Prideful pastors
". . . All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
Far beyond any rival, it was the most glaring example of pastoral pride I had ever seen. A pastor invited me to attend a special service to celebrate his ministry anniversary. He invited a long list of community and denominational leaders. Even the mayor and his entourage showed up. Each was asked beforehand to prepare a plaque to present, or to give a speech commending the pastor for being an outstanding spiritual and community leader. The pastor and his wife, sat up front on the platform in elaborate, oversized armchairs that resembled thrones. From start to finish, the program was prearranged to be an unending tribute of praise to this pastor. After nearly three hours, I slipped out of my seat and left the service, disturbed by what had just happened in that "worship service."
Although this was an extreme example, in subtler forms, pride lurks in the hearts of many of us in ministry. I confess that I often look back and wince with regret over so many of my own self-centered and pretentious motives and comments in ministry. Disappointed with myself, I wish I could go back and relive those times but I can't. These days, as I press onward, I constantly ask God to help me serve with deep and genuine humility.
Fellow pastors, I encourage you to do the same. Before you stand to preach, clothe yourself with humility. While you stand preaching, clothe yourself with humility. After you've preached, clothe yourself with humility! Because, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble!
I recently read about a pastor who greeted church members as they filed out of the building at the conclusion of the Sunday service. One young man shook the pastor's hand, and said something that really encouraged him: "Pastor, you must be smarter than Einstein." Beaming with pride, the pastor said, "Why, thank you, brother!" Delighted to receive such an extraordinary compliment, the pastor couldn't stop thinking about those words all week long. The following Sunday he asked that young man, "Tell me please, why did you say that I must be smarter than Einstein?" The young man explained, "Well, Pastor, they say that Einstein was so smart that only ten people in the entire world could understand him. But Pastor, when you preach, no one can understand you!"
Dear pastors, we are not smarter than Einstein! We are just plain, ordinary people: people chosen, called, gifted, and empowered by God to serve in love and humility.
Sam Taylor serves as the Boston area regional coordinator at the Baptist Convention of New England.
