In my past blog I was talking about a sweet little lady named Dena and how she didn’t feel comfortable enough to talk to Pastor Ellis Keck. This was around 15 yrs ago. We had many conversations that were based on the End Times. I suggested talking to Pastor went to Pastor Ellis and Dena didn’t want that all.

If you haven’t read that one yet, it was about how Dena and I would have many discussions about the Trinity and other faith-based questions. This post is about is it OK to talk to your pastor or church leader? I want to let those that I go to church with that this is NOT about Pastor Ray and it isn’t about those that goes to my church. I don’t want people from church reading too much into this blog post and making it something that it isn’t.

When I told Dena that we could go talk to Pastor Keck, she was pretty adamant about my question lol. She said without batting an eye “NO”. How could I argue with that answer. I did venture into that territory and she told me that she didn’t want to sound stupid. Okay, I can get that.  Because of this question is what got me thinking about what prevents people from going to their pastor or church leader.

As I was talking to Dena about there were two specific things I thought about and those would be questioning Your Pastor and ministering to your pastor. This first thing I want to cover is asking your pastor questions.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11-12)

Is it OK to Question My Pastor?

•  Misunderstandings: I don’t know about you, but there are times I need to have my pastor clarify something in his sermon. He would say something with a not so every day word and I had no clue what he was asking about. There is nothing wrong with talking to the pastor in order to understand things  better. It’s better to ask your pastor what he meant instead of second guessing him.
• Meetings: I can’t stand church meetings. I stopped going to them a long time. There was a time that they would dragged them on and it would take them all afternoon. Last week my church did the quarterly meeting. My own person thought on these are that they already know if something will pass. By the end of the meetings, I was done. If they need my vote, I will vote by proxies, but the rest I want no part of. For me it is like a gaggle of people trying to speak and nobody is listening. I know church business needs to be done, but it seems as if they have a hard time sticking to the matter at home.
• Listen and Pay Attention: I don’t know about anyone else’s pastor/pastors, but ours went to seminary and have graduated. If you have a problem that you need to discuss I know my pastor would listen if you give him a chance. There has been some people who have been attached to the hip of a previous pastor. If you have a problem then go to him since it is better to hear it from the horse’s mouth instead of hearing it second-hand.
• It’s OK to Question the Pastor: No pastor should ever say, “Who are you to question me?” My pastor has no problem with people coming into the office. If you disagree with something he has said or done, let him know.  If you don’t say something there is no way for him to know. I know my pastor and I would think your;s would be thankful for coming to him over whatever the problem may be. If you don’t agree with how he is interpreting the Bible, pull up your big boy or girls panties and ask.
• Speak to the Pastor: I know without a doubt that my pastor would prefer to have someone come to him directly if they have any questions, observations  Most pastors are more than happy when people come with questions, thoughts or observations even if you have prepared a fabulous speech and you are prepared to get vocal he will listen . Even when someone expresses themselves in anger there’s probably something the pastor really needs to consider.
• Gossip is destructive to a church:  When we gossip it acts James puts it this way

  James 3:6-  ^“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” The tongue can be used for good and for evil. It can tear down and destroy anything that is good.

If you are one of those people, and I am guilty of this too that likes gossip, then it needs to stop. If you hear someone gossiping and you are listening to them, then walk away and stop. If makes you just as much guilty if you are listening.If you continue to do these things, then the enemy (Satan) will be given a foothold in any church.

Romans 1:8-12. Paul is saying this to the church:First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Have you ever considered that it is our responsibility to be there for our pastor and to minister them. I’m not talking about standing in front of the church and giving a sermon. What I am talking about how it is our responsibility to pray for our pastors and to encourage them. About 4 years ago, I think it has been that long at least. But my friend that was, and let me repeat that word, she was the pastor at a Methodist church. I say the word was because she was forced out of the church because she also had a life outside of the church. She had a boyfriend and she enjoyed to what everyone else did. She enjoyed life.  It is our responsibility to be there for our pastors. The reason for this is because they are just as much of a human as anyone of us. They also carry additional burdens because of his/her calling. Have you ever really taken into consideration what pastors do? Right now, my pastor has been additional struggles because his wife is undergoing cancer treatment. I want to cover what it is that pastors do and these are things my pastor does each and every week.

• He prepares sermons each week and they don’t always come easy. It isn’t like the sermon notes get automatically delivered to him by a cute little dove that God sent. Instead of a green branch the sermon notes arrive instead. Of course you know I’m not serious. But, the messages we hear each and every Sunday are messages that Pastor Ray spent days on.  Not all messages and sermons come easily.
• When we have trials and temptations, it is natural to call up Pastor Ray and let him know what is gong on. If either myself or another person at my church has a problem or get admitted into the hospital, he is there when there is a need. Who is it that pastors goes to when they are sick or may be dying. Who is it that it there to pray with them and for them.?
• If we are feeling like we aren’t feeling like we want to go to church, what does pastors do if they aren’t feeling it. I know there has been times when my pastor has come to church sicker than a dog. Since he is the pastor there isn’t anyone there that can fill in for him in a pinch.

What Can We Do?

Did you know that there are a number of things we can do that will ease the burden our pastor,

• I can’t say this enough, but we can pray for our pastors each and every day. If you can’t remember, then write it down. Lately my pastor has been going through some tough patches in his life and his wife is also. Pastor Ray and Kathi needs prayers for their health. Pastors are coming under-fire lately. Satan has been targeting our pastor and church and they could use a ton of prayers.
• Nothing weighs heavier on a pastor’s heart than when his people don’t grow in faith, love, and righteousness.
• We can encourage and be there for them. A lot of times people forget that the pastor and his family.  Let your pastor know that you appreciate them and what they have done in the church. If your pastor is like mine, I know he would appreciate a hot meal or maybe take them out to dinner.
• I would say that one of the best ways to help your pastor is to be there for him and to be Christlike.

Philippians 2:2-3n (NIV)² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Closing Prayer to the Pastors

Heavenly Father, I come to you to ask for Pastor Ray, Kathi and all of the pastors that are in need of protection from the attacks from Satan. I come to you to give Pastor Ray, Kathi and all of the other pastors  all over the world. Satan loves to whisper in the ears and hearts of those who are listening to the sermons. Lord I come to you and plead that pastors near and far to stand firm as they continue to serve.