Every child at one time in their life wants to be a superhero. I remember when my boys put on capes and ran around the house pretending to be Superman. I didn’t have the heart to tell them they couldn’t fly so I let them figure that out themselves as they jumped off the top of the steps leading to the playroom. It only took a few attempts to come back to reality.
ClampSuperman was one of my all-time favorites. He could be anywhere in a flash, and always seemed to be there when he was needed. He would drop everything to come and save the day. Rarely did you ever see him make a mistake, and his only weakness seemed to be love.
I had an opportunity this past week to spend time with some of my heroes – pastors. It was such an honor to rub shoulders with them at the South Carolina Baptist Convention annual meeting. There was one retired pastor who had served in ministry for nearly 50 years and in the same church for 38. It was such an honor to talk with him and see his eyes light up and a smile break out across his face as he spoke of his ministry. There was a new church planter who was excited about what God was doing through his core team of people. I felt the energy in a room full of student pastors dedicated to the next generation. I sat and talked to three young men who were being intentionally trained through their church to be church planters and pastors. These were sharp guys who have traded in worldly success to pursue a call to full-time ministry.
All of these men have dedicated their lives to saving a lost world and equipping disciples to make disciples. Their heart’s desire is to see lives transformed. They have sacrificed career opportunities in order to lay down their lives for the mission. Their children and wives have shared them with the church.
Pastors are the real superheroes. Please don’t expect them to be make-believe superheroes who can be anywhere in a flash, drop everything with their family in order to save the day, and never make a mistake. And please don’t take advantage of their weakness — love. Give them the honor that Timothy speaks of when he says: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).
So who’s your hero? Take time in this season of Thanksgiving to let them know how much they have impacted your life. If you are a pastor, it is my honor to serve you. You are worthy of a standing ovation.
– Clamp is evangelism group director for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Follow Lee on twitter @leeclamp or on his blog at www.leeclamp.com.