Lies Pastors Believe

“Dear Pastor, what lies are you tempted to believe as it relates to your role in ministry?”

Over the course of my time in ministry, I’ve asked this question (What lies are you tempted to believe as it relates to your role in ministry?) to dozens of pastors and Christian leaders. It’s a question that often goes unasked in religious leadership circles, but the resulting conversations have been honest, vulnerable, and revealing. Here are some of the common answers I’ve encountered. I’m confident that at least some—if not many—will resonate with you.

I have a small church, which makes me a bad and ineffective pastor.

My addiction has no effect on my congregation.

More speaking opportunities at ministry conferences means I’m a legitimate pastor.

The size of our buildings, budget, and attendance are the only viable way ministry success can be measured.

I must be only pastor who struggles with _______.

If I pastor better, God will love me more.

I can please everyone AND be faithful to my calling.

If I preach better, my church will grow.

My physical health and wellbeing are not spiritual matters.

I don’t need help.

I don’t have time to rest.

God’s grace is big, but it’s not big enough to cover what I’ve done.

My personal identity is directly related to my ministry performance.

If people knew how much I really struggle, they would fire me as their pastor.

If I do more ______ then God will love me just a little bit more…

These lies reveal the dark crawlspaces of the psyche of a pastor. They’re not surprising to me, though. In almost two decades of vocational ministry, I’ve been tempted to believe these things as well. Unfortunately, there are dozens more lies that are just as tempting and just as seemingly credible. These lies are powerful and the only way to break their hold on us is to call them what they are: lies.

The large majority of our time and effort as pastors is spent preparing to speak truth to those we are leading. I think it’s worth spending just as much time and effort to identify the lies we’re speaking to ourselves and exchange those lies with truth.

Therefore, let me end with this much needed truth: “Dear Pastor, you are loved, not by what you do or by how well you do it. You are loved for who you are—and more importantly, to Whom you belong.

What other lies are you tempted to believe in ministry? And what truth can you exchange in its place?