Yesterday, I posted, “12 Things Pastors Can’t Do.” Today’s post is a parallel look at things laypersons can’t do.
- Read minds. They can’t know what the pastors are thinking unless the pastors communicate often and clearly. Nor can they pray well for their pastors if they don’t know what their needs are.
- Remember everything. Their lives are busy, and their minds are filled with obligations and responsibilities. If we expect them to remember everything we tell them only once, we’re unfairly expecting too much.
- Live perfectly. They’re going to mess up. They will be disobedient to God at times. Expect it, and walk with them when they do.
- Be at church every day. Sometimes we schedule so many events at church that our members get worn out just reading the bulletin. We expect their faithful attendance at everything, which often leaves them no time for family, unchurched friends, or rest. That’s not good church planning.
- Understand a pastor’s burden. They might want to, but they can’t unless they’ve walked in those shoes. We should not expect them to empathize fully with us, for they can’t understand a divine calling to care for the souls of people.
- Listen long to boring preaching. They might sit there, but they usually can’t listen long. None of us can. Not even those of us who preach.
- Get involved without direction. I’m convinced that churches often have willing volunteers who don’t know how to get involved. Nobody’s asked them, and nobody’s told them the next steps to get started in that direction.
- Walk faithfully without being discipled. This one’s a big one for me. We expect believers to know how to wear the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) without ever teaching them how to do it. We call them to be disciples without discipling them. That’s bad leadership.
- Protect a pastor’s time with his family. Laypersons can help, but it’s the pastor who ultimately bears this responsibility.
- Be saved without responding to the gospel in faith and repentance. My point is that some church members may actually not be believers. If we don’t present the gospel clearly each week, we’re missing an opportunity in front of us to evangelize.
What would you add? Let us hear from you.
