A few days ago someone said of me, "I found it so funny and likable that a preacher could let down his guard enough to sound human." I really appreciated that comment, I am human.
The comment also troubled me because it implied that a great many pastors appear to "outsiders" as living guarded lives, they appear aloof or distant, sometimes they appear superior or "holier than thou." They fail to allow people to get close to them, to know them as real people, as fellow sojourners in this life of discipleship.
I believe the days of the aloof, distant pastor are numbered, if not done. Today's pastor is like the captain on the soccer team, leading and encouraging the team forward, hopefully to victory, but they still breathe hard, sweat and smell like the rest of the team!
How do pastors create (intentionally or unintentionally) this image of being aloof and distant?
