Wanted: Preacher-Man

I am blessed to have attended Gospel preaching churches over my 67+ years. By my count, this included 7 churches served by 12 pastors.

For the first 25ish years of my life in my hometown church in Cable, Wisconsin, I counted 5 pastors over this period. For the next seven years, my wife & I attended her home church in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN, and during this time, we had 2 pastors. For the following 35ish years, my wife and I attended 5 different churches served by 5 pastors. Most church changes had to do with our change of address for various reasons. No church ran us out of town, as far as I recall.

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​Now, being a lifelong churchgoer, these 12 different pastors had their individual strengths and weaknesses, but the one thing they all had in common was A CALLING FROM GOD to serve God and His people.  

But in contrast, if I can turn on the TV, browse the web, and/or social media, I have the clear impression not all preachers have A CALLING FROM GOD.  Instead, they appear to be pastors who answered a job ad like the fictitious one below, thinking, "Yup, I could do that."

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POSITION: Preacher Man

JOB DESCRIPTION: Must be able to tell jokes and amuse antidotes while sprinkling in a few scriptures over 30-minute sermons. A good candidate must demonstrate the ability to entertain and encourage while avoiding the problem of sin or the fact that we all need a savior. Candidate must exude the 'Jesus loves you just the way you are' and 'Jesus gets us' vibe. Avoid any talk about sin, repentance, guilt, or Hell. You know, the ICKY STUFF. We seek the right individual to complement our lively worship music with self-improvement sermonettes.
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INCOME: You can expect to be compensated in a way that allows you to live a much better lifestyle than most congregants in our church.​

IF INTERESTED: Forward your resume to us here at Make Me Happy Church.

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Maybe too many are responding to the above imaginary job ad saying, "Where can I sign up" and wondering if they only have to work Sundays.

First, I write this to recognize and honor those who take on the challenge to lead God's people. May God bless each of you as you accept your calling.

May being a pastor be a calling where God speaks through each of you even when the words from God are difficult to say and hear.  I pray for your boldness and a loving spirit but also more concerned about speaking TRUTH in love than it is even to be... LIKED.

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May God bless and use you all, and never answer a PREACHER WANTED posting like the one above, lest you become a preacher with a millstone around your neck.

Blessings

​Jeff

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