By Chuck Lawless
Pastors are, in my judgment, amazing people. They faithfully serve Sunday after Sunday, often with no desire for recognition or fame. In faith, they can do a lot—but here are several things they can’t do:
- Read minds. Everybody knows that, but many church members hold pastors accountable for unstated expectations.
- Be everywhere. No human being can be every place at once, yet some members still get angry when pastors have to say “No.”
- Change hearts. Only God can do that.
- Know everything. Most pastors study hard, but nobody can answer every question somebody asks.
- Please everybody. Even Jesus couldn’t do that.
- Live sinlessly. Nobody can. Including you. And me. We’re all sinners.
- Grow churches. If the church does grow, it’s because God does it.
- Multiply dollars. That’s too bad, too, since some churches don’t pay their pastors well.
- Escape mistakes. All of us will mess up sometime, often unintentionally and even unknowingly.
- Avoid favoritism. Pastors minister to everybody, but having better (and best) friends is natural.
- Reveal everything. No matter how much you may want to know the details, pastors may not be in a position to tell you.
- Ignore sin. Pastors must address this issue, even when it’s not popular.
Chuck Lawless currently serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions and Dean of Graduate Studies at Southeastern Seminary.