If I Were a Pastor
I am not currently a pastor. What would I try to do now, as opposed to some years ago, if I were a pastor? The following is a no-order, “off top of the head” list:
• I would pray more. Perfunctory and public prayer are not enough to sustain spiritual life in anyone. I would attempt to talk to God about everything that concerns me and would have a particular place to pray privately and devotionally daily. I would publicly bend my knees in worship and invite others to join me.
• I would read Scripture devotionally more. One of my joys the past few years has been reading the Bible for me and not for “them.” Since I don’t “have to get sermons ready” for this week, I can listen to the Word on a personal level rather than thinking about “them” and what I might say to “them” from the pulpit.
• I would ponder more. To ponder means to reflect and chew on something. Understanding does not always come immediately or because of intellect. When I ponder things, I try to turn the matter over to the Spirit for wisdom in its comprehension.
• I would listen more. Job’s buddies had much to say about many things but were miserable comforters. It’s a good practice to put the hand over the mouth in the presence of intense pain, conflict and turmoil. I would take the opportunity to be still and quiet more. The still, small voice is hard to hear when I’m talking. The great philosopher Yogi Berra is supposed to have said, “You can hear a lot by listening.”
• I would be more clear. When I fire a pistol or rifle, I try to hit exactly what I aim for. I hope I would take better aim when I’m in the pulpit on Sunday so when people leave the pews, they won’t have to wonder, “What does he want me to do as a result of his sermon?”
• I would dream more. “You can’t do that” and “We’ve never done it that way before” are variations of the same old thing. God speaks to people and moves and works in the lives of people. He will tell us how to do His work. I would hope to be surprised by the moving of God.
• I would ask more. I would ask people to do specific things. I did not do that as a younger pastor. I often “generally” asked for something to be done and, generally, it did not get done. Now, I would ask more specific people to do specific acts, like Jesus did. I believe people want to help and are waiting to be asked.
• I would try to be friendly more. I forget at times how lonely some people are. It costs me very little to smile and have a pleasant talk. I think I would try to have more friends. I would try to broaden my narrow range and have more and different kinds of friends.
• I would give more compliments. I would praise people for their good work. A good principle of leadership is to publicly praise your people for the good they do. I do not believe I can overuse “thank you.”
• I would try to be me more. It pleased God to redeem me, but He is not quite through making me in His image. Many times in the past, I have not been willing to drop some masks. If I were a pastor today, I would try to be more real to my people.
Although these are some of the things I would try to do if the Lord placed me in the pastorate again, I’m not going to wait until then. I am going to try to do these things right now. Lord, help me be what You want me to be where I am.
Executive Editor’s Note: This article was first published in the April 3, 1996 issue.
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Dr. Tony Cleaver
Dr. Tony Cleaver pens a column titled, Leave It To Cleaver, in which he talks about a wide variety of topics relevant to the modern church and BMA Baptists.
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