Something Against A Pastor?
by Dr. Waylon B. Moore
Do you have something against a pastor? The latest “Leadership
Magazine” has articles on what to do when a pastor sins by adultery,
stealing, and addiction to pornography. But there was little on helping the
average pastor who is just human, making poor judgment calls on some of the
hundreds of decisions he makes over a year. Pastoral “success” is
often measured by the latest sales course or leadership seminar some church
member critic has taken. These critics rarely evaluate their Shepherd by God's
Word. The laymen's focus should be on the pastor's purity of life, love for
Jesus, prayer life, a servant-heart, winning the lost, vision, communication
skills, an encourager of the flock . . . caring, helping, warning, lifting the
sheep. Re-read 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus for God's words to pastors.
We are all in need of forgiveness. We have offended, or will offend someone,
for sure. As pastors we are sinners, shepherding sinners. If I missed a visit
to a sick member in the hospital, I got whacked. Or, someone I counseled quotes
me out of context, I got spanked. The more sheep in God's flock, the easier it
is to mess up. We need forgiveness from the Lord, and our people. Yet, some
people won't forgive. I've had people say when I asked for forgiveness,
“Oh I'll forgive you, but I can't (or won't) forget It.” That's not
forgiveness! If God defined forgiveness that way, we would all be in hell.
Perhaps you have something against a pastor? God says
“If you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive
your trespasses”
(Matthew 6:15). That's a promise! In our marriage we discovered about
conflict,
“Only by pride cometh contention”
(Proverbs 13:10).
Living with unforgiven sin is deadly dangerous before God. God is long
suffering and tender to us all. But there are awful warnings and judgments:
“I am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation”
(Exodus 20:5). Your unforgiven sins can damage your family up to great-grand
children! What a price for others to pay because of you. And you can't pray
your way out of it; one must repent and make restitution. We must forgive as
God forgives, and grow on.
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against
one another. Forgive as Christ forgave you”
(Colossians 3:13). Pray daily, asking God to bless your pastor!