There he (or she) is. Standing in the pulpit reading and maybe yelling a little, bringing God's word to the congregation. Afterwards he shakes the hands of those in attendance as they leave. Each giving their approval of that days message. Smiling and being very humble while receiving the compliments.

Sounds familiar? It happens every Sunday and Wednesday (depending on your particular denomination). The Pastor does his thing and hopefully the congregation will not see behind that smile. In the back of his mind he deals with such things as "don't say this" or "don't do that". You know you can't write something like that on your Facebook status. I know it is funny in a 12 year old kind of way but what will the people think? No, you can't tell anyone about the problems you have at home. That is between you and God.

Why must minister's live behind the mask they have been trained to? I have heard and read that those in ministry live in "glass houses". Well guess what! They may be glass but the walls have been painted to depict what should be seen. How sincere and honest is this? What is wrong with a man of God standing up in the pulpit and telling his congregation that he has struggles just the way they do? He's not Jesus. He's not exempt from the trials and sufferings of this sinful world.

I understand the Biblical requirements of a Pastor. "Above reproach," yea, even the prophets of old were not. I know how I must come across in writing all of this but what I want is sincerity. I want honesty. Paul wrote candidly about his struggles, why not us? Are we any better? Nope, not the last time I checked. Let's quit turning people off by the "holier than thou" routine and reach out to them and say "hey, I hurt and I struggle. I understand where you are coming from but Jesus will get us through this." Let's search the scriptures together for the answers. There is no reason to hide.