Appreciate Your Lead Pastor's Pain
For this pastor appreciation month, allow me to help you understand and appreciate a unique challenge faced by Lead Pastors.
I was a Lead Pastor for ten years. I saw God do many incredible things among the people I pastored, while also enduring some of the most head-scratching, baffling, and painful experiences in my life. And much of these painful moments are unique to Lead Pastors—or whoever it is people mean when they say, "My pastor." So, allow to me address the other pastors in the room.
Lead Pastors Lead in Being Mistreated
While you elders/pastors have plurality with each other, you don’t with the church. It is critical to navigate this complexity. Here’s what I mean: Whoever is upfront and out front the most will catch the most flack, harsh criticism, unnecessary complaints, and cruel expectations. It is vital for elder teams to thread this needle.
Lead Pastors get emails from members who are angry they didn’t attend a high school graduation par…
