How to scare your pastor in 5 easy steps

Okay a little tongue in cheek here, but humour me on this...

How to scare your pastor in 5 easy steps...

1) Tell him, "This is how we ALWAYS do this..." This phrase puts fear into a pastor's heart more than most others. It's not that I hate all traditions, but some need to fade away. To hear that phrase to a pastor means there could be a resistance to change whether it is music or the carpet or expansion or even the service order. Hopefully not, but you never know...

2) No pastor's office. Okay not that an office is a deal breaker, but if your church can't give your pastor a church office to work from and do counselling in, then what does that tell him and anyone he tries to minister to? 

3) Expect them to take a financial loss to come to your glorious charge! This is something I can't grasp. It's okay for a pastor to take a financial hit to come serve at the church, maybe sell a home for less than what he paid for it in the beginning just so that he can serve? Then when he doesn't do that be told he doesn't have enough faith? I disagree. We have to be financially responsible to provide for our families too.

4) You cannot have any outside income - you're our pastor, it'd take time away from us! Wow. Most won't say that to a pastor's face, but they expect it. There are a lot of underpaid pastors out there. Some have to take a part time job to supplement their ministry. Then when they do, the people get their noses out of joint thinking the pastor doesn't have enough faith. No. They don't have enough money for their family. Solution? Pay the pastor more or allow them to have that second income without harping on them.

5) Expect them to do everything. I once had a church jokingly say that to me in a potential position when I asked what they would like me to do. They laughed, but I could tell there was a line of truth to it... Oh... everything... Some churches put all their hopes on the pastor - preaching (given), to worship (somewhat expected to have input here right?), to programmes, outreach, visitation, and the list goes on and on... This is a sure fire way to burn out a pastor - expect them to really do everything and when they don't criticize them. 

To any potential churches out there looking for pastors, be careful of these items when looking for a pastor. Don't wait to give the fine print of your church until they're already there and serving - that can cause resentment. Just some food for thought. Do what you will with it... 

In Christ,

Pastor Andrew Robertson