The Best and Worst Parts About Being a Pastor's Kid | Barnabas Piper

[@tertiuscarstens7084]

My dad served as a Reverend in the church. Best part: When you have questions about Christianity you can go directly to the person who studied theology. Worst part: Everybody is shocked when they discover you’re also a sinner.

[@Robin-sf3gk]

What if the pastor didn't studied theology?

[@danj9399]

I'm a PK. The best part was getting a solid lifelong exposure to the Word of God. Can't underestimate the value of that. The worst part was knowing that my sins would do more damage than my peers. If my struggles with porn, for instance, became public, they would undermine some (shallow) people's respect for my parents, which could undermine some (weak) people's faith and even my family's income. That generated habits of secrecy instead of confession. Not good.

[@jedisantos2455]

I absolutely agree with this. I love the "solid lifelong exposure" part, and I'm still praying for the right peers to whom I can be accountable with without feeling judged.

[@Seffsqautch]

This was helpful for me to read. I’m a younger pastor with two small children, and this topic has bothered me a lot. Thank you.

[@davidwhitaker2211]

Two years late, but to this I'll say. Love your kids the way God calls for, but don't smother them with Word all the time. When it comes down to interpersonal issues/faith walk of your kids, I'd advise to give counsel on the world aspect and God's aspect. Both are necessary for a complete outlook on specific issues/problems. Allow them room to grow and develop in themselves and in Christ, give them the Word that they can search for themselves, but try not to shove it down or they will go astray (at least for a time). I hope things are going great for you pastor!​@@Seffsqautch

[@CerroneSamuel]

My mom was an assistant Pastor. But I didn’t feel pressured. She made sure I knew what was right but she let me choose. I made bad choices, but she forgave me all the while reinforcing the right thing. I’m an introvert so I didn’t harp on people’s opinion of me. I always wanted to make my mom proud of me because of the love she showed over the years.

[@jedisantos2455]

Same here! 💛

[@lily_8549]

I am a pastor’s kid and I approve the video.

[@heidihollister5386]

Amen!

[@doubleddouble434]

Yup

[@Pandas-are-awesome]

Same

[@jonathonmcmillan9410]

I’m not a famous PK, nor the kid of a famous pastor, but I am nonetheless a PK and I never got free donuts. My own experience was rather different, but I grew up in small churches, not a mega church. My 3 brothers and I are anything but stereotypical PKs, which is to say that there is no universal PK experience.

[@stinky4123]

Gonna be honest I wish I was raised in the church. I would have came to Christ so much faster but I also think that God knows best and the way I came to Christ was the best for me in the long run. Either way God is good 👍

[@bkstandard882]

I'm in my thirties and I resented every minute of it. I couldn't date or even speak to young ladies. Couldn't hang out with friends, had to stay home. The only time all that ended was when my dad died when I was 22. If he were still alive, I'd still be that socially awkward young man. I wouldn't have a career or motivation to do anything. I'd probably die from depression and obesity. My experience was NOT one I'd wish on anyone. This is why I don't think pastors should have children. I'm totally still dealing with the trauma from my youth.

[@Nechole777]

🙏🏾

[@jludwig5374]

As a PK you definitely have certain stigma and expectations in a social setting. Admittedly I've even viewed people differently after they revealed that they're a PK. I sometimes feel intimidated by PK because I think they must have great theology or they could judge me for my sin but that is a wrong way of looking at them. I never felt too much of the pressure because I was blessed to have a dad who was a dad first and pastor second.

[@josiahbubba1409]

Yep, can't relate with the donuts. We don't have those but i do relate to having a church family.

[@МыколаНетребко]

being a pastor's kid sucks. If you are 'good', then your peers resent you, because their parents would point at you as if you are role model. “Why don't you be like (Pastor's kid name).?” And if you do misbehave or rebel, well then the other parents would complain about you, gossip, etc...

[@danj9399]

Oh yeah, i *hated* being other people's role model. I knew i was never as good as people thought i was. I still struggle to accept compliments and praise to this day. It makes me very uncomfortable still.

[@bkstandard882]

I'm in my thirties and I resented every minute of it. I couldn't date or even speak to young ladies. Couldn't hang out with friends, had to stay home. The only time all that ended was when my dad died when I was 22. If he were still alive, I'd still be that socially awkward young man. I wouldn't have a career or motivation to do anything. I'd probably die from depression and obesity. My experience was NOT one I'd wish on anyone. This is why I don't think pastors should have children. I'm totally still dealing with the trauma from my youth.

[@МыколаНетребко]

@@bkstandard882 I’m in my mid 40s and an Atheist now. Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad too. Sometimes pastors are miserable not by their own choice.

