This is part 2 of last week’s post “Paid Professionals on Pedestals”.
When I meet someone for the first time and we get around to saying what we do for a living I say, “I’m a pastor…” and then add something like “…but not THAT KIND of pastor” or “…but don’t get the wrong idea.”
The perceptions of what a pastor is and does vary widely but it’s safe to say that whatever thoughts they’re thinking when they hear the words “I’m a pastor…” aren’t working in my favor.
Inside and Outside
Pastors are not generally known as average guys who struggle with the same things “other” people do. We don’t have ethical dilemmas because we know black from white; we never question the existence of God because we have a direct connection upstairs; we are the ones with the answers. These are the things that church people are prone to think.
Non-church people’s perceptions are informed more by movies and television than by numerous opportunities to interact with a live specimen. And you know the pastor-types you see on television: precious few embody a resemblance to Christ that’s likely to give the impression of humility, meekness, or a lack of self-interest. Those are the guys who put themselves on screen voluntarily. If a pastor is written into a script the portrayal is likely to be even more negative.
But the fact that non-church people know few to no pastors is part of the problem too. We pastors spend too much time sequestered in our offices. This is partly because of conventional expectations and partly because we’re just as afraid of the potential awkwardness of community social interaction as you are.
We’re the ones who tell other people to go out and get involved while maintaining a healthy distance ourselves.
Absence as Convenience
This is convenient for some of you at times when you’re engaging in something you find ethically gray. 
After all, you can’t have Pastor Black and White bringing definition to the situation – where’s the fun in that? For the pastor’s part, it’s no fun either. People feel obligated to resist things like cussing when in your presence and when an odd cuss word slips out there’s always the awkward apology.
(I’ve never understood this. It’s OK folks: I’ve HEARD those words before. I’ve even used them myself on occasion when, in a weak moment, the other thousands of words I knew just didn’t seem to adequately express what I was feeling at the moment. It’s really OK – my ears don’t burn when I hear certain English language words that start with F, D or H.)
But I also don’t want to be that young, eager pastor who cusses, drinks, and smokes to prove to everyone that I’m even MORE regular than they are. “Look at me – I do things you think that I think are wrong just to prove to you that Jesus LOVES YOU!” What?
The Realities of Pastoring
Guess what – your pastor struggles with ethical issues; your pastor asks the same questions about God that you do sometimes; your pastor struggles with answers sometimes. If your pastor says he doesn’t struggle with some of these things, it’s probably time for a serious job review.
Am I saying that pastors are NOT special people? Nope. We’re special in our way and you’re special in yours. We’re looking for recognition and affirmation in the things that God’s called us to do, but we’re also interested in recognizing and affirming those things in your lives that God has called you to do.
Workers and Coworkers
The fact that we work out our calling in part on a platform or stage indicates absolutely nothing about our superiority over you. We’ve been called to train and equip and teach and all those other things that pastors do, but that’s not all.
We’re also called to be co-workers with you. Your pastor has just as much responsibility in your church body and your community as you do, and it’s time you start telling him that.
And just because we get paid for it doesn’t mean it means more when we do it.
It also doesn’t mean that it’s not your responsibility too.
