I love pastors.
I respect pastors.
No, they aren't perfect. Indeed, they often have many struggles and challenges. As I reviewed the thousands of comments I have heard from pastors, I began to see a pattern of silent expressions. Stated simply, there are many things pastors would like to say, but they don't feel like they have the freedom to do so.
I compiled ten of the more common unspoken comments pastors wish they could express. They are in no particular order, and I have chosen not to offer further commentary to them.
1. "I am struggling with depression."
2. "Don't criticize me right before or after I preach."
3. "I worry about my family in the church fishbowl."
4. "I wish the "healthy' church members in our church would stand up to the bullies and critics."
5. "Pray for me; I need it."
6. "I don't know if we can pay our personal bills."
7. "I am so tired of attending mundane meetings."
8. "Don't ask me to do something right before I preach."
9. "I can't keep up with all the changes in culture and churches."
10. "It hurts me deeply when we lose a church member."
I know there are many more sentences of similar sentiments. What do you think of these ten? What would you add?
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on April 19, 2017. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and nine grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
