confessions of a pastor

              Every now and then you read a book which so challenges your heart that it causes you to reflect deeply on who you are and what you are about. Such a book is “Confessions of a Pastor”  subtitled “Adventures in dropping the pose and getting real with God” written by Craig Groeschel. He is the pastor of Lifechurch.tv in Oklahoma.

 

         Craig’s honesty is breathtaking as one Sunday morning he stands before his congregation and admitted to them that he was a spiritual impostor. How, over a lifetime, a well intentioned follower of Jesus had built an impressive exterior but failed miserably at being the real thing, a disciple of Christ. His ministry had become a lie. A total pretence. A professional Christian.  I have been so challenged by that, a challenge that needs to be faced by anyone who claims to follow Jesus. What does it mean to be the real thing?

 

    Over ten chapters then this pastor confesses some of the things on his and on the hearts of many a pastor, this one included at times. The titles include;

 I cant stand a lot of Christians!  Most of the time I feel incredibly lonely.  I worry almost all the time. Sometimes I doubt God. I feel completely inadequate.  I stink at handling criticism. I am afraid of failure.

 

    Let me tell you, being really honest, I have felt all of those and probably more in my time. Maybe the call to drop the pose and get real with God finds a resonance with you too.

 

Gordon  McDade