“I am not responsible for how people treat me, but I am responsible for how I treat people.”
I was a police officer for over 28 years when I came up with this thought. I learned that being an officer was like being a servant.
Most people don’t call the police until something has happened or they are in a crisis. I always felt that no matter the person, I must always give the same respect and treat the individual with dignity. In Romans 2:11 it says, “For there is no respect of persons with God” (KJV). In other words, God treats everyone the same.
Being a police officer often made me think about what Jesus said in Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Now that I am a pastor, I appreciate the Scriptures even more and better understand them. It is one thing to know something, but when it becomes alive in you, then you know the Scriptures are real. I look at these two occupations—police officer and pastor—as working together. Upon reflecting on both service-oriented professions, I see that you must focus on three points to have a successful ministry in your church.
Ready for the call.
Church life can be hard at times for pastors. People don’t call unless a tragedy or crisis has happened. But we need to be ready when they call.
The person who needs us might not be a part of our congregation or might not have a pastor. But because we carry that responsibility of serving, we must be ready to do what God has called us to do. No matter who the person is or their status, we must be willing to give our best attention to them.
Show respect, not favoritism.
As pastors, we must show the same level of respect to all people. Sometimes, it is necessary to favor one over the other based on ability or need, but as pastors, we learn that it is not a good practice to favor one person over another. Eventually, it causes discord.
Meet people where they are.
As a pastor, you must be willing to meet people where they are in their lives. People are not going to always meet you with a hug and a smile all the time. We don’t know what is going on with them, but we must be ready to meet the need if possible.
We come to serve and not be served. We look for ways to help others so they can help build up the kingdom of God. Life is not all about us.
Let us follow the commands in Matthew 22:37-39 to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
James Moore serves as a Sergeant with the Lenoir (N.C.) Police Department and accepted a role as lead pastor of West End MB Church in December 2020. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in Christian ministry, both from Liberty University. Moore has an advanced certificate in law enforcement and is a certified school resource officer. He has two children, Ashley and Jamie, and one granddaughter, Aubrie. In his spare time, Moore enjoys playing golf and spending time with family and friends. He looks forward to having more time with his granddaughter after his retirement from the police department in August 2021.
