The Office & The Church
One of my favorite programs on television is The Office. It’s absolutely hilarious. I enjoy the original British version, as well as the newer US version. Anyway, as I watched last nights new episode I began to realize how much Michael, the regional manager, reminds me of many pastors that I’ve met.
Michael is a bit out of touch with reality. He would believe that he’s a pretty cool guy…hip, with-it, and highly respected by his employees. He is always going out of his way to communicate how he’s “down” with each person. In fact, too often he goes overboard in trying to relate with his co-workers. Most of the employees make fun of him behind his back…except for Dwight. Dwight has this odd obsession with Michael…and as a result he definitely strokes Michael’s ego.
Do I really need to point out how Michael reminds me of many pastors (myself included)? It just seems so obvious!
We pastors often get a bit of Michael in us from time to time. We try to present this image that we’re hip. We tell stories and jokes hoping to win the approval of those in our congregations. Sometimes our efforts to be seen as “cool, funny, smart, etc” get in the way of communicating the message that God has given to us. I can tell you of many times that I’ve made fun of pastors trying too hard like Michael. And, I’m sure that I’m made fun of on a regular basis for the same thing. Of course, every pastor has their “Dwight”…that one person in the congregation that lets you know how great you are and helps us believe that we can do no wrong. But, we need to come back to an honest reality.
I think what I’ve learned from The Office is that Michael would be respected a great deal more if he would simply be himself. We pastors need to remember who we are and what we are called to do. We are called to lead…not to do whatever it takes to win people’s approval…but to be true to our calling. As pastors, we need to be honest about who we are. I think presenting these images of being “hip” get many of us in trouble. Pastors begin hiding behind these images we create and then it all hits the fan when the truth comes out.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that we all just need to be honest and simply be ourselves. We don’t need to put on a show. We simply need to do the work that God has called us to.