“Don’t put your
pastor on a pedestal.”
“Worship God, not
the preacher.”
“Remember, he’s just
a man, just like you.”
We repeat the above
clichés to remind people that clergy have limits, to warn admirers not to GIVE too
much to the preacher. That’s a danger,
a real possibility that I’m sure happens in some congregations.
But most of the
preachers in my circle of friends do not have to worry about their
congregations forgetting their limits and GIVING too much. Most of us have to worry about people
forgetting our limits and EXPECTING TOO MUCH.
Acts chapter 2
records the great Day of Pentecost, when the disciples of Jesus, led by Peter
and the rest of the Twelve Apostles (clergy) had launched a Holy Spirit
empowered revival in Jerusalem. Peter
had preached a powerful, multi-lingual (Acts 2: 5-14+) sermon that brought
3,000 new members into the New Testament church (Acts 2: 41). The new church then launched a campaign of
giving that brought in huge donations to support new community ministries to
the poor (Acts 2: 44, 45).
So it’s no wonder
that in the very next chapter, a brother on disability stopped by the church to
ask Bishop Peter and Apostle John to give him “a little something just to help me
out for a little while.”
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of
prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his
mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which
is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who,
seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. (Acts 3:
1-3)
Everyone in
Jerusalem had heard about the phenomenal growth of their church. When you have great worship, and great
fellowship, and new people joining every day then word gets around.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of
heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the
Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2: 46, 47)
So here was this disabled
brother already waiting in Peter’s and John’s office when they arrived to
prepare for worship----- and he assumed, he EXPECTED these two preachers to
have some money.
Cause: “If your
church is growing then you must be getting PAID.”
Cause: “Preachers
make all the money.”
Cause: “If ya’ll can
help all those folks, you must have some money to help me.”
Cause: “You’re the
pastor, ain’t you? Then you decide what
they do with the money.”
But wait. Remember where we started.
Pastor is just a man
(or woman) ----- like you. A human with utilities,
a lease, bills, debts, and a credit score that may be way lower than you
suspect.
An anointed man or
woman of God draws from a bottomless well of Holy Spirit power, but not from a bottomless,
self-refilling bank account.
Most preachers
receive a salary, that is not keyed in proportion to the wealth of the church.
And, a deeply
ministry minded church may give away quite nearly as much as it takes in.
Plus there’s the
fact that most churches have their own institutional utilities, lease, bills,
debts, and (yes) credit score.
And though far too
many preachers are stingy and selfish. A
negative response to your request does not necessarily mean that the preacher
is being stingy or selfish.
Sometimes it just
means that the preacher is BROKE.
And fixing his eyes
on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his
attention, expecting to receive something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have...” Acts 3: 3-6)
Peter said, “Sorry,
bro. I ain’t got it.”
Because he didn’t.
No preacher should
be treated like he/she is entitled to everything from you.
And no preacher
should be treated like you’re entitled to everything from him/ her.
Sometimes a preacher
doesn’t give material help because the preacher just CAN’T.
But.
But the truly
anointed men/ women of God should not be judged solely on their capacity to
provide immediate material assistance.
The truly Holy
Spirit called preacher operates in a realm of spiritual power and authority
that can reach deeper than your overdue power bill and get to the root reason
why you keep getting behind on your bills.
Truly called clergy are
not gods, but we do work for God. And
our Boss has authorized us to effect
change in a willing heart---- change that won’t necessarily have a job waiting
for you in the morning but can open the door for deliverance from the
addictions, anger, and foolish decision making that got you fired from the last
3 jobs.
But, of course, that’s
not what you expected when you stopped by to ask for help.
Then Peter said,
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand
and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received
strength. (Acts 3: 6, 7)
When God calls a man
or woman to be a shepherd of God’s people, the Lord already knows both the
limits of the shepherd and the needs of the flock.
God knew that Peter
and John would be broke on that Sabbath afternoon even though their church was
experiencing exponential growth. But
God also knew that what the disabled beggar needed most wasn’t a donation. He
most needed deliverance.
The man stood on his
own legs for the first time in his life.
He walked. He leapt. He launched into a freestyle praise dance. He became a living testimony of God power,
God’s grace, God’s provision.
But he was still
broke.
The answer may be, “Sorry,
bro. I ain’t got it,” but that should
only be the beginning of the answer. And
if it isn’t, keep asking.
Ask, “Well, what did
Jesus give you to give me today?”
Receive that. It might be even better than what you asked
for.
---Anderson T. Graves
II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry,
and rural leadership development.
Rev.
Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church (5220 Myron Massey
Boulevard) in Fairfield, Alabama; executive director of the Substance
Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO); and director of rural leadership
development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
Support
by check or money order may be mailed to
Miles
Chapel CME Church
P O
Box 132
Fairfield,
Al 35064
