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- Apr 25, 2006
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Grace For The Pastor
'Every High Priest is selected from among men' Hebrews 5:1
A military man is armed with combat uniform, designed to shield him from danger. An American footballer is kitted out in protective padding designed to safeguard him from numerous blows. A vicar is decked out in... a dress designed to be a cross between Laura Ashley and Monty Python!
It's as if the church wanted to do their creative best to single out their leaders for humiliation. Well, perhaps beneath the long flowing man-skirts, you'll find someone not quite as alien and weird as you think. Your vicar or pastor or youth-leader faces the same trials and temptations as you. Often the reason they can talk about the tough stuff from the pulpit is because they have faced the tough stuff in their lives.
Your church leader has scars and scrapes from life which you can learn from. Don't think just because he looks like he has God on speed-dial, that he doesn't struggle with his thoughts, doubts and failures. So instead of writing him off as someone you can't relate to, listen and learn. In fact, instead of jumping straight on what he is and what he's not, hold that critical tongue, and let rip with some serious prayer for the guy.
Your pastor didn't choose this job - God chose him (and you don't want to be caught badmouthing God's choice, right?) So why not bless your pastor with a kind word, a card and a prayer.
'Every High Priest is selected from among men' Hebrews 5:1
A military man is armed with combat uniform, designed to shield him from danger. An American footballer is kitted out in protective padding designed to safeguard him from numerous blows. A vicar is decked out in... a dress designed to be a cross between Laura Ashley and Monty Python!
It's as if the church wanted to do their creative best to single out their leaders for humiliation. Well, perhaps beneath the long flowing man-skirts, you'll find someone not quite as alien and weird as you think. Your vicar or pastor or youth-leader faces the same trials and temptations as you. Often the reason they can talk about the tough stuff from the pulpit is because they have faced the tough stuff in their lives.
Your church leader has scars and scrapes from life which you can learn from. Don't think just because he looks like he has God on speed-dial, that he doesn't struggle with his thoughts, doubts and failures. So instead of writing him off as someone you can't relate to, listen and learn. In fact, instead of jumping straight on what he is and what he's not, hold that critical tongue, and let rip with some serious prayer for the guy.
Your pastor didn't choose this job - God chose him (and you don't want to be caught badmouthing God's choice, right?) So why not bless your pastor with a kind word, a card and a prayer.
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