The disconnect for pastors is an all too familiar scenario. Pastors have a greater tendency to limit closer relationships with peers outside of the immediate family. The reasons for that may be obvious. Perhaps they have been burned by an insider who has abused confidential information? Maybe the expectations for pastors to have it together precludes vulnerability? Maybe the pastor is convinced that they are an exception? Whatever the reason, far too many pastors go without community all their ministry life.
Allow me to share a quote from Hellerman's book. This is why we must answer the question, (who are my brothers and sisters ?) in terms of of the people in our own congregations. It will not do for us to share our lives only with other leaders in the broader Christian community, as helpful as that might be on occassion. If a pastor is unwilling to risk openness with a handful of brothers is his church--for whatever reason--the the members will surely do likewise. We simply cannot take our people where we are unwilling to go. We must be willing to go there whatever the cost. AGREE?
Is the pastor enjoying community an oxymoron in your life?
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Tom, This is a real problem. In my experience it is difficult to look at the church as a family when others in the "family" are looking at the church as a business. The perception is that we need to put the best product out there. Therefore our CEO must be able to live and sell the product without fault. Instead I would hope the church would be a family of broken people all (even the pastor) looking to the Father for help and direction. The pastor in this way can risk openness. He is one of the family and is only set apart because of skill and gift set not superiority.
ReplyDeleteRick