Like most other public figures, a pastor and his family live in the public eye, like a ‘fish bowl’ where people watch them constantly, frequently viewing them with criticism and cynicism. People who enter the ministry must be prepared to face much criticism, sometimes of a brutal nature. Pastor’s spouses often get ‘suggestions’ that the presenter of that suggestion hopes will be passed on to the pastor. Very few CEO’s spouses experience the same critique system and also very few men in the congregation have children that are expected to be perfect and are carefully watched.
People in the church largely do not understand fully what pastors do. Many have differing opinions of what their pastor should do. In a business the president has authority over the workers – in a church the pastor works largely with volunteers who may or may not show up, do what was asked, or withhold their tithe when they disagree.
Therefore, pulling away from the church role on an annual basis to ask God what a pastor should do with the people in the church God has given him to lead, is vital.