I Won’t Do That – That’s the Pastor’s Job

The other day I noticed some folks I know playing a game they called Pastor’s Job. In a nutshell, they were coming up with things people expect of the pastor that they themselves wouldn’t do.

I would bring in the homeless but that's #pastorsjob

— Church Husher (@churchhusher) May 31, 2014

Tithing?! Isn't that the #pastorsjob ?!

— Patching Cracks (@patchingcracks) May 31, 2014

Isn't it the #pastorsjob to get new people to visit the church? Why doesn't he invite my neighbor?

— Patching Cracks (@patchingcracks) May 31, 2014

Why are we doing outreach? Isn't it the #PastorsJob to lead the world to Christ

— Darth Sarcastice (@SarcasticYouth) May 31, 2014

We don't like this couple, they are too uppity. We should tell the pastor to ask them to leave #pastorsjob

— Bad Sam (@badsamaritan13) May 31, 2014

I can't visit you in the hospital, that's #pastorsjob

— Marusha (@Marusha76) May 31, 2014

I'm not qualified to speak about Jesus that's #pastorsjob

— Church Husher (@churchhusher) May 31, 2014

While these people were trying to be funny and witty, there is truth in what they were saying. Many times we seem to place the major responsibility of ministry on the pastor. The truth is that we’re all called to be ministers. Peter writes:

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

We have a calling to be a part of the priesthood of believers, that we may proclaim the praises of God!

While the pastor may be the lead shepherd of a local church, each and every member has a part to play in ministry.

Sometimes we stop and say, “Well…I can’t do anything.” You’d be surprised. It takes a lot for ministry to function. There is always something for you to do. And if you have a gift, a talent, or a calling that is not yet part of your church’s ministry, maybe God is telling you that it’s time to start one. Yes, you!

There should be no benchwarmers in the Church. We are all called to play a part.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12)

Time to get in the game!