1.0Church Answershttps://churchanswers.comPastors, Stop Trying to Fix People’s Problems | Church Answersrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="JJ1H7TrxDL"><a href="https://churchanswers.com/blog/pastors-stop-trying-to-fix-peoples-problems/">Pastors, Stop Trying to Fix People’s Problems</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://churchanswers.com/blog/pastors-stop-trying-to-fix-peoples-problems/embed/#?secret=JJ1H7TrxDL" width="600" height="338" title="“Pastors, Stop Trying to Fix People’s Problems” — Church Answers" data-secret="JJ1H7TrxDL" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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https://churchanswers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Man-trying-to-stop-toppling-dominoes-on-table.png1200628I once made the mistake of giving my cell number to a troubled transgender alcoholic. For several nights in a row, I had the privilege of answering my phone at 2:00 AM, only to have the same conversation ending with the same advice: “Stop going to gay bars, getting drunk, and picking fights with drag queens.” My advice was simple. The situation was not. The mistake was not that I reached out to someone desperate for help. Of that, I have no regrets. My mistake as a pastor was buying into this person’s perception of me. He thought I would “fix it” and give some magical advice to make the pain disappear. Of course, I shared the gospel. Of course, I shared how Jesus heals. But, I did little to lower the lofty expectations of my abilities to solve his issues. He believed I could fix it. I played the part. I am a pastor, after all. It’s what I do, right?