27 Things Rabbis, Priests, and Ministers Won’t Tell You
Updated: Apr. 04, 2021Religious leaders share embarrassing moments, secret frustrations, and what they've learned from years in the cloth.
I am just a regular person
I get angry when someone cuts me off in traffic. I have kids who disobey me. And yes, I argue with my spouse. Learn some surprising things you never knew about the Pope, too.
When I was a new minister…
…a seasoned minister came into my office. She said, “How’s your day going?” I said, “I am so frustrated. I have the newsletter to work on, my sermon to write, and all these other things to do—but people keep calling with all these interruptions.” She said, “The interruptions are your ministry. The rest is just paperwork.” Regardless of religion, people are the first priority. Read about how this methodist minister came to a rabbi’s rescue.
A lot of us have trouble saying no to other people’s needs
As a result, we work too hard, rarely take vacations or any time off, and can burn out really fast. Several health studies have found that we suffer from higher rates of obesity, hypertension, and arthritis than the average population does. Learn what the other most stressful jobs in America are.
My most embarrassing moment?
I was ill with a high fever during a wedding, got confused, and started to give a funeral homily. Thankfully, they were very forgiving! For some more holy hilarity, check out these real photos of funny church signs.
I used to preach for the kids during a children’s sermon and save the heavier stuff for the parents
But then I realized that if a seven-year-old does not understand my sermon, neither does his dad. I don’t know if that’s bad news for the dad or good news for the seven-year-old.
Am I always 100 percent sure that God exists? No.
Every minister I know has a faith life that ebbs and flows. Sometimes we feel really close to God, and sometimes we don’t. But even when God feels distant and abstract, we’re still leading worship.
I’m not always on the clock
If you come to my house for a Super Bowl party, I don’t want to tell your kids Torah stories at halftime. Here are some facts about Passover and why we celebrate it.
If I’m in a smaller congregation, I may wear 15 different hats
On any given day, I may order toilet paper, visit someone in the hospital, and plan for the Sunday service. Last week, I dressed up as Moses for Bible school. I thought to myself, This is a random job. We bet you never knew that these common phrases came from the Bible.
The sexual-abuse scandals have caused such a mistrust of the priesthood
In response, some priests don’t touch anyone at all. I’ve taken the opposite approach. I am always touching people—a light pat on the shoulder, a squeeze of the hand—so if anyone ever accuses me, I’ll have hundreds of people who can say that’s how I am with everyone.
A lot of us find weddings stressful
Everyone wants to be in charge—the bride, the groom—and we’re the ones in the middle of it all. Funerals, on the other hand, are easy because the guest of honor doesn’t ask for much. These are the secrets wedding planners won’t tell you.
Since I’ve become a rabbi…
…I’ve realized that the moment of truth for many people is after they have passed away and I’m interviewing survivors about their life. It reminds me of how important it is to live your life thinking about what people will say about you after you pass away. Check out these incredibly meaningful life lessons from people who’ve spent time with the dying.
Here’s a pet peeve: People who tell me not to be preachy
Isn’t that why you hired me? We’ll always be respectful, but we may say things that make you uncomfortable.
You may think of the church as a place of deep spirituality, but it’s also a business
Every week, we’re counting the number of butts in the pews and counting the money in the plate and trying to figure out how to get more butts in the pews or money in the plate—or deciding what we can cut from the budget to make it balance.
In seminary, you worry about how well you understand religious history
Then you get out, and people have cancer and they’re in the hospital and they’re dying, and you realize it doesn’t really matter what you believe about salvation, heaven, or hell, because these people need you. These are the secrets hospitals won’t tell you.
I got an internship as a hospital chaplain while I was in seminary
I was worried because I have no medical training whatsoever. My supervisor said, “All you have to do is sit with them. Your job is to represent God being with them in the room.” I had to sit back for a minute and absorb that. It was very humbling and amazing. Learn some amazing true stories about times prayers for healing really worked.
I have found people who convert to be incredible sources of inspiration
Often, they become “model citizens” of the congregation. These are some inspiring quotes about hope to read when you need a lift.
It’s funny the things a minister has to know
I’ve learned how to care for things made of brass. I’ve learned how to fix roofs and plumbing. I’ve learned about child development, marriage counseling and family dysfunction, along with banking and fund-raising and the legal requirements of being an employer.
I once wore a pink shirt on the pulpit
The next week, I had a congregant bring in a brand new boxed white shirt for me. Don’t do that. As long as I look respectable, you are not entitled to be my fashion critic. Get a look at the world’s most beautiful stained glass windows.
In every congregation, there are always some people…
…who are hard to love, and those people can take up so much of your time. I have to confess I don’t always have the energy and patience for them. There are days when they call and I see who it is and I think, This is the fourth time this month I’ve had to talk to you about what you’re going through. I just can’t do this right now.
The church can be a lonely place if you’re a minister
You’ve got everyone’s burdens, and there are thousands of things you can’t tell anyone about. Get a look at some eerily beautiful photos of abandoned churches around the world.
If you’re in my congregation, we can be friends, but we’ll probably never be best friends
I need to be able to complain about work occasionally to my best friends, but if you’re one of the people I serve, I can’t do that. Plus, here’s something you probably don’t think about: One day, I may have to do your funeral. The closer we are, the harder it will be. Next, learn some more secrets funeral directors won’t tell you.
