Newsflash. Pastor discovers he’s just another screw up like everyone else.

I’d like to see that in the news because, hey pastor, you aren’t a big deal. You’re not Jesus. Take all the Greek and Hebrew classes you want. Quote Bonhoeffer. Get more degrees than a thermometer. You’re still just another human being.

Some pastors wear big hats and fancy robes. Some were born in polyester. And some make sure to let tell everyone how cool they are wearing their graphic tees, ripped jeans and Converse Chucks. Anytime you make what you wear a big deal, you increase and your message about Jesus decreases.

How ’bout if you drop some names like you actually hangout with the big name preachers or planters? Yeah, it makes you look good but what about Jesus? When you drop names to make yourself look like more of a big deal, Jesus drops.

Make sure to mention where you went to school often. Write a book and refer to “my book” as much as you can. Blog it up with self-promotion. Send out Tweets like everyone cares where you are eating lunch. Make sure to tell people why your church is so much better than all the others around. Whenever you make yourself more, Jesus is made less.

Here’s another newsflash, pastor. The guy in the church around the corner isn’t your competition, he’s on the same team. Pray for him, bless him, encourage him regardless of the size of his church. Stop envying his band, his facility, his budget …that’s sin. Besides, none of it is his anyway. What if you welcomed and supported the new church that just moved into town? What would our community look like if all the pastors spoke well of each other?

I’m a pastor too. I know what it’s like. I know the stress. I know the hurt we feel when people walk away.

Lord help us to be shepherds of your flock. Help us to serve. Help us to get out of the way when our egos take over. Help us leave our insecurity behind and truly trust you. Help us to be less while you become more. Forgive us for thinking so much of ourselves. Fill us with humility.

No one cares how much we know until they know how much we care. I don’t want to just talk about Jesus. I want to be like Him. I have a long way to go. You do too.

Is. 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.  NIV