Here are 10 random things to know about pastors.
- I face the temptations you face.I’m not immune from temptation. I’m human. You shouldn’t be surprised when I make mistakes. I need lots of grace. I should be held accountable, but ultimately I’m accountable to God just as much as you are.
- The larger the church gets, the less I know about things. Ask me anything. I may or may not have an answer. Sometimes, however, you save both of us time if you email the staff or volunteer leader more likely to know — but I can always forward an email.
- The better the message, the longer it takes me to prepare it. If I am going to have a decent message, I will have to take time away from other responsibilities to prepare. This could mean I’m not everywhere you hoped I would be.
- Even though I’m teaching it, I may not yet have mastered it.Hopefully I’m working on it, but I teach the whole counsel of God — the Bible — and I’m still a work in progress in many areas of it.
- I get nervous every time I start to preach, sometimes sick to my stomach.If you didn’t notice — well, glad I’m getting better at covering. But, you do me a tremendous blessing if you whisper a prayer as I step up to preach.
- Sunday is not the only day I work.Honestly! And, preaching is not all I do. I actually work six long days a week and even when I’m off or out of town, I’m often working.
- Your story probably won’t surprise me.I am never callous toward it, but I’ve probably heard similar or worse. And, I’m still going to love you.
- To my family I’m usually not a pastor, just a husband and dad.And, I like that. I even like to be “just a friend” sometimes.
- If you tell me something on Sunday morning, you probably should back it up with an email to remind me.My mind is distracted and I will forget. And, if it can wait until Monday, that’s even better.
- I can relate to you better than you think.I like to have a good time. Some would say I’m funny. I even know how to laugh. I don’t even have to be quoting Scripture to do so.
Ron Edmondson is the senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. For the original article, visit ronedmondson.com.