Do you know any real super heroes?  Super Man, Captain America, and Batman all come to mind, but they are comic strip and movie heroes that portrait the “Super Man” character qualities we may wish we had which includes never failing.

Super Heroes in Our Lives

Some of us have been blessed by people that, to us, have super hero qualities, like our Dad or Mom, a special grandparent, teacher, or coach.  We developed a very special relationship with them for one reason or another, perhaps because they took us under their “wing,” did special things with us, encouraged us to succeed or excel, or came along aside of us during a time of need.  We need these people in our lives.  In spite of all that these wonderful people do for us, they are a person just like us.  They have the same faults, deal with the same life issues we deal with, and fail, just like we do.  As inspiring, helpful, and encouraging as they may have been to us, their needs are the same as ours, they need inspiration, help and encouragement.

Pastors

We often think of our pastor as a super hero.  The pastor is there week in and week out, teaching the “word,” ministering to people, often managing the workings in the church, and sometimes cleaning the church toilets.  We often forget that pastors are people just like you and me.  They are human and prone to the same faults, blemishes, and discouragements as everyone else.  We hold them to a high standard, and indeed, we should, because they are the one leading the “flock.”  (Qualifications for leaders [Titus] and followers or soldiers of Christ – all of us [2 Timothy])  In spite of what we think, pastors are not super heroes even though they wish they could be.

Our small group has been studying “The Joy of Encouragement,” by David Jeremiah.  Dr. Jeremiah writes, “As a pastor (the only one in the church who doesn’t have a pastor), I’ve had to learn how to encourage myself.  I have discovered that our loving Father has provided all the resources we need.  It is true that we are commanded to bear one another’s burdens and encourage one another and edify and lift one another up, but there will be times when no one will be there for us but God.”

This is a sad statement.  We have placed pastors on a pedestal expecting them to handle all of life and minister to us, when in reality, they are just like us.  Their lives are filled with the same joys, sorrows, dreams and hopes, some realized, others not. Yes, God is there for the pastor, and for us in all times and all situations.

Realistic Perspective

It is time to gain a realistic perspective on the pastor, super hero, no, human, yes.  There are things that the pastor can’t do, some because no one is capable of that, others because it isn’t his responsibility, and others because of the nature of the profession.

Things pastors can’t do:

1. Read minds. Everybody knows that, but many church members hold pastors accountable for unstated expectations.
2. Be everywhere. No human being can be every place at once, yet some members still get angry when pastors have to say “No.”
3. Change hearts. Only God can do that.
4. Know everything. Most pastors study hard, but nobody can answer every question somebody asks.
5. Please everybody. Even Jesus couldn’t do that.
6. Live sinlessly. Nobody can. Including you. And me. We’re all sinners.
7. Grow churches. If the church does grow, it’s because God does it.
8. Multiply dollars. That’s too bad, too, since some churches don’t pay their pastors well.
9. Escape mistakes. All of us will mess up sometime, often unintentionally and even unknowingly.
10. Avoid favoritism. Pastors minister to everybody, but having better (and best) friends is natural.
11. Reveal everything. No matter how much you may want to know the details, pastors may not be in a position to tell you.
12. Ignore sin. Pastors must address this issue, even when it’s not popular.

“Things pastors can’t do,” source and author unknown

Super Hero Qualities of a Pastor

Because of what our pastor does, he displays many super hero qualities.  He enlightens us with God’s word, oversees the workings of the church, encourages the body of Christ with word, song and deed, comes along side in times of need, does not walk away from touchy issues, prays for us, our needs and concerns, and truly is God’s servant and messenger to our church.  But, because our pastor is still human, we may need to remind him from time to time that he can’t and shouldn’t do it all.  We (the church) need to do our part and come alongside our pastor with words of encouragement, a helping hand where needed, and even more important, pray daily for our pastor and church.

Guest Blogger: Joyce Blowers