your church in a fit of passion. In a rush of anger. Do that and you’ll inflict
great harm on the church and ruin all the good will you have accumulated by
years of faithful service.
That’s a huge no-no for preachers.
Last Sunday, I was pleased to see a military chaplain
back in town, visiting his family and our church with his wife and children. We
reminisced over a little history going back to when he was a local
pastor.
church members, as the pastor, he had unloaded on the congregation and ended up
walking out on them in the middle of his message. Then, if that were not bad
enough, in that evening’s service, he began by apologizing. But he kept on
talking. The more he talked and explained, the more the anger still festering
inside broke loose and spewed out onto the congregation. Once again, he walked
out, leaving the congregation sitting there stunned.
The next day I
mediated between him and his deacons, as they accepted his
resignation.
That was a number of years ago, and he tells me that, like
untold millions of people before him, the Army made him grow up.
Okay. Do
not do that. Do not vent your anger on your congregation. Not ever.
Here
are five others no-no’s that come to mind….
1) Never violate a
confidence, either in or out of the pulpit.
“But that story is too good
not to tell.” Ever heard that? Or worse, have you ever said it?
If you
must, ask the individual for permission to tell the story no closer than a
hundred miles away and assure them you will camouflage details and change names
so no one would ever make the connection.
2) Never tell a story on
your wife without her full support.
And I mean enthusiastic affirmation,
not begrudging. However, don’t be surprised if she never gives permission for
you to use anything she said or did. Most wives do not appreciate becoming the
subject of her husband’s sermon.
Violating that will result in conditions
you would not wish on your worst enemy, pastor. It’s not worth it, believe
me.
That said, if you can, see if she will agree to let you tell the
story as having happened to “a pastor I know and his wife.” If you do this, you
must rehearse it 23 times to make sure nothing slips out that
shouldn’t.
3) Never fail to minister to someone because “they don’t
deserve it.”
Be thankful you are not given what you deserve. “Freely
you have received; freely give.”
4) Never make a promise you do not
keep.
If you said you’d look something up and get back to the
questioner, do that promptly. If you fail in this and remember it sometime
later, write them a note nowwith a sincere apology.
And on that subject,
never fail to apologize when an apology is in order. Far from that diminishing
you, you will grow in the minds and hearts of those to whom you
apologize.
5) Never take the week between Christmas and New Year’s as
personal vacation time.
It’s the quietest week of the year, and a great
time to go into the office for a few hours each day and get some work done.
Since nothing is happening at church, you and your family will have the evenings
to yourself. I always loved that week.
[written by Joe McKeever]
