Did you read last Sunday's Daily Bread?  What was God thinking!!!! (See Below)

www.gospelcom.net/rbc/odb/odb-07-13-03.

July 13, 2003

Getting Rid Of The Pastor

"Pastors who do their work well should be paid well and should be highly appreciated, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scriptures say, `Never tie up the mouth of an ox when it is treading out the grain-let him eat as he goes along!' And in another place, `Those who work deserve their pay!' Don't listen to complaints against the pastor unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him. If he has really sinned, then he should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that no one else will follow his example  (1 Tim 5:17-20)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor. (1Timothy 5:17)

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A Christian leader told about some church members who came to him for advice. They wanted to know of a way to get rid of their pastor. Sensing that they were not being fair, he gave them these suggestions:

1) Look your pastor straight in the eye while he is preaching and say "Amen!" once in a while. He'll preach himself to death.

2) Pat him on the back and tell him his good points. He'll work himself to death.

3) Rededicate your life to Christ and ask your minister for a job to do. He'll die of heart failure.

4) Get the church to pray for him. Soon he'll become so effective that a larger church will take him off your hands.

If your pastor faithfully preaches God's Word and tries to live an exemplary life, do all you can to support and encourage him. Of course, no pastor is perfect, and sometimes a loving rebuke may be needed (1 Timothy 5:20). But a pastor carries a big responsibility (Hebrews 13:17), and a faithful man of God is worthy of respect and generous financial support (1 Timothy 3:1; 5:17-18).

By the way, when did you last say to your pastor, "I'm grateful for you and all you've done for me"?
 -Richard De Haan

FOR FURTHER STUDY
how can you encourage your pastor this week?
Read Your Pastor And You.


A pastor leads best
when his people get behind him.

When I first read the title of the Daily Bread, I said "WHAT!!!!!" I knew my Email title would get your attention as well! But as I prayerfully read the devotional, I ended up saying "AMEN!"  Thank you Lord. You surly know how to encourage your Pastors. Contrary to popular belief, Pastors rarely get much encouragement. Yet, the Pastor's job is like no other job in this world. Let me give you just a few examples;

1) Believe it or not, some people really believe "the Pastor only works a few hours a week and that's on Sunday!"  As a Pastor, I have yet to experience a normal 40-hour work week! Overtime - is all the time (without the compensation of course). Weekends are none existent to Pastors - it's their busiest days. Our work hours are not 9-5 but 24-7. A Pastor is called upon at any hour of the day or night - especially during emergencies.

2) Supervisors have the "almighty dollar" to motivate their employees. "You do what I say or you lose your pay." However, the bulk of the churches work is carried out by volunteers. Their motivation is serving "Thy Almighty!" Their pay is a treasure awaiting them in heaven. Their supervisors are God's appointed Pastors (John. 10:11; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Yet, when Pastors ask for workers - many people scatter. If they ask someone to do a job that requires sacrifice or is not glamorous, they find excuses. If things get too uncomfortable - they say, "I don't have to take this, I'm out of here! There are plenty of others churches. After all, I'm not getting paid for this!"

3) Everyone knows that a Pastor is only human. Yet, we are expected to be superhuman. Only God is - omnipresent (everywhere at all times), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipotent (all powerful). Yet, Pastors often hear  "Why didn't you come, you should have known, or why didn't you do something?"  And God forbid if a Pastor should slip up, like get mad and lose his temper, miss an appointment, or forget someone's name. You can be certain - people will hear about it! 

4) Although we know that God will judge Pastors more severely in heaven, we insist on helping Him out while they are still here on earth. Indeed, Pastors should be confronted if they are clearly found to be in sin and are unrepentant. However, most Pastors are judged by: what they drive, where they live, what they wear, where they go, who they see, and what they do! 

5) Pastor's are often criticized for the decisions they make regarding another person, when that person complains to others about it. The problem is, there are always 2 sides of the story, yet a Pastor cannot disclose what he knows about the person and why the actions were taken, because he is held to confidentiality (Prov. 18:17).

6) Everyone likes and protects their privacy!  No one likes to be scrutinized.  Not so with Pastors!  They are expected to live in a glass house where everything, even their families, can be clearly viewed, critiqued, and always evaluated. It breaks my heart to hear someone say to my child "but your the Pastor's kid, you shouldn't be doing that."

7) In the business world, each title carries a designated position and power. No one would dare talk to their supervisors with disrespect or challenge their authority, for the fear of losing their job. In His church, Jesus specifically gives each of us various spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:27-30). Although no one would argue that they possess them all, when it comes to leading the church - why is it that everyone feels they have the gift of "Administration?" 

8) We wouldn't think telling a professional how to do their job, especially if we have no experience in that field. Try telling a surgeon how to operate or a machine operator how to drive a dozer. Yet, Pastors are often criticized and told how to do their job.  

9) We know that we are supposed to give our tithes and offerings to the Lord - through our local church (Mal.3: 7-12; Matt.23: 23). For it belongs to Him. But, if we don't like last week’s sermon, and we get upset, we seek to teach the Pastor a lesson. We hold back "our money."  Our thinking instantly changes from "God's tithes and offerings” to "I am paying his salary and I am not pleased!"

10) Titles can be very impressive (i.e.: Doctor, Contractor, Professor, Policeman, Fireman, etc.). Today when someone asks me "What do you do?" When I say "Pastor" they say cordially "Oh, that's nice." You know they mean - "That's not really a job?" 

If I were to say, "I'm a marriage and family therapist" or "A counselor who specializes in crisis and grief," or "The CEO of a humanitarian organization with 3 paid staff and over 200 volunteers" or "I am a successful Motivational Speaker who is booked every week," or better yet "I specialize in fire prevention and have been accredited for saving countless lives!" Now that's impressive!!!!!

So, what will I say next time someone asks me what I do. I will say, "I'm just a Pastor!"

Conclusion:

With knowing all of this, why would anyone want to be a Pastor? As for me, this is easy to answer: 1) God called me to build His church, 2) My life and possessions belongs to Him, 3) I love serving Him, and I truly love all of you! 4) There is no other job - IN THIS WORLD - just like it!

If you ever want to get rid of a Pastor, by all means, follow the plan found in the Daily Bread. Any Pastor would be blessed to go out this way!

See you in church,

Pastor Stan