1 Thessalonians 2:8 - So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Hardly any church member has even the slightest clue how much the pastor cares for him and wants the right things for him; how much the pastor has a vested personal interest in the member's success in life. The member has no idea how much prayer is covering his daily routine, and how much trouble he has avoided due to his pastor's prayers for him. He has no understanding how his pastor has defended him to others that come in with petty complaints regarding their fellow member, and how many offenses his pastor has deflected from going his direction; how much trouble and drama has failed to reach his ears, but was nipped in the bud by the wisdom of a man watching for his soul. He knows not how much energy his pastor has expended in Bible study to be able to say just the right thing at just the right time; how much the member's own personal problems were studied out by the pastor.
Instead he thinks of his pastor like he thinks of his plumber. He doesn't realize he thinks that way, but most church members do. "The plumber is here to do a job, not too much personal in the job, but he's willing to be my personal friend 'on the side' as well. But if he ever makes a mistake or two in my plumbing, I will call up somebody else." And so with the pastor too it goes.
It works for a plumber, because the plumber only imparts to you his time, talents and energies, in exchange for your money. But your pastor has imparted to you his very soul, expecting nothing tangible in return. That ought to mean a lot more to you when the difficult situation comes.
There might be times for a pastor to resign or a member to leave. But there is never a time to dishonor, disrespect or simply cut off or ignore a man who has willingly and lovingly imparted his soul for the benefit of others. Yet that is exactly how it so often plays out. God forgive us.
VM
Hardly any church member has even the slightest clue how much the pastor cares for him and wants the right things for him; how much the pastor has a vested personal interest in the member's success in life. The member has no idea how much prayer is covering his daily routine, and how much trouble he has avoided due to his pastor's prayers for him. He has no understanding how his pastor has defended him to others that come in with petty complaints regarding their fellow member, and how many offenses his pastor has deflected from going his direction; how much trouble and drama has failed to reach his ears, but was nipped in the bud by the wisdom of a man watching for his soul. He knows not how much energy his pastor has expended in Bible study to be able to say just the right thing at just the right time; how much the member's own personal problems were studied out by the pastor.
Instead he thinks of his pastor like he thinks of his plumber. He doesn't realize he thinks that way, but most church members do. "The plumber is here to do a job, not too much personal in the job, but he's willing to be my personal friend 'on the side' as well. But if he ever makes a mistake or two in my plumbing, I will call up somebody else." And so with the pastor too it goes.
It works for a plumber, because the plumber only imparts to you his time, talents and energies, in exchange for your money. But your pastor has imparted to you his very soul, expecting nothing tangible in return. That ought to mean a lot more to you when the difficult situation comes.
There might be times for a pastor to resign or a member to leave. But there is never a time to dishonor, disrespect or simply cut off or ignore a man who has willingly and lovingly imparted his soul for the benefit of others. Yet that is exactly how it so often plays out. God forgive us.
VM
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