Should a fat pastor be a pastor at all?
Should a fat pastor be a pastor at all? That question came up the other day, and it really got me thinking. The discussion wasn’t so much about being fat, but about whether pastors should be held to higher standards than non-pastors.
Is being fat a sin? It’s not mentioned specifically as one in the Bible, but lack of self-control is sinful. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that qualifies it for being taken care of. And everyone is called to that, not just pastors. Also, being overweight can be caused by medical conditions having nothing to do with sin.
Are there any unforgivable sins? Jesus says that only “blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” I believe that unrepentant sin disqualifies you from the office of pastor. If every pastor that struggled with sin had to resign, there would be no more pastors. Sin hurts all of our witnesses to Christ and damages our credibility. But I have seen Christ redeem pastors and individuals sin and use it for his good.
The standard is the highest it can be for everyone. Philippians 2 says all Christ-followers are to have attitudes like Christ. Romans 12 says we are not to conform to the world, but to Christ. I Corinthians 12 adds that we are all part of the body of Christ. I’m not sure how the bar for pastors could be raised any higher than what we are all called to live for: Christ-likeness. I strive to live well for Christ because first I am his and not primarily because I want to keep my job.
I also take seriously the call to the “priesthood of all believers”. Every single Christ-follower is a priest/ pastor/ representative. We are all Christ’s ambassadors. However, 1 Timothy 5, 1 Peter 5, and Ephesians 4 discuss the role and qualifications of an elder or pastor. I agree with those, and again think that none of us is exempt from any of those standards.
Are pastors called to the highest standard possible? Yes. And so are all Christ-following parents, students, business executives as response to God’s grace. Because as Paul says in Galatians, there is no difference for we are all one in Christ. Let’s also not forget Jesus’ words about specks and planks. What am I missing here?
I guess if we’re asking if a fat person should be a pastor, we’d have to ask, can any sinner be a pastor at all?
And if there were no fat pastors the south/Bible belt would have almost no pastors at all.
…and I guess we’re also probably assuming that all heavy people struggle with gluttony… it may be true for some, but others really do have medical issues that make the battle to lose it extremely difficult and heart-breaking. …and if it is gluttony, then- yes-it is a sin, as is everything we do out of our own self-sufficiency, and who of us isn’t guilty of that? It just seems to me that when you carry the extra pounds your ’scarlet letter’ is on display for the world to pass judgment… when maybe the real concern should be the mass quantity of planks looming from all those judgmental eyes. A pastor’s qualifications should be judged according to Scripture, … and not a ‘higher human standard’… I, also, think the issue of whether they are experienced in leading others to rely on the Holy Spirit- rather than themselves- is important. It means that they personally have walked with God understanding their own insufficiency… and they can share it, authentically.
Rachel, thanks for reminding us that some sins get noticed more than others, but that we all have a sin problem and are in need of a savior. And sometimes what we pass judgment on as sin, may not really even be a sin- in the case of medical conditions that cause some to be overweight.
Wow, good question…I’ve been “wrestling” with this post the past few days. I’ve kept it in my RSS reader and kept glancing at it.
I think a pastor’s size is one of the areas that does get overlooked, even if it has an “outward appearance” – a scarlet letter of the person’s size.
If a pastor is struggling with sexual issues, they are usually removed from the pastorate.
If a pastor is struggling with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, they are often removed form the pastorate.
If a pastor is struggling with possessions (theft), they are often removed from the pastorate.
Two things that seem to be an exception to the above are…
If a pastor is struggling with caffeine …..
If a pastor is struggling with their weight ….
I wish I could blame a medical condition for my size, but I can’t. Oh, i can site my two bad knees or the arthritis in my foot that I received from breaking my foot too many times playing collegiate soccer on not being able to exercise enough, but I can’t.
Or, I wish I could blame an allergic reaction to vegetables and I could only be able to eat things that are fried, but I can’t.
For me, I guess I see myself (a fat pastor), as a little guy temporarily occupying a large body. In my head, I am still the smallest kid in my High School class. In my head, I’m just a “little” overweight and it can all go away in a month or so if I really work hard. In my head, I am just temporarily having to squeeze into airline seats and restaurant booths.
I didn’t see how adding a measly ten pounds a year adds up over time. 10 x 5 years = 50lbs. 10 x 10 years = 100lbs. After all, I’m just a “little” bigger than I was last year.
Something to think about.
Thank-you for the bluntness of the question, “Should a fat pastor be a pastor at all?” You have really given me something to think about.