I want my pastor to...

During the 7 years I spent working full time in church I often came up against the expectations various people in the congregation had for what my role should be. In the beginning I spent far too much time and energy trying to figure out what was expected by everyone. I actually become much more effective when I stopped trying so hard to be a "good pastor" and tried to focus on being myself...

This week's Breakfast With Fred piece gives the late Fred Smith's perspective on what a pastor should be:

“I was asked to address the topic, “A Layman Looks at the Pastor.” I changed one word: Looking TO, not looking AT. Here are my personal views:.

1. I want my pastor to commit himself to building community. We live in a fractured world. Our cities are not friendly. Our workplaces are often combative. Sadly, even our homes are dysfunctional. As a group of believers, we need the fellowship of believers where people feel accepted and blessed.

2. I want my pastor to encourage the “priesthood of the believers.” He is not my agent negotiating a better deal with God than I can make. I want him to remind me that he isn’t a professional Christian with greater access. I want him to join with me in prayer --- not do the praying for me.

3. I want my pastor to teach me how to think about God, not just know what he thinks about God. My pastor is to awaken the teacher within me. He is to help me and guide me, but the responsibility for my spiritual health is mine.

4. I want my pastor to maintain his own spiritual vitality. I want his teaching to come from the artesian well of his walk, not the dead sea of old sermons and seminary classes.

5. I want my pastor to be my spiritual dietician, helping me to develop a spiritual regimen that is uniquely based on my gifts and opportunities. I am grateful for those who invested in my spiritual growth.

6. I want to be a regular person around him --- and I want him to be natural with me, as well. Maintaining images can alienate us from each other.

7. I want my pastor to know truth, not just the facts of the Bible. Just as information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom, so facts and word studies do not comprise the truth of the revelation.

8. I want my pastor to personify humility. I don’t want him to act humble – I want him to be humble. Our son, Fred, Jr., once gave me a great definition of humility: “Accepting your strength with gratitude.”

This week think carefully about: 1) What do I want my pastor to be? 2) How am I partnering with my pastor for encouragement? 3) What does it mean to be real with my pastor?