One pastor told his deacons about a fellow who regularly ambushed him as he was approaching the sanctuary. Every Sunday, the guy had a gripe about this or that and was eager to unload on the preacher. Thereafter, a couple of deacons stood near the ambush-site and would catch the offender as he headed toward the pastor. They glad-handed him, asked about his family, wanted to be caught up on all the news. The pastor says they regularly rotated so the culprit never caught on to what they were doing.

A pastor enlisted the aid of a staff member to intercept all the notes being sent to him prior to the service ("no tissue in the ladies room," "the plumbing in the hall bathroom needs attention," "can you announce the Tuesday meeting at my house?"

This is why some pastors remain in their study until service time. They walk briskly into the sanctuary without greeting anyone and thus avoid all the distractions. This is not the best solution. They should not deprive themselves or their people of his greeting worshippers as they arrive. The pastor who visits with his people before the service can often do a week's worth of ministry—and save himself a ton of headaches!—in those few minutes.

But he should always keep his guard up, and a buddy close at hand to assist him, particularly if the negativity is an issue in that church. After all, in biblical times, every warrior had his armor-bearer at his side.

Second: In the same way, the minister is vulnerable in the few minutes following the worship service.

What happens is this: Over the last hour, as the pastor led the worship service and delivered his sermon, he had laid himself bare, sharing everything on the inside of him. And now that the sermon is over, he is empty, drained, spent.  But his mind and heart are still lying open and undefended. Closing up and recovering take time, time during which he is wide open to temptation, to criticism, to negativity, and let's be honest, to ego.

Almost no one but the preacher gets this.

Most ministers are plagued with self-doubts about every sermon they preach. Did it work? Did that story fit that point? Was it too much? Was it too complex or too simple? Was my loud tie too distracting? Did anyone care I wasn't wearing a tie? Did anyone notice that I lost my way momentarily during point 2?

While these doubts fill his mind, he positions himself at the exit and shakes hands with departing worshippers. Most will offer platitudes. "Great sermon, pastor."  "Enjoyed the message." "You just get better and better, pastor."

But once in a while, someone will decide to (ahem) help him out ...

"Pastor, you've preached that sermon before. Here—I marked it in my Bible."

"Pastor, that was undoubtedly the worst sermon I've ever heard you preach."

"I heard Charles Stanley preach the same message on television. And frankly, he does it a lot better."

"That is not my favorite suit. I prefer the dark blue one."

"Our former pastor is preaching at Antioch this week. I'd love for you to go hear him and see why he was so loved."

"As you know, pastor, I once took a seminary course online. I'll be emailing you about your sermon because I spotted a couple of things you could do to improve on it."

And then, there is the pastor's wife ...

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

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