5 Myths About Pastors
I have respect for pastors, both as an ex-pastor and as someone who has been ministered to by some excellent pastors. Having said that, even when people respect pastors they may not understand pastors. I thought I would take some time to dispel some common myths about pastors.
1. Pastors only work one day a week.
Just because you may only see a pastor once a week does not mean they only work once a week. They spend time during the week preparing for the service, including writing their sermon (which takes a fair bit of time). They also attend meetings, visit families, go to nursing homes and visit the sick in hospitals.
2. Pastors are perfect.
People look up to pastors as if they are on some sort of pedestal. Pastors are not perfect in any way. Pastors have health, mental, financial, relational and every other problem you have. If you are looking for a perfect pastor, you can stop looking now.
3. Pastor’s families are perfect.
Unfortunately there has been much damage done by churches that had higher than reasonable expectations for pastor’s families. Churches have no right to put expectations on spouses and children. Churches hire the pastor and not the family.
4. Pastor’s never doubt.
Many people go to pastors when they have spiritual struggles and that is good. But don’t assume pastors never have doubts. Pastors struggle with why bad things happen to good people. Pastors wonder where God is when a young child suffers and dies. The counsel they give comes out of the background of the issues they have wrestled with.
5. Pastors couldn’t get a better job.
People become pastors not because of the lack of a better job but because they want to. In many denominations it requires a bachelor’s degree plus a Master of Divinity degree. Pastors often get additional degrees, as well as extra training. There is a lot of preparation for people to become pastors.
Bonus Myth: Pastors only talk about religion.
I have been accused of this. Yes pastors talk about religion. Personally they are Christian and professionally they are pastors. But that is not the only think they are interested in. Pastors enjoy sports, hobbies, books outside of theology, gardening, cooking, television, movies, etc. Pastors have the same interests as anyone else. They do not spend every waking minute with their nose in a Bible.
This is not the whole story of what it is like to be a pastor but hopefully it is a start of getting rid of some of the myths. If you want to know what your pastor does, just ask them!
Since when has pastoring become a trade? If God calls someone to shepherd a church then they remain called until released by Christ .
Self called shepherds are akin to hirelings.
Where does scripture state that a church requires a top dog elder?
Where are shepherds equated with elders?