{"id":8264,"date":"2013-01-23T15:59:37","date_gmt":"2013-01-23T23:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sharefaithblog.wpengine.com\/?p=8264"},"modified":"2017-10-27T12:23:50","modified_gmt":"2017-10-27T19:23:50","slug":"exposed-public-persona-vs-private","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharefaith.com\/blog\/2013\/01\/exposed-public-persona-vs-private\/","title":{"rendered":"Wow! Your Pastor Is Only Human!"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the perspective of a pew, the pastor may look alright. He acts confidently. He preaches eloquently. He shakes hands firmly. He smiles warmly. He is the ideal pastor. But is everything\u00a0really\u00a0<\/em>alright? Among many pastors today, there lurks a danger. It is a danger that rarely surfaces, but which nonetheless eats away at the inner life of the pastor. This danger is the drastic\u00a0disconnect\u00a0between his personal life and his public persona.<\/p>\n

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Toppling the Pedestal: \u00a0Pastors Are Not Infallible<\/strong><\/p>\n

Very often, pastors are viewed as the pinnacle of Christian perfection. Sure, they might slip up from time to time, but they live a put-together life. They are called a “man of faith,” or a “man of God,” bestowing upon them a status that looms far above that of ordinary people.<\/p>\n

This is, of course, an unhealthy way to view pastors \u2014 as infallible angels of light, sent from on high to bless us with an holy aura. But the real problem begins when the pastor takes this expectation upon himself, and forces a public persona to match, when his personal life is understandably different.<\/p>\n

He’s tired, but he can’t show it. He’s discouraged, but he can’t cry. He’s tempted, but he can’t confess. He’s lonely, but he can’t admit it. He’s burned out, but he’s got to keep going.<\/p>\n

Basically, he’s human, but he’s not supposed to act like it. He’s somehow above that. He’s got to continue putting on the act, going through the motions, and draining his soul dry.<\/p>\n

In his private life, he may try to numb the pain, but it’s there. In his public life, he continues to put on the Christian show.<\/p>\n

Bringing Back Authentic Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who’s to blame for this pastoral blight? The pastor? The people? Satan? God?<\/p>\n

The problem is a collective one \u2014 one in which we all share the blame. Thankfully, however, the problem has a solution. The solution is one in which we all must participate.<\/p>\n

The pastor and people must work together to help their leadership do the following:<\/p>\n