So far we’ve covered…
- #1 - The “I’m Going To Leave If” Person
- #2 - The “Let Me Tell You How Much Money I Have” Person
- #3 - The “Feed Me” Person
- #4 - The “At My Other Church” Person
- #5 - The “This Is Too Big” Person
Now for the last two…
#6 - The “I Want To Know The Pastor If I’m Going To Be Here” Person
Here’s the deal, pastor, you and I are called by God to lead His church.
BUT…before that is an even greater call on our lives to love Jesus, love our wife and love and disciple our children…and there is no way that you can do all of that and also grill hot dogs with everyone in your church!
For too long pastors have been manipulated by church people into a “a pastor ought to know his church people” mentality. A thought that sounds good on the surface…EXCEPT for the fact that it is COMPLETELY un-Biblical! (Acts 6:1-7 is just one example. Exodus 18 is another!)
If a person comes in claiming they need to know you—TRUST ME ON THIS ONE—they have an agenda a mile long!!!
Yes, we should have relationships with the people we serve…but those should be led by the Holy Spirit and should NEVER take away from the first four priorities that I mentioned earlier. I lead a home group of incredible people who are not currently on staff. I go to lunch with lots of people in our church—but I never allow myself to be “guilted’ into doing so…and you can’t either.
Pastor, let me warn you—there are church people out there who will allow you to spend all your time with them…and then when your marriage falls apart or your kid turns out to be a hellion or you begin to fall apart spiritually they will turn on you so fast it isn’t funny!!! I’ve seen it…so have you—that is why you must prioritize your life…and if you don’t have time for every social in the church…so be it!
#7 - The “This Place Is Too Judgmental” Person
I was reading the other morning in the OT (either Jeremiah or Ezekiel) that if a prophet doesn’t preach repentance then he isn’t a true prophet.
Pastor, any time you begin to call people out in their sin…the fertilizer will hit the fan…and you will be labeled as an intolerant, judgmental preacher.
BUT…
The only people who get angry when you preach on giving are those who bow before money.
The only people who get angry when you preach on sexual immorality are the sexual immoral.
The only people who get angry when you preach on adultery are those who are committing adultery…or those who really want to.
The only people who get angry when you preach on gossip are the people on the prayer chain…uh…I mean those who are gossiping.
Pastors, speaking about sin isn’t easy…but it’s right. We are called to call for confession and repentance…and offer hope for those who are willing to follow Christ.
If someone isn’t angry at you then pray for God to set you on fire and lead you to preach a message that will hit the majority of your church between the eyes…and then HANG ON!