It’s almost become a weekly occurance. Like a predictable Wednesday or Thursday on the calendar, the fall of a publicly known pastor is becoming common place. This pastor did this. This one fell into sin. This one used their position to get something they shouldn’t have had. This one went too far in what they said. It’s happening at a rate that seems impossible in times of the past.
It’s heart breaking. It truly is. While we’re all human and we can all fall at anytime, these pastors are people that we expect more from… or expected more from. The office of Pastor is becoming no different from accountant or waitress in terms of respect. Many people have more respect for all other professions these days.
What do we do? What do people in churches all across the country and world do as they’re faced with one fall after another? Probably begin to doubt. Not doubting God (at least I hope not), but doubt that anyone is truly living what they say they believe. It makes sense, right? These falls are public and always hurt far more people than the man himself or even his immediate family.
What do we do? I think we have to adjust. I think we have to reaccess what “honor” looks like when it comes to the office of Pastor.
From my experience, there are usually two ends of the honor spectrum in churches.
On one side is a culture of honor that so revolves around the Senior Pastor it’s never healthy. This “honor” is one where the Pastor is never question, always agreed with, and adored in an unhealthy way.
On the other side, the culture of honor is non-existent. The Senior Pastor is no different from anyone in the congregation. They don’t deserve to be paid, don’t deserve to rest, and are at the congregations beckon call.
There has to be a different way in this different culture of fallen pastors.
What if…
What if the office of Pastor didn’t lose all sense of respect and honor, instead, what if it was more healthy. What if Pastors lived, taught, and loved from a place of servant leadership? What if Pastors recieved honor but didn’t force it? What if Pastors kept people close to them that would call them out, have hard conversations, and hold them accountable? What if we didn’t throw the baby out with the bath water and pastors were people we loved, respected but recognized as human?
What if those of us now in that place of “Pastor” lived authentic, humble lives? Lives that were lived to serve. Lives that were worthy of honor. Lives that honored the Father and made room for him to teach, convict, and correct us.
Pastors are losing respect. The position is losing honor. I believe it can be restored.
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