Pastors Are People Too

Before I entered pastoral ministry, I had a very high regard for pastors, though I had relatively little understanding of what they did and why. There were vague ideas about preaching and pastoral care, but I could not fathom what they really were all about or what it actually took to fulfill the calling of a pastor. Once I had joined the staff of a dynamic church in San Francisco, I embarked on a crash course of learning and developing the heart of a pastor. It always left me in awe, as I still had very high regard for pastors, but did not see myself as fit for such a high calling. I was convinced that my humanness, my human weaknesses, would certainly disqualify me for such an important and honorable position.

Over the years, I discovered the joys and the heartaches most every pastor experiences. I learned by reading, sharing with other pastors, and mostly by trial and error (especially my errors, of which there were quite a few). I always felt there was more to learn. And indeed, there was.

Now that I am no longer in a full-time pastoral position, my love and respect for those in pastoral ministry has not diminished in the least. They are not perfect people, for no one, apart from Christ, is. But the fact that they are human, real live breathing persons, actually makes them better pastors. It’s not unlike Hebrews 4:15 which explains that Jesus is fully suited to be our intermediary and savior because of His humanity. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin” (NIV). Jesus can shepherd us because he gets us. And our pastors are equipped in part to shepherd because they get us, too. They know the trials and tribulations, the temptations and pitfalls, which lie in every person’s life.

My hope is that this book will not only be of help to lay people, but will be an asset to pastors. My hope is that the information offered here will provide a bridge of understanding and cooperation between pastors and their congregants. Now that I have a bit of distance from serving in a full-time position, my aim is to help the Church succeed in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) by uniting congregations with their leaders. As my first mentor in ministry, the Reverend Richard Jefferson, once said, when the church comes together with shared giftedness, shared leadership, and shared ministry, nothing, not even the gates of hell will be able to withstand us. By the grace of God, may it be so.