Are Church Staff Members More Special than Everyone Else?

I've got a legitimate question for all of you who might read this, and I'll preface it by saying that I've noticed over the years that whenever there's a gathering of people at a church function, either on the church property or off, and the occasion calls for a prayer, everyone looks around to find the pastor or other ministry staff person who happens to be present.  I've noticed this myself since becoming a staff member, and it seems that if I'm ever at a gathering of people, even non-church functions, and a prayer is needed, they always ask me to do it.  When people are in the hospital, they want to be visited by the pastor.  When a pastor teaches a sunday school class, lots of people attend, but if other people are teaching it, attendance is low.  This isn't a complaint - just an observation.

And another observation about prayer: people are scared to death of praying out loud, and most of the time, the reason is that they don't feel that they are sufficiently eloquent.  Those same people may have no problem at all talking to a group of people, say, in a small group setting, but the idea of leading that same group of people in a prayer fills them with fear and unease.

So here's my question: Do you believe that the prayers or ministry efforts of pastors or "professional ministry staff" are somehow more legitimate or effective than those of everyone else?  Do you believe that if a person is ordained, God will use them more effectively than He will use most other people?  Also, do you believe that eloquent prayers will get more of a response from God than non-eloquent prayers, or that when you talk to God, you have to use a different kind of speech than you use when you talk to people?

If you do believe any of the above, what has led you to that belief?

Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 by Chris Branscome

4 comments (Add your own)

1. vdm wrote:
No, I do not believe that their prayers are more effective or get more of a response from God. God hears all of our prayers. The problem is talking out loud in public. We turn to them since it is more natural for them to do it since they do it all the time. I personally do not like to talk in front of a group. There has been times when I tried to lead a prayer and I just went blank. I think because normally my prayers are heart to heart, with no thought or concern to structure, speech, grammar or whatever, it is too hard to turn that into a public prayer. Now, if I have time to think about it and maybe write something down, I think I could do it, but I know that my heart would be beating fast and my hands would be sweating. I guess I am making it to much about me - will I talk clearly, will it make sense, will I turn the words around! So for me - it is the public speaking.
No, I do not believe you have to use a different kind of speech to talk to God. When I pray to God it is a deep, totalling pouring out of my heart to my Father God. - I guess I would not be comfortable to show this total surrender and gut-wrenching pouring out of myself to other people. So in my private prayers, I can surrender all. Maybe I am just not comfortable to do this in front of other - whereas, to see a pastor or church worker pray in this manner, is totally uplifting and an example for us to follow. So, I guess we are just letting them do what we wanted to do.
So, if we ask you to pray, it is because we know you are more comfortable to do it out loud in front of people since we see you talking in front of people at church every Sunday. We just take it for granted that is part of your public routine. Even though you may be asked to lead the prayer, the people's prayers are just as good and effective as the Church staff's prayers and don't worry, if we think you missed something, we will quietly add that in our mind to the end of your prayer. (ha! ha!)
As far as wanting a pastor in the hospital or attending a pastor's class. I think it is because we want the people with the best knowledge to teach us or to minister to us when we are sick. The last thing you need while in the hospital is for someone telling you something that is not biblical or correct. I remember a doctor, who was not a Christian, telling me he would pray to his god for my husband. It kind of flew over my head at the time, but after he was gone it bothered me for days because I did not say something to him. His prayers were going to do no good. Same thing in a bible class, you want someone who has studied the scriptures and who you can trust to be telling you the truth according to the Bible.

November 19, 2008 @ 3:49 PM

2. Brian wrote:
I agree with vdm. I think it all comes down to self-consciousness. I get that deer in the headlights feeling from time to time when asked to pray in front of a group of people. I also feel that way when asked to speak in front of a group of people. Sometimes I can shake it, sometimes I can't. Also I think it does have a great deal to do with vulnerability. Granted we shouldn't be worried about what others may think, especially in an assembly of believers, but we're human and sometimes it's hard to just let go and let God. I don't think the prayers of a pastor/church staff member are more effective, because we are all His children. He loves all of us, and we are all precious to Him.

November 20, 2008 @ 10:26 AM

3. Chris wrote:
I can certainly understand feeling nervous about praying out loud in public if it's not something a person is accustomed to. When I mentioned a small group/life group setting, I don't mean that most people wouldn't feel nervous speaking in front of the group. I mean more in a conversational setting. So let's say a life group/small group is getting together for dinner. Most likely, everyone is participating in the conversation. My point is that prayer, in the same way, is also conversation, and while many people don't feel nervous addressing several people at once in a conversational setting, they do feel nervous when God gets brought into the conversation. And yes, I do know that we don't really think of prayer in the same way, and it's hard to just change the way we look at something.

November 20, 2008 @ 11:45 AM

4. Me wrote:
I have also observed that most people do not like to pray outloud. It used to make me uncomfortable. But just like speaking in front of groups, large or small setting practice makes perfect.
If a person was committed to the game of golf, they would visit the driving range, read golf magazines, and maybe even hire a pro for lessons. A few errant shots on the course would frustrate them, but only serve to make them work harder. Why is it different with prayer?

I admit I am redundant in most of my outloud prayers. I have found a few phrases that work and I modify them depending on the circumstances. Try to get in the habit of praying outloud, especially with a spouse. It is great practice for other times and a wonderful blessing to your marriage.

November 21, 2008 @ 4:07 PM

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