Pastors Are People (Part 1)

In my many years of Christian experience I have received the Gospel from the lips of many men of God—some brilliant, who spoke with great eloquence; some humble, who spoke with great simplicity.  From each I received a blessing.  In fact, I can in all honesty that almost never have I gone to the house of God and come away empty.  Part of the reason for this may have been that, like the lame man at the gate called Beautiful, I looked on these men “expecting to receive” something; but mostly, because God honors His Word wherever it is preached in sincerity and truth.  Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto men.”  And He does.

Any man or woman called of God to preach the Gospel has been chosen for the most exalted position this world has to offer.  It is certainly with no idea of detracting from the honor of their position that I make the statement, “Pastors are people.”  These words are not meant to convey the thought that they are merely people, but rather that they, too, are people.

Pastors Have Feelings—

Pastors are people!  They have feelings.  Few of us would think of criticizing a fellow member of the congregation for the way their spouse dresses or their children behave, but we seem to think it is our business to keep an eye on the pastor’s family.  Did you ever hear this: “Why are the preacher’s children always the very worst?”  The answer, of course, is that they are not.  It is only that more people observe them.  Ministers are public servants, but their families are not public property.  It is true that “a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid,” but that is no reason one should throw stones at it.  What would be considered rudeness, if spoken of anyone else, is sometimes said of the pastor’s family with an actual sense of having fulfilled a glorious obligation.

Pastors Get Tired—

Pastors are people!  They get tired.  They have physical limitations.  It is no easier for them to work constantly than for any other human being.  Even Jesus became weary, else why was He asleep on a pillow during the storm at sea?  How prone we are to ask of the pastor, “Where were you when I was sick?” as though we were the only folk they had to look after!

Our individual troubles are not unique to the pastor; they are a part of a long succession of similar experiences covering the entire congregation.  No matter how much one may long to do for others, human strength cannot be stretched beyond a certain limit.  There is a breaking point for all men or women.  One of the finest sermons I ever listened to was preached by a pastor who had been up all night with a dying man.  His message was undoubtedly enriched by this experience.  Nevertheless, his life was shortened because he spent his strength too freely for his people.  Because few pastors will spare themselves when they feel they are needed, it becomes the obligation of the congregation not to make thoughtless demands upon them.

--Helene Frazee-Bowler