lies for pastors
Some lies we young pastors tell ourselves:
1. I am really important
2. My advice is really good advice
3. They don't like me because I am standing for the truth
4. Being a pastor is such a hard life
5. People should listen to me
6. If I were more faithful, more people would come
7. Its not about quantity of people its about the quality of ministry
8. Me sinning is worse than someone else sinning
9. I know God better than you do
10. People just don't understand me
11. Sermon prep isn't as important as being with people
12. Hanging out with people isn't as important as preparing for a sermon
(With #11 and #12, we tend to pick whichever lie fits our mood or personality)
13. I minister to people
14. No one will know but me and God and He will forgive me.
15. My church is better
16. God will raise me up to become someone great
17. People need me
18. Failure is not an option
19. I know more about ministry than my old pastor
20. I am going to change the world
posted by Mark @ 12:30 AM
15 comments
15 Comments:
is 7 a lie?
second that question
Is 7 a lie?
I think it can be. It can be an excuse that we pastors like to say. The real reason growth isn't happening may be poor leadership, it may be our lack of seeking God's guidance and direction, it may be pride. It may be a lot of things but we will chalk it up to the fact that "its not about numbers."
And its not about numbers. But it is about growth. Living things grow. Organic churches that are healthy grow. Organic churches that are not healthy do not. We like to make it an either/or game of quality or quantity. I don't think we see that kind of dichotomy in scripture. Quality usually leads to quantity and depth.
that's not a lie, it's a missapplied truth - and that's an excuse.
liked the rest, though
Man, Tali, you are the Queen of B.S. And I quote: "that's not a lie, it's a missaplied truth." You should have worked for the Clinton administration. You'd be a great press secretary.
you don't get the whole "avoiding personal attacks in debate" thing, do you?
Bella: I liked your question.
Tali: I agree with Mark's assessment to your response. I hope you guys talk about it more in a non blog comment environment. ;)
Mark:: I've been thinking about this list for a few days; and initially I liked the whole list and how it could humble a prideful, young, inexperienced pastor but tonight I look again and don't see "the truth" is accepting all of the lies on this list.
Examples:
1. Sometimes a pastor will tell themself "I am really important." and they are.
17. Somtimes a pastor will believe "People need me" and they do.
At the same time, I recognize you do have within the list a few lies that will always, in every situation, be a lie.
Examples:
8. "Me sinning is worse than someone else sinning." will never be true.
9. "I know God better than you do" will never be true.
(If either of these could be true, we wouldn't know until we are in heaven.)
Perhaps this list wasn't meant to all be absolute truths (as you point out 11 and 12 are themselves mutually exclusive), but regardless I'm glad you posted your thoughts and in turn made me think about it. :)
Tronster,
You are right. These thought fall more in line with how the book of Proverbs says things. When we read Proverbs we read true proverbial statements of wisdom. But sometimes, when read side by side, they seem to contradict or oppose each other.
The reality is that these lies are situational. Every context is different. Sometimes abused pastors have been beaten down so much by their congregation that they need encouraging words like "You are important" and "We need you."
The context I was speaking to mostly, and every young pastor is different, is to the confident young pastor who thinks he/she has it all figured out.
So you are right to point out that these are not universal lies, but situational and contextual lies.
As for Tali, she is quickly becoming my favorite person to pick on these days. If she is not careful, she will quickly surpass Rebecca Miller as the favorite little sister to pick on for the Horizon community.
big sister, stephenson. big sister.
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Nobody picks on my Tali or my Rebecca and gets away with it. For that matter, no one picks on my bro and gets away with it. Better not pick on each other or I have a serious dilema...
Big Sister Stephenson :-) (I like that title)
So, other than knowing they are lies, how do we combat them?
There are things rattling around in my head that I KNOW aren't true, but sometimes don't leave no matter how untrue I know them to be. Especially when it comes to leadership
Here are some links that I believe will be interested
Your are Nice. And so is your site! Maybe you need some more pictures. Will return in the near future.
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Great site lots of usefull infomation here.
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