It is very difficult being a clergyman. You are either loved or spoken against. If you are loved, you are in danger of believing you are special and therefore have a right to special treatment.
When being maligned it is usually because the clergy are described as arrogant or superior. I must say, as one who spends lots of time with clergy I don't usually find this to be case.
Almost all the clergy I know live to honour Christ and serve His people.
However, there are times when the crime of arrogance is levelled against ministers. Often what is spoken of as ‘arrogance’ is not. It is merely calling us to respond in obedience to the Scripture. But sometimes it is real.
Though never acceptable, there are reasons why some clergy are arrogant.
Perhaps they excelled in their careers before beginning theological study, and so come with a sense of entitlement. They then begin on theological training because many congregation members tell them how good they are at ministry. They are treated by their churches as heroes. Once they begin formal ministry their whole self image is tied up in what they do: how well they preach, their ability as pastors, administrators and evangelists, not to mention the constant examination of their lives. This often leads to the need to protect themselves, and this comes across as superiority.
Then we have the problem of models. Our Sydney history has been that of ‘one man ministry’, and so new ministers hold all jobs close to themselves.
At Moore College we are trying to help our students to see these pressures and respond correctly to them - to see the great honour and reality of being a slave of Christ and a servant of others. Peers help their friends not to be arrogant and bullies. But still with our human frailties we fail.
My plea is that we all help our clergy.
We need to keep them in our prayers against the attacks of the evil one and being seduced by the circumstances around them. Remember that Hebrews 13 verse 7 urges: "remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life", and verse 17 is even stronger "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you".
Clergy are often intimidated by capable congregation members.
We need to offer help in the many tasks they undertake, but we must do it in a way that does not intimidate them, or threaten their self-image. Sometimes this will be well received, and sometimes not, but our goal must be to not make their lives a burden. In doing so, this will be advantageous to them and the congregation.
