We all know, as Pastors, a common response that we receive, if we are actively involved in sharing the Gospel on a personal level, (caution: never become so different or blessed in your ministry that “invitations” are the only interaction you have with a persons decision to follow Christ) is “the church is hypocritical”.

Those responses are often greatly varied but they generally always lead to the idea that as “church people” (and I am writing specifically to Pastors) we are perceived to be better than they are and are without sin and therefore find favor with God. That is absolutely not the case!

I can hear some Pastors right now, “well I don’t sin”. I say to you “he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith”. There are many books available right now that deal with this issue of how we are perceived by the secular world and it ain’t good. They hit the mark, but the question is, Are you, as a Leader and Pastor, the origin of this perception?

It is with all love and compassion that I pen this note and it is my prayer that some Pastors and Leaders will read it with an open heart. It’s intent is not to bash, but to speak Truth into your life and give pause to your locomotive journey in Christ Jesus our Lord, and reflect introspectively about how you are being perceived and why?

Pastors are SINNERS!

1 John 1:8-10 is a very familiar passage to any Pastor who has spent time sharing the Gospel on a personal level with folks. We have memorized 1 John 1:9 and quoted many times, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” That verse is so familiar! Only because we have shared it with others. But have you spent time applying 1 John 1:8 and 1 John 1:10 in your ministry?

The fact of the matter is this…

• We are SINNERS and in all humility are to recognize that! If we claim to be without sin, “the truth is not in us”
• By making this claim, “we make him out to be a liar” and “his word has no place in our lives”
• What if you honestly don’t make this claim? That’s Great! But you may still be making Jesus out to be a liar…by the way you are perceived.
• How are you percieved? You say, “i can’t control that”. YES YOU CAN!

Pastors, we can’t afford to be perceived as sinless! Be real with everyone! Be yourself! Be the person you are talking to! You are not always right, you make mistakes, you are nothing more than a worthless sinner…saved! by grace! thru Faith! in Jesus Christ! Lives are at stake! Self-Righteousness has no place whether intended or portrayed.

Is Jesus a liar? Not for me He isn’t…I am a sinner! Romans 7:7-25