Let’s be honest with each other.
We all make assumptions (major or minor) about other human beings. Assumptions
can be on almost anything. As perfect as I might like to believe I am, as a
skinner older man (due to bariatric surgery); I have to be cautious not to make
assumptions on the character of larger people.
Philippians 2:3 (TPT) tells us all
how to act in the area of making assumptions about other people. (This is great
biblical advice I need to follow, too). “Be
free from pride-filled opinions, for
they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to
hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others
as more important than yourselves.”
If
I had to pick one profession that is full of assumptions, it would be that of a
pastor. I believe this is a calling from God (that not everyone can do). Over
the years I can’t tell you the number of times people I have met that believe I
am a pastor (or should be training to be one). I want less drama in my life at
my current age. Can you just imagine a church with me in charge of it? The
thought gives me a headache. Growing up my family was charter members of my childhood church. My parents, siblings, and I got to know the pastor (and his family) on a much more personal, intimate level(the Dinoffs of Fellowship Baptist Church, Columbus, OH) than most of the congregation did.
This
is a job for those who want to be difference makers. Unfortunately, people can
be critical of leaders and their families). Though the pastor and his family
are fallible humans, people can sometimes have perfection expectations that
don’t allow for a lot of grace (at times). Being a pastor of a church (large or
small) comes with duties like delegating responsibility, making sure events are
run in a timely and in an efficient manner, and dealing with the life events
and fluctuating emotions of a congregation.
If
you have a regular church you attend, do me a favor. Be an encourager to your
pastor (instead of an enemy). Let him know you care about him, and support all
the good he is trying to do for your church community. He will appreciate it
(for sure).[i]
[i] This post is dedicated to my own pastor, Dave Jansen
of CenterPoint Church Gahanna in Gahanna, Oh.
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| My pastor, Dave Jansen |
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