Podcast Episode #570
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We hear from hundreds and hundreds of pastors every week. Many of them are hurting. Today, we cover seven most common ways church members hurt their pastors.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- If you’re criticizing the pastor via the pastor’s spouse or kids, that’s absolutely cowardly.
- It’s rare for pastors to be overpaid. Many are simply underpaid.
- The constant criticism many pastors face is basically death by a thousand cuts.
- You shouldn’t compare your pastor’s preaching to that which you hear on podcasts.
The seven ways we discuss are:
- Criticize the pastor’s family.
- Tell pastors they are overpaid.
- Don’t defend pastors when they are attacked.
- Tell the pastors they have an easy job.
- Be a constant naysayer and critic.
- Make comments about the pastor’s personal expenditures.
- Compare you pastor’s preaching negatively to other preaching.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Episode Sponsors
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Scrappy Church.
One of the worst things I have been told by someone in church is: “Have you heard that other preacher? That is truly a great preacher and servant of God.” The fact is that people often say things like that. Now, do they do it on purpose with the ultimate intention of creating conflict and inflicting pain? It’s hard to think they do it inadvertently a hundred percent of the time. Have you heard of Clergy Killers! They intentionally target pastors for serious injury or destruction. This is not someone who just disagrees with the pastor, injures inadvertently, or even opposes some pastoral project or issue. Check this one out: G. Lloyd Rediger. Clergy Killers: Guidance for Pastors and Congregations Under Attack. Logos Productions, 1997. Blessings to all!
When I got a supply preacher once, a woman came to me and said, “Thank you for getting someone to supply for you who could really preach.”
Unfortunately, Fred, lots of people in church today don’t have an idea what to respect their pastor means. They bring their own baggage; they think they have all the right answers and they are sure they know how the church is run and what a good or bad for preacher is. What they miss is that their pastor is God’s prophetic voice for Godself’s people at this time and they should respect that even when that person doesn’t fit their definition of what a good preacher is.
We once wrote new lyrics to “50 Ways to to Leave your Lover” (Paul Simon) and titled it “50 Ways to Love Your Neighbor.”
I hear you, Roger, but it seems people in church today think if the pastor doesn’t live on their block, she/he is not their neighbor!!! Their attitudes and actions generally keep their pastor out of their neighbors list! Then, on top of that, pastos are generally held accountable at a higher standard than the rest of the people!!! Like pastors are some kind of god.