I will never forget coming home from work and complaining to my wife about our pastor. Fresh out of seminary, I was convinced I knew everything and believed I could do a better job than him. I frequently disagreed with his decisions, viewing his leadership through a lens of self-importance.
I would often ask my wife, "Why isn’t he giving me more opportunities? Is he threatened by me? Does he not see my potential?" Looking back, I was blinded by pride and arrogance. By criticizing the leader I was supposed to be serving, I failed to lead my wife well and ignored the essential lessons learned from leadership mistakes.
Unfortunately, my attitude worsened. I began having "hallway conversations" with colleagues and lunch meetings with church members to express my dissatisfaction. I failed to realize that my refusal to be led was poisoning the staff culture and harming the congregation. It was a definitive example of a lack of humility and accountability in ministry.
Looking back, I realize how arrogant and foolish I was. I had no clue what it meant to sit in his seat. The most prideful people I have ever met typically have a hard time noticing their pride; that was me. Please do not be this staff member.
Here are three important roles of a great staffer or church leader:
1. Be All-In.
Ask yourself: Are you truly all-in? Do you believe in your pastor? Do you trust where he is leading you? Do you speak highly of your pastor? Do you encourage him? Do you fight battles for him and with him? If the answer is no, then you may not be all-in. You can disagree with your pastor but are you still for him? There is a difference.
Your pastor needs to be surrounded by godly leaders who have his back. Your pastor deeply desires for you to be all-in. He wants to know that you believe in him. There is a big spiritual war to be fought and he needs every godly soldier in the church standing ready to fight the battle with him. Are you ready?
2. Be Grace-Filled.
Your pastor is not Jesus. He is fully human, just like you. God did not call your pastor to be the savior of your church. He called your pastor to pastor your church. Your pastor cannot be all things to all people. He is going to mess up. He is going to have flaws.
Most likely your pastor has been deeply wounded and has a hard time trusting people. Can he trust you? Have you given your pastor a reason to be guarded with you? If so, repent and go make it right. Your pastor carries significant weight and burdens of the church; he needs you to be gracious toward him. Remember you do not have a perfect pastor. Your pastor needs God’s grace daily. Are you the first one to offer grace when your pastor needs it?
3. Be Humble.
It breaks my heart to see how many ministers and leaders struggle with pride, entitlement and arrogance. There is no place in the ministry for entitled or prideful ministers and leaders. God has given each of you the gifts that you have, you didn’t give them to yourself. You did not earn them. He has given each gift for you to use for his glory, not your own.
Often ministers and leaders lose their humility when they lose touch with reality. I like to always say, “Humility is a byproduct of intimacy with Christ.” When ministers and leaders lose their intimacy with him the byproduct is pride. The most important thing you can do for your pastor and church is to keep your walk with Christ intimate. Your pastor’s biggest desire for you is that you are seeking the Lord above anything else.
Several years after being a horrible staff member I called to repent and ask this pastor for forgiveness. I didn’t have a clue how much pain he had to endure because of sin. If you are a church leader or on staff and are not for your pastor, not full of grace, and you do not display humility, it might be time for you to repent. God wants to be honored in all things. Are you honorable to your pastor and church? Most importantly are you honoring him?
This article originally appeared on LifeWayVoices.com and is reposted here by permission.