- Next Sunday
- Posts
- Why personal circumstances shouldn’t dictate what we preach on ⛪
Why personal circumstances shouldn’t dictate what we preach on ⛪
Don’t let shame and guilt hold you back
There has only ever been one perfect preacher in history, and his name is Jesus.
The pastor who waits until they’re perfect to step up to the pulpit is a pastor who will never preach a sermon.
A common struggle among church leaders and pastors is a feeling of shame about their personal financial situation—can they preach on good stewardship from under a mountain of debt?
This question can trip up some pastors, leading to a guilty or shame-ridden presence in the congregation.
But that is not what God expects from you. Let’s talk about why personal circumstances are not always a guide on what topics you can or cannot preach about.
Banishing the lie of the perfect pastor
Pastors are not immune to embracing self-improvement, overcoming hardships, and learning from God's word. They are not people who have “arrived” permanently and transcend all possibilities of transgressions or missteps.
One could argue that a perfect pastor is actually one who admits faults and owns their actions and decisions.
When a pastor is transparent about their struggles—specifically financial struggles—it opens the door to help others learn from their mistakes.
You wouldn’t avoid preaching about the importance of trusting in the Lord while your personal trust in God was not a perfect 10.
You wouldn’t avoid speaking on the value of loving others if you’re struggling to act in love consistently.
It follows that you shouldn’t shy from preaching about handling debt while possibly struggling with debt yourself.
Because these sermons are not only for your congregation—they’re also for you.
The double-edged sword of financial transparency
When choosing to be transparent with your struggles, you have to have the courage to face the truth that there will be judgment from a select few. There always is.
Being open helps others, but it also opens the door to people’s opinions on how you spend your time, money, and energy.
The important thing to keep in mind is that their judgments almost always reflect more on who they are than who you are, and opinions are just that—opinions. This unfortunate side effect of leading with transparency shouldn’t stop you from sharing what you’re called to share.
Action Items:
1. Be transparent, but have a plan
Speaking about your struggles with finances is only half the answer. The other side of the coin is determining a plan of improvement to overcome those financial challenges. Sit down with your board and figure out what moving forward looks like.
2. Explore the different resources available to pastors struggling with debt
From budget courses to reaching out to Dave Ramsey, there is no shortage of options for improving financial situations. Dave Ramsey even has a department meant for helping pastors manage their finances.
3. Look for opportunities to model transformation
As you work through your journey of improvement, you have an opportunity to model what true transformation looks like for your congregation. You can be a living example of what it looks like to walk the path of growth and healing in finances and beyond.
Do you feel guilt when preaching on topics that you personally struggle with? What areas have you avoided preaching on because of personal shame?