If you’re a serious sports fan like I am, you will understand the dilemma faced by professional sports team owners or general managers when athletes want to come home and play for the team they idolized growing up. The scenarios are as varied as the sports themselves — from long-time players desiring to finish out their careers playing at home to young draftees hoping to be selected by their favorite team. There is a huge risk involved because fickle fans can turn on their hero when things don’t go well.
Does this same situation occur in churches? It does if your church is like mine, where fledgling young pastors must discern where God is calling them into ministry. There will always be “adoring fans” who will advocate for the church leadership to hire the individual to serve in their home church. After all, what could go wrong?
Jesus himself pointed out what may happen when a local congregation’s relationship with its favorite staff members sours for some reason. He was very pointed in identifying the reason for the lack of effectiveness — a lack of faith on the part of the other members.
How about you? Are you supporting your pastors in all situations, good and bad, being careful not to develop a critical spirit that can get in the way of God’s work? Or has your opinion of them soured for some reason?
Holy Father, open my eyes to how I can help out my clergy. Keep them in my mind often so I can stop and pray for them and their families. Help me realize they are not infallible, but they serve you and deserve my respect. Amen.
Go Deeper — Do you place your pastors on a pedestal that is so high they might topple? Will you ask God to show you ways to pray for them and their ministry and then support them in tangible ways?
Photo Credit: Bonnie Kittle