The Sound of Clashing Expectations
Of course the pastor will do ______. Filling that blank often leads to wars and rumors of wars.
July 1, 1984
The choir rose for the anthem while I fingered the sheet music that had been hurriedly thrust into my hands before the service. The choir director had suggested I bring in the congregation to sing the last stanza with the choir. It was a familiar hymn.
Simple enough, I thought. I put the music aside and prepared for the worship service.
As the choir sang, I sat back and enjoyed the anthem. Shortly before the last stanza, I confidently stepped to the pulpit. With a sweeping gesture worthy of Leonard Bernstein, I signaled the congregation to sing and was met with . . . an organ solo!
If I had been able to read a musical score, I would have seen it-the instrumental interlude. Several seconds later, the choir and congregation began singing at the appropriate time without my direction. By then I was sheepishly hiding behind the pulpit.
After the service, one of the choir members said, "We asked you rather than the other pastor because we expected you would know more about music!"
Expectations! Every pastor knows their weight. If it's not sight-reading music, it's being asked to give the invocation at the local D.A.R. even on your day off because your predecessor "always made time for us."
While frustrating, expectations like these are usually benign. They can even provide a good laugh at the local ministerium.
But expectations are also the taproot of every pastor's effectiveness and satisfaction. If we're not offering the kind of ministry our people expect, they will be disappointed, and we'll feel discouraged and inadequate. When a pastor's own expectations are violated, even more serious consequences ensue: strained family life, joyless ministry, eventual burnout.
Often overlooked but most important, we are shaped by what people expect ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
