Why in the world do I want to pastor?
This question is not something I actually ask myself, but I get that “look” when I tell someone I am a pastor, especially if they don’t know me to well. I guess it’s a logical question to ask & one that needs to be answered. So, for my first blog post on pChog Blog I will tackle this.
For the politically correct crowd, I’ll offer full disclosure up front, I tend to tell it like it is. My beautiful wife Maggie tells me all the time I need to filter what I say. My son keeps track of the crazy stuff I say & my daughter leans a little my way with how she handles things. (I feel for her husband) Maybe Maggie is right, I don’t know. I kind of like who I am & have a difficult time not saying things that need to be said. Is it a strength or weakness? You are welcome to pass the time pondering the thought. While you are thinking about it, I’ll be out helping someone or spending time with my family. If that turns your stomach a little, stop reading. It will only get worse from here.
Back to the subject at hand. Why in the world do I want to pastor? I actually don’t want to, at least not in the traditional sense. It’s not that I haven’t toyed with the idea before. There have been numerous opportunities since I started preaching to pastor a congregation, none of them felt right though. I’ve laid awake at night pondering the idea as people made their way in and out of my life seeking to use me in some sort of way. I’ve not really been the type to need a position or title, so I steered clear. It’s a good thing I did, because I would have failed. I see clearly now I would have been like every other “Traditional Tommy” pastor (Forgive me if your name is Tommy & you are a pastor, I promise if I had a beef with you, I wouldn’t be passive aggressive.)
You see, in my mind “Traditional Tommy” may not be the root cause of a lot of the issues we see in congregations today, but he is a huge contributing factor. He allows himself to be pruned & hobbled over time by either” Big Bertha talk a lot” or “By-Law Bill” and won’t do or say what needs to be said or done in fear of losing his income or title. Keep in mind, with any type of root, it grows below the surface where you can’t see & the longer it exists, the harder it will be & the more damage it will do to the good soil when we tear out the root.
It’s important to note that “Traditional Tommy” usually walks into a congregation because someone failed, was either ran off or just gave up. For a short while, he will be able to do & get away with things his predecessor wouldn’t have imagined. He is ready to take on the world & “Seek & save them that is lost” and the sheep follow him. He doesn’t walk in as “Traditional Tommy”, but rather evolves into the role over time. I understand he walked into a mess & has great intentions, just lousy follow through. “May the odds forever be in your favor.” Seriously, if that’s you starting out, you’re going to need all the help you can get. Those types of situations are where feelings get hurt, dreams die & aspirations turn into asphyxiation & you fade into a slow death. It happens way too often.
That scares me. That’s why I don’t want to be a pastor in the traditional sense. I don’t even like being called pastor. I have shared this with some of you, but feel it’s noteworthy to repeat. I would much rather the term “Pastor” be an action verb, as in what I am doing rather than a noun, as in what I am known as.
To me, pastoring should be messy. It involves getting down & dirty at times. Isn’t that most of our lives anyways? Do you have it all together? I certainly don’t. I don’t even wish I did…after all, how would I feel so close to God as I do now if it wasn’t for the storms he pulled me through. No storms, no need for help.
By the way, I love messy people. I’ve always had a heart for the underdog in life. Even before I “Got into church” I would find myself helping the ones who others would write off. I guess I relate better with the people that don’t pretend to have it all together, or can’t pretend because they are sooo busted in the act of being stupid. Certainly describes me. Been there, done that. I like the guys & gals that have a past & have the scars & tattoos to prove it. They are much more interesting to talk to.
So…if you are looking for the calm, traditional color inside the lines guy for a pastor, you should have stopped reading like I told you to. I’m sure “Traditional Tommy” is up the street somewhere, it won’t be hard to find a safe place to warm a pew.
If you got excited about the prospects of getting in the trenches, then hang on. I don’t promise a smooth ride or deluxe accommodations, but I do promise I will be there every step of the way. Especially when it gets messy.
