Page 34 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

1. Being isolated by others
Quite often the pastor’s children are not allowed to interact with other youth in the church or community.
Their parents want to make sure they are not negatively affected by other children, so tend to restrict their
access to interacting with other children. And because they are the “pastor’s kids,” other people and
children look at them as different and perhaps “too holy” to associate with their children.

2. They are given a lot of church responsibilities
Busy parents in ministry, rather than recruit others for ministry jobs, often rely on their children to fulfill the
needed responsibilities of running the church. People in the congregation can look at them as receiving
preferential treatment.

3. Others capitalize on their mistakes
Some people expect the pastor’s kids to be examples of godliness to the entire church. The fact is that the
pastor’s kids are sinners just like the congregation’s kids. As long as they have exemplary behavior they are
acceptable in the eyes of the congregation, but if they fall into any sin, their sins are publicized with
emphasis. With this unrealistic pressure imposed on them, the pastor’s kids sometimes fail to contribute to
the church ministry in fear of making mistakes and being rejected.

4. Pastor’s kids are tempted. Pastor’s kids are sometimes treated a superior over other youths. They are
viewed as those coming from a high-class family so is the wish of every girl or boy in the church to be in love
with them just for fame. This creates strong temptations, and if not resisted, may lead to tarnishing their
image among their fellow youths, church and community at large.

5. Prideful Disrespect. Many times, pastor’s kids fall into pride. They think that they have everything that it
takes for them to be above every member of the church and they may develop a boastful mindset. This
attitude is demonstrated by a disrespect for others. This can affect their fellow youths or the whole
congregation at large..

6. Accused of using church resources. Fellow youths and friends may see the pastor’s kids dressing well or
having other items. Immediately they are accused of getting all these things through the church offering
and tithes.

The pastor and his family are public figures and the congregation can make false judgments.

Conclusion

A wise pastor will understand the pressures that his children experience and take every step possible to
encourage his children. He should be aware of these pressures and be willing to openly communicate with
his children to be able to properly deal with them in their lives through each stage of family life.

African concept of family life and extending assistance to the entire family.
By Msikiti Jimmy

In Africa, a family is not just a married couple and their children; it extends to the sons of someone's uncle
and kids. For this reason, a family in Africa could include a household, or all their relatives, their clan, their
tribe and all descendants.

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