Mastering Forgiveness

January 11, 2012

One of the things that I find to be absolutely astounding in full-time ministry is how many stupid comments people say to the pastor. One woman today told me I had a “cushy” job.

Another person said I was only in it for the money and easy hours. One guy asked me “Do you have a work ethic to work more than one day a week?” The most recent one was “Where else could you work where you only have to wear a tie on Sundays?”

These are stupid comments from the last week that people make thinking they are funny or “chit chat” but the reality is they are demeaning to me and the position of pastor. Quite frankly these statements are painful. Yes, they are innocent statements made by people who don’t know any better. But that doesn’t make them less painful.

If you have been in ministry for any length of time you have probably heard similar statements or worse (I’ve heard much worse).

I would suggest that as pastors it is not about studying forgiveness, instead it is about mastering forgiveness.

Pastors must be masters at forgiving people. If we are not then we cannot expect people to forgive others. We become bitter and hold back our best from people who are just as broken as we are.

So to the one who misses the point of my sermon, I forgive you. To the one who drags the committee meetings on 2 hours longer than it should be, I forgive you. To the one who says I need to practice more, I forgive you. To the ones who say those unassuming, stupid, ridiculous, hurtful comments, I forgive you.

Please forgive me for all those times I am not forgiving. May I be a better model of forgiveness and love to you.

Leaders, who do you need to forgive so that you may let go of the hurt you have been holding for so long?