Live for Christ,
Pastor Dan
This question is not something I actually ask myself, but I get that “look” when I tell someone I am a pastor, especially if they don’t know me to well. I guess it’s a logical question to ask & one that needs to be answered. So, for my first blog post on pChog Blog I will tackle this.
For the politically correct crowd, I’ll offer full disclosure up front, I tend to tell it like it is. My beautiful wife Maggie tells me all the time I need to filter what I say. My son keeps track of the crazy stuff I say & my daughter leans a little my way with how she handles things. (I feel for her husband) Maybe Maggie is right, I don’t know. I kind of like who I am & have a difficult time not saying things that need to be said. Is it a strength or weakness? You are welcome to pass the time pondering the thought. While you are thinking about it, I’ll be out helping someone or spending time with my family. If that turns your stomach a little, stop reading. It will only get worse from here.
Back to the subject at hand. Why in the world do I want to pastor? I actually don’t want to, at least not in the traditional sense. It’s not that I haven’t toyed with the idea before. There have been numerous opportunities since I started preaching to pastor a congregation, none of them felt right though. I’ve laid awake at night pondering the idea as people made their way in and out of my life seeking to use me in some sort of way. I’ve not really been the type to need a position or title, so I steered clear. It’s a good thing I did, because I would have failed. I see clearly now I would have been like every other “Traditional Tommy” pastor (Forgive me if your name is Tommy & you are a pastor, I promise if I had a beef with you, I wouldn’t be passive aggressive.)
You see, in my mind “Traditional Tommy” may not be the root cause of a lot of the issues we see in congregations today, but he is a huge contributing factor. He allows himself to be pruned & hobbled over time by either” Big Bertha talk a lot” or “By-Law Bill” and won’t do or say what needs to be said or done in fear of losing his income or title. Keep in mind, with any type of root, it grows below the surface where you can’t see & the longer it exists, the harder it will be & the more damage it will do to the good soil when we tear out the root.
It’s important to note that “Traditional Tommy” usually walks into a congregation because someone failed, was either ran off or just gave up. For a short while, he will be able to do & get away with things his predecessor wouldn’t have imagined. He is ready to take on the world & “Seek & save them that is lost” and the sheep follow him. He doesn’t walk in as “Traditional Tommy”, but rather evolves into the role over time. I understand he walked into a mess & has great intentions, just lousy follow through. “May the odds forever be in your favor.” Seriously, if that’s you starting out, you’re going to need all the help you can get. Those types of situations are where feelings get hurt, dreams die & aspirations turn into asphyxiation & you fade into a slow death. It happens way too often.
That scares me. That’s why I don’t want to be a pastor in the traditional sense. I don’t even like being called pastor. I have shared this with some of you, but feel it’s noteworthy to repeat. I would much rather the term “Pastor” be an action verb, as in what I am doing rather than a noun, as in what I am known as.
To me, pastoring should be messy. It involves getting down & dirty at times. Isn’t that most of our lives anyways? Do you have it all together? I certainly don’t. I don’t even wish I did…after all, how would I feel so close to God as I do now if it wasn’t for the storms he pulled me through. No storms, no need for help.
By the way, I love messy people. I’ve always had a heart for the underdog in life. Even before I “Got into church” I would find myself helping the ones who others would write off. I guess I relate better with the people that don’t pretend to have it all together, or can’t pretend because they are sooo busted in the act of being stupid. Certainly describes me. Been there, done that. I like the guys & gals that have a past & have the scars & tattoos to prove it. They are much more interesting to talk to.
So…if you are looking for the calm, traditional color inside the lines guy for a pastor, you should have stopped reading like I told you to. I’m sure “Traditional Tommy” is up the street somewhere, it won’t be hard to find a safe place to warm a pew.
If you got excited about the prospects of getting in the trenches, then hang on. I don’t promise a smooth ride or deluxe accommodations, but I do promise I will be there every step of the way. Especially when it gets messy.
Live for Christ,
Pastor Dan
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