[@lisabug75]

Facts it does suck

[@normanclatcher]

I dual-specced into 'class clown' and 'teacher's pet,' and that worked for as long as I actually _was_ a high achiever...

[@zakayoiungu]

Am a PK from Kenya I can confess that I had a worse experience being a pk especially being the first born in the family my father would force me to go to church camps,in school people would bully me even my science teacher because of my father 😥bad experience

[@lisabug75]

Us Pks get put on the back burner. Our parents barely have time for us. We are the loneliest, most misunderstood people on the planet .

[@normanclatcher]

We got soul, but we're not their soldiers.

[@googleaccount4240]

Hi brethren! kindly send me advice.. im really lost. Im a pastor's kid, and for me being one is so difficult. I can't actually see more of the positive side of it. Its sad that my parents' Relationship with God isn't the same with mine, huhu I feel like the church members are looking up to me and expect to live in a certain manner which i cant do. Im lost with what my identity in Christ really is. The youths in my church are doing well, they've been good at music and instruments. What they do isn't my line of interest. But i should be appreciating and happy for them. But for me it feels bad that I can't do what they can. I have this feeling that I should be better or do extra than them since i am a pastor's kid.. (this shouldn't be but its just what I feel, help me guys 😭) I am the oldest among the youths, i feel awkward to mingle with them so i ended up just being alone and not having any friend in the church. I hate the feeling that I'm being looked up to. I want to be a regular Christian who can show and express their real selves. Being a pastor's kid is so hard because I can't express my self the way i want because people might judge my parents. Im living a life that is sugar coated so somehow it is pleasing to people. Its so sad that im showing kindness outside but inside i have this sort of stubbornness and rebellious feeling. Moreover, now im in a state of not having the energy to pray and read the Bible. My spiritual life is declining. I am not comfortable in the church which my Dad is pastoring. I want to join a different church in where where no one knows my background and can comfortably express myself, but of course my parents wont let me. Guys what can you say about my situation, what advices can you give? Are my thoughts right? How could I respond with the thoughts i have? How could I respond being a Pastor's kid?😭😭 If u are reading this, there is a sister here crying, feeling bad, and probably needs your advice. I cant share this to anyone around me who knows my background because they might judge me wrong, so i wanna keep my identity unknown. I really appreciate if you, brethren will send me advices and rebukes but it a nice way.. THANK YOU SO MUCH!😊

[@lauramihai8188]

I can say you are normal, and what you are experiencing is sincere and honest... so I just want to encourage you that you being real (and not a fake) is a good start... instead of a Pharisee, hardening your heart but a relious fake (clean on the outside but thilthy on the inside)- this is not you. You have your own journey.. but please remember Everything is permissible--but not everything is beneficial 1 Corinthians 10:23... you don't have to stain your conscience, memory and reputation in this battle between the spirit and the flesh going on inside of you. James 4:8 NASB Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8...

[@shinylal7809]

Hey! I hope I'm not too late but I just felt I should respond to you because I genuinely feel what you are trying to communicate because I too am a pastor's kid. I have been there and done that. I relate to most of what you are experiencing. The pressure is real. But I just want to say that even I had become disillusioned and turned away from God for many many years literally hating other Christians because of my experience at the church. But I can definitely tell you that was a treacherous road to take. There was nothing there but darkness and sadness and hopelessness. But Praise be to God that He did not give up on me and kept showing mercy till my eyes opened after years. All I can say is that since I know where you are coming from I would say ask God to help you see HIM personally beyond the circumstances and the people like your parents and church members and their expectations. I pray God would protect you from the lies the devil will speak to you to lead you away from God. So my advice is to just trust God!

[@elisabethkharis6431]

Cry out to Jesus...it's by God's grace that we live a holy life...it's not by power not by might but by the spirit of the Lord...who restricts us from certain behaviour and helps us to do that which pleases God and makes us salt and light to those that know no the father.

[@hollyleann1825]

I’m reading your post. I feel your pain but I can feel you have a good heart. You’ll be ok no matter what you do - your saved by grace not by what you do. Ask God to give you the desires of your heart. He wants to give you that. 💗

[@henrickadriell5148]

The Fact Is That No Pastor Is A Great Pastor But Jesus. Before being the Pastor's Kid, Remember that you are the child of that First Pastor, Preacher, Father, Pope Jesus Christ Who never pressures or Condemns Us. No one is perfect at anything and The Normal People Who are Coming to Church to hear the the word and the one who is the child of Pastor are all same. Yes, It is sometimes a mind thinking and mentality that Pastor's Son must be perfect at everything. Before being The Kid Of Pastor, Be The Son/Daughter Of God. Nice Convs with you Shalom!

