Your Personal Pace, Part 5

September 3, 2008

I want to keep moving in this series of posts on your personal pace. Click on these link to get to Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

We all have job descriptions. Pastors do too. We also all have expectations. Some of those are contained in our job descriptions, but I venture to say that MOST of the things we are expected to do are NOT in the job description.

I don’t know where it comes from, but I was told by a counselor who counsels Pastors that studies have shown that the average American congregation has 72 different role expectations of their Pastor! WOW! I’m getting tired just thinking about it!

That leaves a ton of stuff to figure out about what we ought to do and we ought not do. Truth is in leadership positions of any kind, it becomes imperative to figure out WHAT KIND of leader you are. You cannot do it all. Contrary to popular belief (maybe even YOUR belief), you are NOT Superman.

Thriving long-term in ministry leadership requires that you check your cape at the door and leave the “S” shirt (and blouses, ladies) in the closet at home.

That said, I grow a little concerned any time I hear someone say, “Pastors should (fill in the blank)….” or “Pastors need to (fill in the blank)….”, as though every Pastor is built in a way that would make him or her an expert in the area the person is talking about.

An example would be an article I read recently where a highly respected church leader said, “I think the role of pastors at this time in history is to be a curator of human talent. They need to learn how to cultivate, how to identify, how to nurture, how to develop and unleash the God-given potential in every person.”

At it’s core, I agree with this leader’s assessment. Part of our job description biblically is to help people develop and mature into all that God has for them. Even still, that is only partly up to us.

My concern is that while every Pastor is called to shepherd people to places of greater growth and maturity, not every Pastor is good at cultivating AND identifying AND nurturing AND developing AND unleashing.

Some are good at identifying, but not very good at nurturing. Some are good at cultivating, but not very good at unleashing. Add to the mix that we ALL do well to commit to a posture of life-long learning. Even still, we cannot be good at everything that is expected of us. We are humans, and built into us are limitations.

Friends, co-workers, part of finding your personal pace is to accept the fact that you are just a human, and therefore limited. Demands all around us and the expectations, whether imposed by others or self-imposed, tempt us to be and do and perform and live up to some things that even Jesus doesn’t expect of us.

First and foremost, we must be followers of His, whatever that may mean. You see, while we all love the same Savior, He has created each of us very differently from one another. You will find no ministry or vocation that has two of the exact same people in them, because we’re all as unique as our fingerprints. Better said, we are all unique because of His fingerprints upon us.

In finding your personal pace, release yourself from the comparisons, the “should’s” and the “ought-to’s”. Find who Jesus is making YOU to be in the context of the role and mantle He has given you, and receive that as part of your personal pace.

What is one thing you are doing right now in your role ONLY because it is expected and NOT because it is part of who God made you to be?

Posted by Paul | Filed Under Church life, Emotional health, Expectations, Leadership, Life, Pace of life, Pastor, Personal Pace, Things that give life 

Comments

5 Responses to “Your Personal Pace, Part 5”

  1. Jan Owen on September 4th, 2008 4:44 am

    1) We couldn’t do the listed pastor’s role - identifying, nurturing, etc. with everyone anyway! There is SOME personal responsibility for growth, it’s not all up to the pastor.

    2) We are not God. Even Jesus was limited while on earth. We cannot do it all. Having the humility to admit we are not gifted or able to do everything is spiritually significant.

    3) As to your question, I don’t know. In the past few years I’ve released alot of that. I would almost say there are things I DON’T do because of expectations. I don’t live into my actual gifting as much as I’d like due to the limiting expectations of others. This is changing.

    One thing I think people expect is for me to be responsible for their growth, their passion, their learning, and their ability to “enter the presence of God” (a term I am coming to loathe). I cannot handle that burden. I can give opportunity and teach and shepherd, but I cannot in the end make a move of God happen, nor can I make them come with worshipful hearts and attitudes. That is all very much beyond me and my scope of responsibilities. I can do my best, but I cannot change hearts or prepare hearts per se.

    So there, I did think of something!

  2. Kevin M. on September 4th, 2008 10:00 am

    Good question Paul! As Jan said, I too I have began to release all those unwritten expectations. I know that I have a LONG way to go but as I look back over the past year I can see SOME improvement. Probably the biggest area that I do as a pastor because it is EXPECTED is counselling. This is NOT my gifting but there are very few options for people where I live.

  3. Paul on September 4th, 2008 10:56 am

    Jan & Kevin …. GREAT thoughts. You both bring a point that I think needs highlighting. Unrealistic expectations CAN be released. As we expect people to release us from them in their own growth and maturity and to take responsibility for their own growth, we also take the responsibility of not allowing ourselves to be led by what other people think.

    I also hear you both saying that it’s not reasonable for us to think we can release absolutely every unrealistic expectation. We’re not gonna get this thing perfect!

    Thanks to you both!

  4. Do You Need A Nap? : Pastor For Life | Healthy Life and Ministry for Pastors on September 9th, 2008 11:55 pm

    [...] in a while, if not almost every day. In reality, this post should probably stand on its own in the “Your Personal Pace” series. The topic is sleep, and you may think it a luxury. It may be a [...]

  5. LouieD on September 29th, 2008 11:31 am

    The need, understanding, & living out of personal pace is a message that really resonates with me, as does the importance of understanding WHO I am; HOW I’m put together; WHAT my values & priorities are; & the need to release the weight (& disappointment) of other people expectations of me, my role, etc. And to be able to hear from ‘well-meaning helpers” how we’re “not doing it right…”

Got something to say?





Help When You Hurt

Who ministers to the Minister when you're hurting? Many do, and they can be found on this listing. Please find a friend in your area and seek the help you need today.
Continue reading »

A Place For You

Many Pastors are not aware that all over the country are a number of places you can retreat to for a number of given reasons or purposes. Find some of them here, get there, and find your pace!
Continue reading »

Latest Blog Posts