Pastors are People First....

[marycomm]

In all my years of knowing and working with pastors and ministry leaders one thing I have learned is that pastors are people first and foremost.

Yes, we usually have higher expectations of them. After all, they are the shepherds appointed over God's flocks.... But we need to remember several things before we judge them too harshly!

First: Our responsibility is to PRAY for our pastors and ministerial staff! They are under the fiercest attack and scrutiny by the enemies of God. Because of their position as God's shepherds, the enemy knows that if he can take them down, ruin their reputation, or plague them with discouragement, doubt or depression that his job is done. And he works tirelessly toward that end. That's why our pastors need our prayers, and if we're not doing our part, the sin is ours to bear....

Second: When it comes to the abortion issue, many pastors know nothing about it beyond the usual rhetoric in the secular media or in the political/pro-life movement. What they need instead of criticism is education and information. If you have been wounded by an abortion (either yours or someone's close to you), share that personal experience with your pastor. Allow him the privilege of seeing the inside world of abortion from the personal standpoint. And be patient with him as the weight of the truth of this issue settles down upon him.

Third: Understand that pastors have a lot of pressure on them. And honestly, many pastors are afraid to broach the subject of abortion for fear that key members of their congregation will object or be offended. The church as a whole does not understand the "inside" personal perspective of abortion, so their fears are not completely unfounded. Again, our responsibility is to lovingly, prayerfully support our pastors, showing them the proper respect and being patient with them regarding this enormous and sensitive issue.

Fourth: Whether we like it or not, the truth is that many pastors across this country have been touched by abortion themselves. This happens in several ways. Either they are post-aborted fathers themselves, or their wives or children have experienced or abortion, or in some cases they may have even recommended abortion to individuals that have come to them with difficult circumstances (such as fetal abnormalities, risk to the health of the mother, pregnancy resulting from incest, etc.) There are also cases when someone close to them had an abortion they couldn't prevent. As with others in this situation, they may be struggling with feelings of bitterness toward those that would choose abortion. And on the other end of the spectrum, some pastors are pro-choice.

Whatever the case, many pastors have been touched by the pain and/or guilt of having been touched personally by an abortion. If that is the case, they may be reluctant to even talk with you about abortion. Our part, again, is to pray for them, love them where they are, be patient with them, and allow God to work in them.

This forum is for those who are experiencing some of those issues. It is a place for you to express your feelings and to seek out the support and encouragement of others who have experienced a pastor that is seemingly unwilling to minister to the needs of the abortion-affected.

Share your struggles with your pastors here... and let us be there for you.

With love and understanding in Christ,
Mary