Why You Need Your Pastor's Warnings In Your Life

I almost had a heart attack at a major league baseball game yesterday. My family and I sat on the second row of one of the high upper decks of the stadium. There was a family of five sitting on the front row directly in front of us with only a short rail in front of them to prevent a fall. About half way through the game, their youngest child, a toddler, stood up and began to play on the rail, at times trying to lean over it. I was getting extremely nervous because the rail was only chest high to the little boy and I could tell the parents were oblivious as they watched the game. Things finally escalated when the child threw his leg up on the rail to climb over. I glanced over to see the toddler’s mom not reaching for him, but taking a photo. The toddler then leaned his body forward to go over. I instinctively jumped up, reaching and calling out. The parents immediately grabbed him in time to the relief of our entire family.

We weren’t the only ones who saw what happened. Security apparently had observed what happened and came down to talk to the parents. You could tell the parents weren’t happy with the warning. They wanted to be left alone, but that’s exactly why security was there, to watch out for everyone’s safety.

Pastors have a similar role, in that we at times have to lean in to correct and warn when we see a member of our flock going in the wrong direction, headed over the rail of life themselves. Recently, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend where many are unable to hear a pastor admonish them or the church. Rather than seeing this for their good, it’s viewed as judgement and condemnation.

But, here’s the truth: most pastors I know genuinely love their people and aren't on a power trip. We don't warn and correct to have something to do. In fact, from a pastor’s perspective, those are the most difficult words to bring. Yet, we bring them because we care. If you want your pastor to love you, part of them loving you means looking out for you!

Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Friend, your pastor loves you. They’re not wanting to make you feel guilty, they simply want you safe and growing in community. We as pastors love our people! Rather than choosing to become defensive, filter these hard truths in love.