AN IMPORTANT ARTICLE DEDICATED TO ALL THE PASTORS "OUT THERE" AND THEIR PRECIOUS FLOCKS HOW YOU SHOULD TREAT YOUR PASTOR EVEN IF YOU DECIDE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.... I have evangelized for 42 years. Last year, Elizabeth and I began pastoring in Cleveland, TN. Developing closer and stronger relationships with “God’s sheep” has been a rich and fulfilling experience (we really LOVE our church and we really LOVE our people). However, in the short time we have been pastoring (about ten months) we have noticed, even among really decent and good people, a disturbing trend—a behavior pattern that even unsaved people of the world would frown upon. A church relationship is covenantal. That means you do each other “no harm” and you do each other “nothing but good” (Gen. 26:29). Therefore, you should be honest in your dealings with each other, transparent, caring, forgiving and compassionate. You should always be upfront and real, communicating your feelings in love and in kindness. Because David was in covenant with Jonathan, he even promised to show him and his offspring “the kindness of the Lord” (1 Sam. 20:14). Church members should feel this same compulsion, toward each other and especially toward their leaders—showing the same level of kindness and understanding toward one another that we would all expect from God Himself. That means you should never take for granted the commitment of your pastors toward you and your family, or their deposit of time and effort to grow you in the Lord and in the Word. The investment of one life into another is a sacred gift and not to be tossed aside as if it meant nothing. Think of all the hours spent in prayer, in preparing messages, in promoting your gift, in helping you and your family, visiting the hospital, being personally involved in your life. Shouldn’t you respect that deeply, so much so that you give “double honor” to those who “labor in the Word and doctrine” (1 Tim. 5:17). Because it might just happen…there may come a day when you feel it is time to move on. You may sincerely feel that you are supposed to go another direction—possibly through the influence of others, or because God has actually spoken to your heart, or maybe you were offended at something or interpreted words or actions in a negative way. So what do you do? Do you just quit—with no explanation, no phone call, not even an email? Why would you do such a thing? Are you afraid of being honest? Are you guarding your own feelings? If your pastor or pastors really love you—and if you really feel in your heart to change directions—they will understand and give you their blessing, and still be there for you whenever you need them. Maintaining that connection is really important for you. Don’t heartlessly shut the door on those who have opened the door of their heart wide to you—and made themselves emotionally vulnerable in the process. You would expect behavior like that from bad people, but not from good people. When there is misunderstanding in families they usually try to “talk it out”—they communicate, so that true motives and the right interpretation of words and actions can be discerned. Why? Because family is important enough to make that effort. Well your church family is also important enough to make that effort. Think about it! How would you feel? If you were in their shoes, wouldn’t you appreciate at least a warm and sincere “Thank you”? Wouldn’t you appreciate at least an explanation of what is happening in your life and why you are making this decision? Don’t you think you owe a debt of kindness? Remember the age-old maxim, because it is still true today. It’s called the ROYAL LAW and the GOLDEN RULE—and rightfully so: “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.” I think we would all agree—that’s a great rule to live by.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 03:01:00 +0000
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