Does being around a preacher make you nervous?
By applsofgld
@applsofgld (2506)
United States
April 12, 2007 9:41pm CST
I used to be so nervous around the preacher or anyone who was a staff member of church, I wanted to be on my best behavior and didn't want them thinking bad of me. But over the years and after becoming very good friends with some, and then my own children being called into the ministry, I have a different view now of staff members. I finally realized that they are real people just like me and they love to be treated normally, with respect of course, but for us to be ourselves with them. Are you yourself or are you a nervous wreck when talking with any one in the ministry? My dad was always just himself, sometimes we would get tickled at him, but he said he was going to be himself he didn't care who they were. They laugh, love and hurt just like the rest of us, they are just put on a pedestal for everyone to view, criticize or judge, so I know it is difficult sometimes to be that person.
9 people like this
18 responses
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
13 Apr 07
I am nervous being around anyone I don't know and it wouldn't matter if it was a preacher or just someone I met , I would be uncomfortable .
I watch what I say though as I don't want to curse in front of a preacher as that would just look bad and I do try and watch my behavior , not so much because I am worried about what the preacher will think , but more because when you are around someone like this , it reminds me of how I should behavior in a certain way because of God :)
6 people like this
@GardenGerty (157553)
• United States
13 Apr 07
No, I am not nervous, we have a rather large pastoral staff and I have known some of them since they were young.Besides, my brother is a preacher. I had best not get nervous. I love him a lot, he sounds like Dr. Phil. I am myself, and God loves me very much. They have to love me as well.LOL It does not hurt when the pastor uses a lot of stories of his own real life.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
13 Apr 07
Yes I would be nervous. I'd worry that I'd swear by accident or say the wrong thing. I know they are people just like us but I'd still be nervous.
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I have never that way but I do know people who are and I also tell them they are nd as know one is perfect neither are tehyjust the same as the rest of us. They make mistakes and as no-one is perfect neither are they.
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
13 Apr 07
OOps sorry ..wish I could edit..don't know what went wrong.
2 people like this
@Yestheypayme2dothis (7874)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I never had a problem that way except for two ministers and it was not because they were ministers, but it was their personalities. One was very strong, and he was tall. He was forceful and intimidating. The other one was nervous around people and he was a people pleaser for the wrong reason. I did not trust him. We have a friend who is a nun. We see her all the time. We go to her apt. We spend time together. She is just like anyone else.
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
13 Apr 07
Preachers, pastors, priests, ministers, monks, rabi's, etc. are all just people too. some are very holy and special, some lie, cheat and steal like anyone else might. The only person I have ever felt strange around was the Superior Sister at the catholic school I attended. To be honest I was afraid of her. I thought she spoke to God personally and told him who the bad kids were. That's what one of my friends said. I believed we could not touch her because she would turn to dust and blow away if we did. She could touch us though. Sometimes she would pat one of us on the head. That kid was popular the rest of the week. I attended catholic school kidergarten through 5th grade. She must have been very lonely because rarely did any of the othere nuns speak with her or laugh with her like they did each other.
4 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
16 Apr 07
..nope, they wouldn't make me nervous.. even if they were a 'bad' sort of preacher and went around looking down at and judging everyone.. I used to pretty much 'fear' most people! That was B.J. / before Jesus!:)) Now I love people instead! I'm never nervous around people, not even 'authority figures'.
:))
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I am not nervous around our preacher, or any other one. They are human men, like the rest of us. We are all a large family, with love and respect in our hearts for one another.
1 person likes this
@stella1989 (2274)
• India
13 Apr 07
Well first of all ask yourself!! You may be getting a fear of getting caught ..!! You may have sinned!! and trying to hide it!!lol
Well ask it from your self!!
Earlier even I felt the same way but now I am very much ok with them!
They are just another person!!thats it!!
@chaygylmommy (2470)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I guess I am nervous around clergypeople that I am just meeting. Once we get to know each other, though, I am pretty laid back. I have been lucky to have a great relationship with my preacher. You are right...they are just people with the same trials and tribulations as the rest of the world.
3 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I'm the same as someone else said, I'm nervous around anyone that I don't know but once I get a little familiar I'm fine - same goes for preachers and such. My step dad's best friend is a Catholic Priest - he's at all of our family dinners, holidays and such. My best friends are a retired pastor and his wife - they've seen me at my best and my worst. Also the senior pastor of our church lives just down the road from me and passes my house daily on his way to the church. I also have several other pastors, retired pastors, and pastor's wives that I'm great friends with. I treat them all with respect I feel they deserve for their possition, knowledge, and experience but they are human and they enjoy fun and jokes just like everyone else.
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
14 Apr 07
No i am not at all nervous. I am blessed to have them around for I know that they will be giving me good news and the message from God.
@princess1011 (340)
•
13 Apr 07
I remember when I had to meet my Vicar at his house to discuss my wedding day. I was nervous and kept telling myself not to say anything out of turn and to think before I speak.
During the meeting I said Oh my God about 3 or 4 times and everytime I said it I thought oh no what must he think of me taking the Lord's name in vain. My husband kept giving me a look as if to say - stop saying that
The vicar however, didnt bat a eyelid. I think he realised it was just the way I speak and didnt mean anything sinnister by it.
Funny thing was is that I dont normally say Oh my God when I do speak. I think it was nerves and knowing I shouldnt do something makes me do it even more
1 person likes this
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
13 Apr 07
When I was younger I would be, especially one in particular who was so upright and dressed so fastidiously in nice three piece suits that he reminded me of the school principal. LOL
Now I know after dealing with some wonderful pastors over the years that they are just as human as you or I. And the suit doesn't make the man. Of course I respect them, they have a difficult job and a wonderful calling.
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
13 Apr 07
If it did id be in big trouble since i am one !however we in the ministery are also humans just like you and believe me no one is perfect if we are christians we are however forgiven!
@myworld_and_you (1223)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
I have never experienced being nervous around preachers. What I am totally nervous is when I have to face the crowd and give any message to them. But when around the preachers, no I am not. I may be shy at first but eventually I would be making friends with them. Like us, they are just ordinary people, ordinary sinners, who just turned themselves to serve God through preaching the Good News. :)
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
18 Jul 07
I'd be in trouble if I got nervous in front of the preacher...since I'm married to him!
He's just another man. He has dreams, laughs, cries, gets angry, loves his wife and his children and wears two different socks to work sometimes...just like everyone else.
@thefuture (1749)
• Nigeria
13 Apr 07
I am never nervous when it comes to being aroung preacher. I do welcome them whenever they come to me. I do show care and make them feel comfortable and I think it is right. Thanks
