Politics.
They belong in the public arena not in the church. Oh let me explain myself a little more. I’m not talking about speaking or not speaking up about injustice, etc.
Politics don’t belong in the church. You know…church politics. It is a basic fact of life they should not be involved but man will be man so…
I read a really funny article the other day. You can read it here. Even funnier sadder were some of the comments (Please make sure you at least see the one about Hippocrates. I was just glad I had nothing in my mouth when I read it).
Part of church politics is the feeling “I have a right to say whatever I want to say to the pastor. After all we pay his salary.” (I’d be interested to know how much they contribute but that is a rabbit trail). I digress. Part of the church politic thing has caused many people to wear masks…and yes that includes the pastor himself. Pretense is real.
I have often told the people here not to put me on a pedestal. I am not interested in taking God’s place. I think they have seen me fail enough to know that ain’t going to happen! 🙂 On any given Sunday pastors across the land can be counted on to wear a mask, a mask that everything is alright. WHEN IT’S NOT! Truth is: many pastors are hurtin’ units and could stand to have some good old-fashioned words of encouragement. Authenticity is hard to come by these days knowing a job may be on the line.
I’m glad I serve a church which has people who allow me to be real. I hate politics of any kind. I am not impressed by what a person wears, drives, lives in, or makes. Just be real. Question: how do you treat your pastor? Do you encourage or discourage?
This is part of my random posts on this book.
Sounds like a waitress that thinks the tips are a little light.
Not sure I understand what you mean. Definitely not complaining about what I have here. I wouldn’t want to nor desire to be anywhere else.
The only way to eliminate politics is to eliminate people. They cannot be separated. Whether it is a church or any other business the politics is alive and well. I have always wondered why people go to church. Your article points to 25 things some people are there to think about.
I am naturally a person who sees things and breaks them down into the good and the bad. The same goes with my church, the congregation, and my pastor. However, I think that I encourage him and support him well beyond the level of my grumblings (smiles).
I’m sure Rob appreciates your support and encouragement.
I think part of the problem is that too many of us don’t get close enough to people to encourage or be encouraged.
i would agree.
Hi Bill,
Our worship leader started Sunday morning with a short personal story, ending with the reminder that none of us have life together, and a safe warm welcome. This urging to remove masks and to be honest about hard days is so important. I thanked him for setting the tone from the front, because we need to hear it everywhere so that people feel more and more comfortable, huh?
Me too. I’m still figuring things out, and have good days and hard days. It is safe and I love that.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
There definitely needs to be more honesty Jennifer. Your worship pastor encouraging that is good. Like you, I have those good and bad days.
Hi Bill! I did read the post you linked here and was just amazed at the comments. I had no idea what pastors have to put up with! Yikes…
I did ask my pastor out for coffee when he first came to our church. He declined and said something about me being addicted to caffeine. Okay…. Maybe someone should do an article about what pastors say to parishioners!
I do understand better now the pressure you are under, and how it’s just impossible to please everyone. Especially the people who complain about the toilet paper roll! Give me a break!
Keep on truckin’ my friend. You have a very healthy attitude.
Blessings,
Ceil
Some of those are extreme for sure Ceil, but I have been the brunt of some really cruel comments. My wife has had to hear some about me as well. 🙁 I’m not sure addiction to caffeine is a good reason to refuse coffee (even though I don’t drink it myself). More of my concern is being alone with a female, but that is another story for another time. 🙂 I don’t plan on quitting.
Thanks for the link…sobering. We missionaries have our own list of things said to us and about us. Some hurt, some makes us laugh, some we take to heart if we are not still hurting over the insensitive ones. Again Chuck Swindoll says it best for me. The greatest burden we will carry as Christian is being misunderstood. But we are in good company brother for Jesus was too. We are still learning to pick the questions we want to spent our time on answering and they are few. I, for one have misunderstood and made wrong judgement before about others before. So how can I not expect others to do the same with me. Through the years I have watched many missionaries quit due to this kind of thing. Thank God He is pleased with me because of Christ and He never ever misunderstands me. Good post
Missionaries definitely carry that same “stigma” with them Betty. So glad they have someone like you and Ace in their corner.
I hope I’m nothing but encouraging to my pastor, Bill. What a difficult job he as, as do you! By the way, visits here may be sporadic as I’m now down at my mother’s to receive her home from rehab and stay with her; internet here is snail paced at best!
Blessings!
I have this sneaking suspicion you are Martha. 🙂
I hope I encourage ;).
You both do Jacci. I value you and Andy and the friendship we have.
I have a musician friend whose motto is: Once we hit the stage, the B.S. stops. Our pastors are doing everything they can to keep it together while delivering God’s Word. I’m not saying that some Pastors are God’s gift to us, but the ones who are 😉 do need our encouragement every time we see them.
Well said Ed. Nothing like being honest- on stage or off.
Although I have children who tease him and I might on occasion; I value and appreciate my pastor. His words of wisdom and encouragement, his help in times of need and his friendship. Plus I love spending time with his wife even if I get accused of being a bad influence. 🙂