God gave me this
title, along with what will be a few days worth of posts on this specific topic
of friendship with pastor's. Shocking title isn't it? It is the truth though.
Through years of
attending church, where in some cases the church was small and intimate, or in
some cases it was a mega church, I have been blessed to have become friends
with a number of pastors.
When the hubs and I
got married, I literally handed him a list (think notebook list not sticky note
list) filled with the names of pastor's who could marry us! He found that a bit
unsettling to say the least. It was made worse when I actually listed them in
order of MY preference, beginning with a great man of God who had invested in
myself and my growth as a leader and pastor.
Have I ever
mentioned I worked as a Pastor? Probably not and there are many reasons for
that. I'll tell you about it another time.
While I have been
blessed to share in their lives, gotten to know the wives and children, hung
out, etc.… I found a truth in the midst of it - they make terrible friends to
have!
It has nothing to do
with any of them specifically. They are my friends. Real friends. It actually
has more to do with everyone else!
Many people have
tried to be my friend simply for an introduction into the world of pastors and
ministry leaders. Some want to gossip or pump me for information that they
think I must have. Some have merely decided that being friends with a pastor
means you have 'arrived' and are part of a 'special clique'.
How sad to learn
that Christians would maneuver and position themselves to simply climb a ladder
that doesn’t actually exist.
Most people don't
realize the enormous weight that a pastor must carry. They don't realize the
weight that the whole family carries. Most don't realize that in reality it can
be hard to be friends with leaders in the church.
Being a ministry
leader or a pastor is a hard job. In most cases it took years of growth,
discipleship, prayer and dedication in addition to the calling of God. It gets
even harder once you are in the position of leading people. God was right when
he called us all sheep!!
Tomorrow I will
address the 'Sheep' issue!!!
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