Does Your Pastor Tell The Truth?

Duane Quesenberry

It’s amazing!

We pay our doctor to…well…insult us. 

Think about it. 

The first thing to happen when you visit is—the doctor’s accomplice (a.k.a. the office nurse) gathers evidence against you at the “weigh in.” 

She then writes it down and passes on the incriminating information to the person in the longest white coat. 

Meanwhile, you are led to a small room and instructed to remove your clothes as, “The doctor will be in shortly.” And soon, a polite knock, followed by an uninvited entry of the doctor, who says “Good morning”—without even looking at you, because he is looking for “the number” followed by the # sign, which will be confirmed as “…being up, since you were last in.”

You’ve been there, done that, right? 

After a few more insults followed by polite scoldings and dire predictions, he tells you, “You may dress, and be sure to stop by the office to pay your bill.”

What? 

“Pay your bill!?” 

Are you kidding? 

I have to pay for this abuse?

But we do. 

We even schedule a follow-up appointment for more abuse.

Again, we will make the appointment, step on the scales, listen to his assessment, and pay money we don’t have, to hear statements we would rather not hear because we know the doctor cares. He has our best interest at heart. Our health and wellness are his business. 

And although, publicly we vent about how much we dislike it, secretly, we know we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We want a doctor who calls it like he sees it, sparing no details. Right?

As I open up the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, I read: “For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 2:4-5, 3:17)

Do you see it? A good pastor is much like a good doctor.

Here are four things your pastor should be doing, and if he is, pay him… a “thank you.”

A faithful pastor should be…

1) Asking you personal and probing questions.

2) Saying things to you that are embarrassing and uncomfortable to hear.

3) Prescribing treatment that is both costly and hard to take.

4) Staying attentive in your life by scheduling follow-up appointments.

Why?

Because, he has your best interest at heart. Your spiritual health and wellness are his business. 

And although, publicly we vent about how much we dislike it, secretly, we know we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We want a pastor who calls it like he sees it, sparing no details. 

Right?

If you are blessed to have such a pastor, tell him this week how much you appreciate him.