[@kendrickj75]

i’m a pastors kid and i decided to just be myself and not change for anyone

[@WTG194]

Free doughnuts lol, it would be great if that feeling you felt of it being home extended to everyone in the church. Also we need to stop putting our pastors on pedestals, as if they are the only ones with all the right answers, thats just too much pressure for any human to bare. Although they are partly to blame for this.

[@trustchristnotmyselfextran6298]

💯

[@danj9399]

Yup. I am not a fan of churches being overwhelmingly run by a single head/lead/senior pastor. It's not redundant enough for the church to stay healthy if they leave or struggle or face repercussions from the sin in their lives. It's also too much damn work. Pastors do not have all the gifts of the Spirit. They are not able to do the work of the Body of Christ all by themselves. Churches should be led by elders and run by deacons and elders, and while it's very useful to have some full-time staff pastors for mid-week counseling, visitations, and the like, we should avoid giving the appearance that they are the "head" of the church. The only head of the church is Christ.

[@The7WISDOMSOFPROVERBS]

I was a Baptist PK now I’m a Convert to Ultra Orthodox Judaism. I’m gonna leave that right there.

[@normanclatcher]

I wouldn't touch Jerusalem with a 40 ft pole.

[@twirlybird09]

I was expecting a whole different answer for the best part 😅

[@carloslara3706]

Worst part people in the congregation expect you to be perfect. Best part is you tend to know more about the Bible without trying because you are around it nearly all the time

[@bkstandard882]

There were no good parts for me unfortunately

[@lisabug75]

Same

[@dougdozier8782]

It's weird that they would expect you to live a certain way when Paul expects elders children to live a certain way. Titus 1:6 Am I missing something? Is that a bad thing? Honest question.

[@taylormwomack]

Not really. Paul isn't addressing how elders' children should live but the qualities an elder should have. Titus 1:6-8 is about expectations on leaders, not their children; after all, becoming a Pastor's kid is involuntary. What the verse is saying is that a leader must have raised his children well. His ability to lead the family of God also has to do with his ability to lead his immediate family. So it's speaking more on how the leader treats and raises his family than how his family responds to that treatment. If he is leading his household in a biblical manner, that's what matters.

[@elisabethkharis6431]

@@taylormwomack besides this children are grown ups and I no longer live with their dad...they make their life choices........the parents sis their part......we all have to choose at the end....I grew up in a Christian Home...have I been Christian all my life...no in fact I was a rebel until I the Lord lead me to his wonderful son Jesus Christ our Lord

[@taylormwomack]

​@@elisabethkharis6431 Yes, I agree. Once one is an adult, he/she has to make and live with his/her own choices, not those of his/her parents. God bless! ❤️

[@elisabethkharis6431]

@@taylormwomack salvation belongs to the Lord. An old Christian lady told me ...I have to relay on God for my children's salvation and not what I could do by raising them right....I didn't understand then, now I do. Shalom and the Lord God be your rare guard:=)

[@jeremyjohn97]

#Relatable😅

[@kayleigh8478]

Take whatever you want?? 👀

[@normanclatcher]

...in terms of _pastries,_ yes.

[@Testy_trout12]

Im qlso a pk

[@Testy_trout12]

Also

[@davidpinheiro9650]

Got paid to help Dad? Or did it for free?

[@normanclatcher]

Nah, we don't get paid for _our_ service, yet also, we're expected to 'tithe' based on what we earn... ...hmm, something doesn't add up.

[@vibewithprecocious4560]

There are no best parts

[@promisesmithee943]

😆

[@JK-mo1jk]

Wow...free doughnuts is the best thing about being a pastor’s kid. Not too bright.

[@IsaacsCOOLwhenitsHOT]

It’s a joke

[@wendellraulerson6547]

You don’t know enough of us. Lol

[@carrotstick1970]

Please lighten up. It is a nod to the broader point of the great food or fun food so often present at church gatherings.

[@nikkio.9990]

There's being a pastor's kid and then there's being a kid of a famous dogmatic calvinist pastor. Uff dah.

[@explodingrubberducky797]

Calvinism is a stain on the gospel, and a rather nasty one.

[@BeachsideHank]

It coulda been worse for ya- Ravi Zacharias could've been your illegitimate father.

[@qaz3000]

Too soon

[@mjoforiam]

:)

[@NoOshaughnessy]

Too bad so sad. Crybaby.

[@normanclatcher]

...this helps literally nobody.

[@carolynbohannon4602]

So sorry u were raised in a wonderful family and now u get too dishonor your parents on youtube.

[@kentfink9509]

Abraham Piper dishonored his parents. You might wanna fact check yourself.

[@nikkio.9990]

You have your sons mixed up and also what do you know about what goes on behind closed doors in any family?