way they can get excited on an elevator telling another pastor about their latest sermon or building project. I love pastors for the way they can smile and nod on the elevator when a preacher buddy is telling him his latest cool story.
I love pastors for how they can get jealous over losing some of their most troublesome members to another pastor’s church. I love pastors for how they can rejoice over somebody leaving their church to start a church of their own, or go to the mission field.
I love pastors because of how seriously they take themselves. I love pastors because of how God can transform lives when they learn to lighten up.
I love pastors for the wounds they – and their families – carry. I love pastors for the miracles they offer as they yield even their woundedness to Kingdom service.
I love pastors because at the end of the day, they’re no different from anybody else. I love pastors because at the end of the day, they’re completely different from everybody else.
I love pastors for being able to live with the perennial contradictions that make up their lives. I love pastors for the way they pursue integrity, or the way integrity pursues them.
I love pastors for the times they seem to have it all figured out. I love pastors for the times they cried out to God, “I have no clue what I’m doing!”
I love pastors for the way they sow (read “LifeVesting” here) into other people’s lives. I love pastors for the way they reap where others have sown.
I love pastors – and the Jesus they carry – for the way that through it all, God gives the increase.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love pastors for their ability to make sure saved souls have a “ticket for the train”. It’s only going to make one stop so you want to make sure you’re on it.
It’s one train that, I’m sorry to say, some will miss. Those lost souls really need our Prayers as well.
I’ve really been Blessed by the way you handle the role God has Blessed you with. You’ll have no idea how many “tickets” you’ve been responsible for giving out until you reach the Throne and be told “job well done my good and faithful servant.”
Love Ya,
Bruce
In the words of Richard Petty, “This is really a “goodun!” I hope that MANY pastors can see this and I’m sure agree with it.
Well said my son
Andy,
Favorite Andy-ism from this treasure is:
“I love pastors because at the end of the day, they’re no different from anybody else. I love pastors because at the end of the day, they’re completely different from everybody else. I love pastors for being able to live with the perennial contradictions that make up their lives. I love pastors for the way they pursue integrity, or the way integrity pursues them.”
Thanks for making me feel a lot less like a totally isolated, paradoxical, disconnected, confused God chaser;-)
Ahhh, I’m breathing better already…
Heather Somervails last blog post..Lord, Bite My Tongue (But Only Sometimes), A Prayer
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