By Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com Girls Ministry
There are many reasons (valid and invalid) for a lack of respect for Church Pastors, Christian Ministers, and Lay Leaders. The most common occurrences are caused "over time".
Very few people expect "Christian Leaders" to be "perfect", yet they expect them to have "higher standards" around the way they present themselves in all scenarios. (see 1 Timothy 3:1-12)
Want to help re-build your respect level? Set an environment of respect.
Be Respectable: Who do you truly "respect" and why? Chances are you respect this person because they have some qualities that you admire and seek to emulate in your own life. Does your "flock" (see 1 Peter 5:1-11) see respectable qualities in you? Ask yourself, "Would I respect me?" Girls aren't looking for perfect Girls Ministry Leaders, but in a world of adults that don't warrant respect, the Church Girls Ministry should offer a glimpse of hope... (see 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Stay Professional: Take cues from "the corporate world". In most corporate settings, employees are penalized for being "too personal and casual" on company time. They are getting paid to get a job done, not utilize "company time" to build their social calender. Sometimes in an effort to "be real" and "relevant" we loose the sacredness (if you will) of being a "respectable Christian Leader" because of "TMI" (too much information). Yes, we should build relationships and be able to "relate", but always use discretion. (see Proverbs 10:14)
Get Rid of the Appearance of Cliques: Yes, we should be allowed (if you will) to have "personal friends" within the flock as a Leader. However, be sensitive of the appearance of cliques. Common examples include, Pastors families who only hang out with other Pastors families in the Church, Pastors who appear to pick-and-choose certain Leaders within the Church to socialize with and blatantly exclude others, etc. (see James 2)
Silence Leaky Faucets: These are people who "know too much" and publicize it to the flock. The Pastors wife who gets her social kicks by verbally under minding her husband's respectability and authority amongst other women in the Church, who will in turn "pass their findings on". The Associate Pastor who initiates grumbling and disrespect behind the back of the Senior Pastor. The Church Secretary who gets "too familiar" with the Pastoral Staff and sows seeds of disrespect with Volunteers. The bitter Pastors kid (yes, of any age) who thrives off of "telling stories" of their family life to lash out at their parents and shock key Leadership. The list goes on and on... Who are your "leaky faucets"? (see Proverbs 6:16-19)
Believe You're a Leader: Do you take yourself seriously? People can sense insecurity and lack of confidence and vision around whatever you are doing. If you aren't passionate about teaching and living God's Word to them, why should they be passionate about you doing it... (see Genesis 45:5)
* This is an excerpt from the book In the Times Girls Ministry by Ruth Tynes. Copyright 2006. It may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.
