Pastors are People Too ~ Part 1

The meaning of my title is two-fold. First, is to be careful not to elevate pastors to an unhealthy status and second, is that we don’t have an unhealthy expectation of those in that position.

An Unhealthy Status

‘Pastor’ is synonymous with ‘spiritual shepherd’ and Jesus modeled what this is to look like. He taught His disciples that if they wanted to be great in the kingdom of heaven, then they must become the servant of all, and that those who sought to be first would actually be last. He gave a powerful example of this when He knelt down and washed their feet. Even though He was their Lord, He took the role of a slave and told them that they should follow His example.

Jesus’ example of what a leader looks like needs to be put side-by-side with pastors today. Are they serving or being served? Do they think their position sets them above others or do they think others more important than themselves? Though none of us compare well to Jesus’ example, He remains our model and goal.

Many, wanting to respect this position, feel that a pastor's role is off-limits to criticism, citing Paul’s letter to Timothy “not to rebuke an elder man harshly” and David saying that he would not bring an accusation against God’s anointed (King Saul) even though he (Saul) was behaving rather badly. But the Scriptures still bring to light Saul's actions and Paul himself wrote to the Galatians of how he publicly confronted Peter, telling him he was clearly wrong, hypocritical, and showing partiality. So either Paul doesn’t understand what he wrote, or we don’t.

I am not writing this to ridicule pastors and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a respectful teacher/laity relationship as long as it doesn’t cross over into a spiritual hierarchy where a person is thought right or better just because of their title. The truth is, there is no such thing as ordained and not ordained Christians in scripture, but there is a priesthood of all believers. God does not have favorites and no position affords freedom from responsibility, especially spiritual teachers as James 3:1 points out.

The biggest danger I believe in all this is not just thinking too much of pastors, but expecting too little from ourselves. They hear from God, we listen to them, they go on mission trips, study the Scriptures, do the work of God and we become spectators who resign from the responsibility of being an active part in what Paul illustrates as the body of Christ where every member contributes.

1 Cor. 14:26 says “Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.” (NLT) This passage affirms that when we meet together there is something to be gained from a variety of people, and pastors are people too.