Micah J. Sturm

A colleague and friend stood with me recently and shared interesting moments from ministry experiences. I told him that a chapter in my forthcoming memoirs was to be entitled, “You Won’t Believe This!” and would recount some of the craziness I’ve seen and heard as a pastor. We laughed together and swapped a few stories.

Ministry is sometimes like the old “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” series—you know, the stuff “which deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that people might question the claims.”

I think we should start a “Clergy’s Believe It or Not!” Let me get it going here:

BELIEVE IT OR NOT…

(1) Pastors are human. We have families too.

(2) Everything is not urgent…reserving a date on the church calendar can be done after 4:45AM or before 10PM.

(3) Pastors often have “inside information.” More is going on than may be obvious…never assume to know all the details behind a decision.

(4) The only perfect shepherd, preacher, and leader was Christ—so be patient with pastors who cannot possibly meet all these needs for everyone at all times.

(5) Your pastor may not need to be fixed…he may need to be followed.

(6) Pastors under the age of 40 are gifts to the church to be invested in and encouraged.

(7) Pastors over the age of 40 are gifts to the church to be respected and encouraged.

(8) Pastors need more prayer.

(9) Pastors are not “hired”—they are “called.” There’s a huge difference.

(10) Your pastor really wants you to live for Christ and make it to Heaven.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT!