Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! It’s… your pastor! Or at least how most people envision the pastor and other leaders in the church.

I know… you were expecting Super Man, right? I want to share a closely guarded secret in ministry that may get me kicked out of the club: pastors are just men. Like you, or maybe your husband, or some other men you may know… they struggle with life too.

This message may seem a bit silly, but the truth of it is powerfully important. Because we place our pastors, teachers, preachers, and others in leadership on pedestals, we develop unrealistic expectations about who they are (or even who they should be). Throughout Scripture, we see again and again that an extraordinary God uses ordinary people to change the world. Because we often forget this, we may find ourselves following teachers and preachers instead of who they should be pointing us to (Jesus).

If we are following the teachers and preachers more than the God they point us to, we are going to be disappointed. Time and time again I have seen, heard, or witnessed first hand how unrealistic expectations about our pastors have hurt the lives of so many. I want to share few well kept secrets you may not know:

  • Pastors have doubts and questions too
  • Pastors have struggles in their marriages
  • Pastors struggle in their relationships with their children
  • Pastors get angry
  • Pastors get hurt
  • Pastors feel overwhelmed
  • Pastors feel unappreciated
  • Pastors are people too

Hebrews Chapter 11 is a wonderful reminder of the faithful men and women God has used throughout history to change the world. These people have one thing in common: they were chosen and used by an incredible God. They also share one other important thing in common: they were all sinners that God showed incredible kindness, mercy, and love.

I want to close with this public service announcement: pray for your pastor. Love him. Support him. Look for ways to come along side him in the work God has called him to. Pray for his spouse, his children, and be there for them all. When the time comes… when they show you they are human too: love them any way. 

Categories: Messages