『牧師難為』“What Is A Pastor?”

【Richard DeHaan//重明譯】

^.^~~☆~^.^~~☆~^.^~~☆★★ ~^.^~

If the pastor is young, he lacks experience;

if his hair is gray, he’s getting too old for the young people.

If he has five children, he has too many.

If he has no children, he’s setting a bad example.

If he preaches from his note, he has canned sermons and he’s dry.

And if his messages are extemporaneous, he isn’t deep.

If he’s attentive to the poor people of the church,

they claim he’s playing to the grandstand.

If he pays attention to the wealthy, he’s trying to be a aristocrat.

If he uses too many illustrations, he neglects the text.

If he doesn’t use enough stories, he isn’t clear.

If he condemns wrong, he’s cranky.

If he doesn’t preach against sin, he’s a compromiser.

If he preaches the truth, he’s offensive.

If he doesn’t preach the truth, he’s a hypocrite.

If he fails to please everybody, he’s hurting the church and out to leave.

If he does please everybody, he has no convictions.

If he drives an old car, he shames his congregation.

If he drives a new car, he’s setting his affection on earthly things.

If he preaches all the time, then the people get tired of hearing one man.

If he invites guest preachers, he’s shirking his responsibility.

If he receives a large salary, he’s a mercenary.

If he receives a small salary, well, they say he isn’t worth much anyway.

如果他年輕，他們會說他缺乏經驗。

如果他頭髮灰白，對年輕人來說他太老了。

如果他有五個孩子，太多了。

如果他沒有孩子，那他沒有好榜樣。

如果他看筆記講道，那很枯燥。

如果他的信息是脫口而出的，那少深度。

如果他對教會內的窮困會友較關心，那他是在「做秀」。

如果他對於富人較關心，那他想要成為貴族。

如果他講道用過多的比喻，那他忽略了主題。

如果他用過多的故事，那他說得不清楚。

如果他斥責差錯，那他脾氣不好。

如果他講道不攻擊罪惡，那他是個縱容的人。

如果他教導真理，那他在攻擊人。

如果他不講真理，那他是偽君子。

如果他沒讓人人喜歡，那他損了教會，應該走人。

如果他讓人人喜歡，那他沒有主張。

如果他開了一輛舊車，那他讓會友丟臉。

如果他開了一輛新車，那他以地上的事為念。

如果從歲首到年終都是他一人講道，那大家都聽厭了。

如果他邀請客座牧師講道，那他不盡職。

如果他領高薪，他是唯利是圖的人。

如果他領少，他只「值」那麼多！