Do you remember the old commercial with the tag line: “Never let ’em see you sweat?” I always thought that was a crock. Go figure this one out: Here I am. It is 95 degrees outside, humid and I have just ridden 25 miles on my bike. Never let ’em see me sweat? For crying out loud! That is probably all they are going to see (or maybe smell so my kids used to say). Good thing I am a forgiving father. 🙂 ‘Course the fact that I would try to grab a hug might have had something to do with that…I’m just saying.
Many pastors carry that same philosophy into the pulpit and into their lives. I am going to try not to beat a dead horse this week but I have this burning passion inside me that is being fueled by Chuck Swindoll’s new book, The Church Awakening. I certainly don’t have the “voice” he has but with those I do influence, I do want to share some thoughts. (Of course can you expect anything less from a preacher?) When I first started preaching (that was back before many of you were probably even born), I was taught that the pastor spoke with authority and with that authority came the feeling that you should never admit humanness. Never admit that you were a fellow struggler or straggler (whichever one fits). Man, did that NOT serve me well! People could not relate to someone who acted high and mighty in the pulpit, as though he had it all together. If people only knew…least that is what I now think. Enlightening story: Chuck tells about the time he once thought way and acted that way. Then someone he respected told him, “Chuck, let people see the cracks in your life, and you’ll be able to minister to them.” As I read that, I tried to pinpoint when it hit me that my former approach was not working and I was only making a mess of things. But even as I write that, I have to remind myself (and you) that I don’t have to spill my guts all over the pulpit either. Decorum still stands. But people need to see REAL. I personally believe pastors ought to avoid pedestals. Too high up and it becomes target practice. Too low and the people have to search around for a scraper. I think the important issue is to be real before the people so that when they look they see the same type of person they are…a work in progress. A work designed by God. A work redeemed by God’s grace. A work being made new and into something so much finer than it was.
I want to close with a quote I have seen before but one that Chuck uses. It is by E.M. Bounds, a Civil War chaplain.
God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s methods. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men…What the church needs today is not more or better machinery, not new organizations or more novel methods. She needs men whom the Holy Spirit can use-men of prayer, men mighty in prayer…The Holy Spirit does not anoint plans, but men-men of prayer!
Go ahead. Chew on that one for awhile. And when you are done, please let me know what you are thinking. if you are a pastor, does this resonate within you? If you are not a pastor, is yours a man of prayer, one being used by God?
I’ve heard this quote before and I totally agree. Love it. Prayer is integral to any sustained movement of God. Gotta have it!
Thanks Bill.
jason: i know it is an old quote but figured there may be a few who may have not read it before. I know you know the integral part prayer plays. Praying for you
Well I sure hope my pastor is 🙂
He encourages us to prayer so I assume he is doing so himself as well.
I love this part:
The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men
That struck me big time!
Glad to hear your pastor is a praying man. Reminds me of This Present Darkness. 🙂 Let’s keep praying for that! Thanks for the comment Kim.
This is not a particularly encouraging quote for the ladies. It seems to put men ahead of them. Is there a good reason for that?
I think two things are to be considered Jeff. First, a more narrow view would see this quote from the Civil War era when views of he sexes were different. Second, to see “men” as a general term for both. Hope that helps.
Hi Bill,
This topic here reminds me of God giving Zerrubabel this message “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord”
It’s easier to rely on the Holy Spirit when we have exhausted all other ideas and methods and we are convinced in that moment that only God is going to be able to do something about things.
I’m at that place in a couple of areas in my life. If God doesn’t intervene then it won’t be happening. I have to rest in that. Maybe nothing can be done or will be done about these circumstances and except that. I think I have come to the place where I can submit to that answer from God.
What I’m praying for now is ‘if not deliverance then your provision for what is needed in these situations God.’ I feel a little bit like Jeremiah where I have become the laughingstock of my own family. “We all think that you are mentally ill mom. if our family had (or has) any problems it was because of you’.
You said ‘I don’t have to spill my guts…” I think this is a little bit of me spilling my guts.
Sorry about that.
Linda: that Scripture is an important one for all of us. It must be seen as the only way to go. I will pray for God to show you His plan and deliverance. Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time right now. Thanks for the comment.
This quote by bounds I found a few weeks ago and is at the top of my favorites.
I heard Craig Groeschel preach on this several years ago – it made an impact on me. I watched as Pastor friends preach with the idea that they never want the congregation to know that they have struggles. I actually had got advice to not let anyone know when I struggling or hurting because that might shake other people’s faith in God.
I learned through all this that I needed to be real with the people and they will connect to God because I am not putting on some fake picture that they can never live up too. When I do a funeral there are times I shed tears because I will miss the friend for whom I am doing it. I do not lose it but I am real enough that people do not see me as the Teflon Pastor – hard and slick. My goal is something I heard in the 7th grade from a Youth Pastor – be real and be you – and others will see Jesus.
Good thoughts Bill!
Jim: I think you have the right idea. Be real and people can connect. Fakes will fall apart eventually. thanks for a great comment.
Awesome Bill. Being real does seem to tear down walls and give those who are struggling hope. May we be the people God desires. Praying!
Thanks Tom. I know in 12 Steps one thing you are taught is be real. thanks for the comment.
I’m absolutely sick and tired of pompous preachers implying that they have no struggles. Perhaps that’s not the proper Christian perspective, but I simply won’t believe most of what a man says if he acts as though he never sins, never doubts, never falls, never lusts, never envies, never forgets to read his Bible, never even thinks a curse word.
I think there’s a very proper balance. I also think that trying to give the impression that one is perfect is a sure clue that they are not.
I know that no preacher is perfect, even though he’s called to live above reproach.
Being TOO open can be dangerous. But don’t lie about it and compound the issue.
What a great comment Bernard! you are not the only one sick of that. I think most people will admit the same feelings. I do agree about the balance so the issue is not compounded. Thanks for making your voice known!
Amen Bill, any of us need to “be real” not just Pastors for we all have areas of influence and impact.
Good thoughts everybody!
Jay: False people can be found about everywhere. You are right. Christ-followers need to be real…period. People are tired of shows. Thanks for the comment and to all.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
The gospel is so comfortable with God’s created order that manliness has a place, a vital place, in the church. Paul takes all he has taught in 1 Corinthians… the humility of the gospel, sexual integrity, marriage and singleness, personal entitlements, how to take communion, spiritual gifts, the resurrection… he translates all that theology into this practical summary: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Manliness is distorted by sin in many ways. But true manliness deserves to pervade our churches.
Ike: my apologies for not responding sooner. The storm earlier today took out the power. Appreciate hearing from you. you make an interesting point.
Pastor….at least you didn’t needle me about the “Phillies”:-)
I agree that for us to minister to other people, they need to see the real us. I was driving today when a phrase came to me, “When we’re truly healed, people will want to know our healer.”
E.M. Bounds quote, “Men are God’s methods. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men” has rendered me speechless.
Thanks for sharing this quote. It’s really blessed me, and I’ve shared it with others as well.
Jaycee: always appreciate your visits and comments. I like your thought. Brings the idea of attention going where it belongs. Glad the quote ministered to you and hope others also feel the power of it.