Dear Pastor,
I love you. I want nothing more than for you to be all who God wants you to be. So this might hurt a little.
I’m writing you this letter because I have noticed a few things that we have fallen into saying or doing that don’t represent Christ well.
With all due respect, please stop:
1. Stop pretending you are perfect.
Jesus is perfect. You aren’t. Let us see your humanity.
Share your mistakes with us. It gives us hope to know that even the pastor doesn’t always get it right. It also gives us the courage to be honest about our faults too.
2. Stop emotionally and spiritually abusing your staff.
Although some elements of the church are like a business, church staff should not be treated just like employees. They are family. They aren’t perfect, but you need to love them anyway.
When you hurt them, you hurt God’s family. I know far too many pastors who need therapy after the wounds of working for a bad boss.
3. Stop hiding your secret addiction.
When we find out (not if, but when), it will ruin your ministry, devastate your family and place another black mark on the church.
Don’t be another example that people point to when they call Christians a bunch of hypocrites. Get help now.
4. Stop skipping your time with God.
Lack of time with God is the quickest way for you to dry up spiritually. Your responsibility as a pastor is first and foremost to have a strong personal relationship with God.
Prayer and Bible reading are not a waste of time. It’s the most productive thing you will do all day.
5. Stop talking about your “smoking hot wife.”
It’s great that you love your wife. But talk about how beautiful she is on the inside too. Praise her godly character.
I don’t want my daughter growing up hearing you imply that attractiveness is all that matters in a woman. She gets too much of that from the rest of the world already.
6. Stop thinking you are the reason for your church’s success.
Check your ego. Good pastors rightfully give God the glory for the fruit of ministry. It’s all because of Him.
You are just a tool in God’s mighty hand.
