As a pastor, one of my greatest privileges is having real conversations with the people in our church and with people outside of it looking for life change. I absolutely love meeting with real people who are willing to have real discussions. Over the last several months, I’ve come to realize that while people are very different, many share the same struggles. They share many of the same life, family, and even church struggles.
Here are 4 things I think most people wish their pastor knew…
- Church is important to me, but life happens.
I think there are a lot of people that realize how important church is. I hear it weekly, “We watched online but it wasn’t the same.” I think most people want to make church a priority. They actually do feel better when they’re in church on a Sunday morning. They love the people they see and how they feel when they leave.
But they have busy lives and can’t always plan around Sunday mornings. Not only that they can’t plan around it, but they get tired. They work all week and weekends feel like good days to sleep late and rest up. Sunday mornings and at least 2 hours of their day are hard to sacrifice. They often get determined to do it for a season but grow tired and lose motivation.
Church does have to be a discipline at times. There, I said it. It’s not always easy, but is so important in every family’s life.
- I want to be a giver, but I’m scared too.
Generosity really is fun. I think that’s true whether you’re a Christian or not. It’s fun to give and see the fruits of that giving.
But bills aren’t fun and many people lack the faith to give first. It’s not good, but it’s true. What do you do when a bill is starring you in the face and the offering plate comes by? You probably pay the bill.
Unfortunately, many people never make it past this place and experience the freedom and faithfulness God brings to a cheerful giver. You know what? I do get it. I also know the power of giving first.
- I don’t mind volunteering, but can you protect me too?
People often feel used by the church. They’re just a resource. Once the church burns them out, they just move to the next person. They feel underappreciated and overworked.
I think most people want a part to play in the Kingdom of God, but they don’t feel motivated or supported serving in the local church.
I wish more churches sought to protect volunteers and see the person first rather than the job they carry. I get it. It’s not fun to not be appreciated.
- Sometimes your sermons sound good but I can’t translate them to my real life.
An amazing sermon makes people feel good in the moment, but that good feeling wears off by Sunday afternoon. People have a hard time translating what they learn to real life. “How does that effect me on Tuesday afternoon?” they ask.
I hear you. While there’s power in simply reading the Word on a Sunday morning, I think there’s a disconnect on application many times. Much of the answer to that (as I’ve thought about it a lot) is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is alive and active and I count on him to teach long ofter church dismisses. The other part of that is sermons that help people apply them. Sermons that draw a bridge from the pulpit to practicing it on a daily basis. Not every Sunday, but some Sundays, we need to preach more obviously, “This is how you can do this.”
What would you add? If you’re someone that sits in a seat or a pew most Sunday mornings :) what would be your addition? Leave a comment below or let me know on social media.
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