Real pastors know how to really listen to what people are saying, as well as to what they're not saying. Real pastors are those who are more concerned with hearing what others have to say than with being heard themselves.
Real pastors embrace doubts and questions – both their own, as well as those that come from the people to whom they minister. Doubts and questions don't scare real pastors, who instead use them to propel themselves and others deeper into their journey of faith, constantly causing them to explore and reexamine their own faith, while remaining open to new ideas. Real pastors consider this faith journey to be the ultimate adventure.
Real pastors are encouragers who see beyond a person's facade and into their hearts and potential. Real pastors speak God's words of truth into the lives of others, encouraging people to become who God created them to be. Real pastors encourage the dreams of others & dare to dream themselves.
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Real pastors are human. They accept that they're NOT God and so they don't try to be. By embracing their own brokenness, they allow God to use them to minister to other broken people.
Broken people like Sarah, the student who initially caused me to contemplate the meaning of a “real pastor” in the first place. Sarah is, without a doubt, challenging. In particular, I remember a mission trip that Sarah attended, and, for no particular reason, she destroyed several people's air mattresses, including my own. In response, I confronted her and in that moment, God gave me the ability to love her, listen to her, and show her his grace, a response that was simply met with tears. Since then, I have continued to love Sarah no matter how often she's pushed me away, and to see past her facade to the person God has created her to be. I've spoken words of truth into her life, encouraged her, and believed in her.
So the next time Sarah tells me that I'm not a “real pastor,” I truly believe I'll be able to look her in the eye and respond humbly and confidently that for her, I am.
