I want to look at unrealistic expectations that churches place on their pastors. Go ahead and google “pastor job descriptions” (I mentioned this briefly in a previous post) grab a cup of coffee and prepare to be entertained. I’ve said this before but it bears repeating: churches that have large unbiblical job descriptions are lazy congregations. They unload everything on their pastor and then act surprised when he burns out after a few years.
I can only speak for the SBC (Southern Baptist Church) because that is what I was raised in and for the 19 out of 20 years (A brief stop in the Brethren Church, looking at you Q-Berry) that is where I serve/served. But, I am sure that every denomination has their version of what a pastor is supposed to do. A cookie cutter “pastor” that fits the mold.
The cookie cutter mentality is basically that there are expectations for the pastor and the pastor needs to live up to them. We will go more into that in a few. But first let’s look at some Biblical expectations of the pastor:
2nd Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2nd Timothy 4:2-4: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.”
1st Peter 5:1-4: “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
A pastor needs to “rightly handle” God’s Word. You know, don’t twist it or deny it. Sadly most congregations do not even care about this anymore. You cannot “preach the word” if you’re twisting it. We are to be prepared in season and out of season, always prepared if you will. We are to “correct”, “rebuke”, and “encourage” with patience and careful instruction. We are to “shepherd” the flock of God willingly and not for shameful gain. This is but a few examples of Biblical expectations that a church should expect their pastor to do. This is what should be the pastors job description.
Instead we have to dress to a certain standard or we are judged. Our wives and children have to be perfect. We have to be at every single church event… ever. We cannot be angry, or sad, or anxious. We are not allowed to set healthy boundaries. We have to cut our vacations short because of an emergency in the church. We are expected to do every wedding or funeral that comes our way. We are expected to visit, call, (Even though it’s not reciprocated) flatter, massage egos, and have extra sensory perception. We are expected to bend over backwards and be doormats and to chase down people who are grumpy and leave the church. We are expected to grow the church (Last time I checked that’s Gods job) and bring in families that tithe. We are not allowed to sin, or to struggle, and God forbid be transparent about it.
We have to fit into everyone’s perception of what a pastor “should be”. Seriously? Yeah, I’m afraid so. The pastors that are reading this, you know what I’m writing is true even if you are afraid to admit it.
Hey pastor, have you noticed that everyone in the church knows how to do your job but yet they do not want your job? It is utter insanity.
Unrealistic expectations will destroy a pastor and by extension a church. So pastor, please take a breath and realize that you are not Superman and you cannot do it all. You were never meant to.
I decided to do my best to live up to Scriptures description of the office and if the Council of theological geniuses (laymen voted in by their family) fires me then so be it.