What is a Brothapastor?
The word brotha comes from the African American church tradition. In that community, believers often refer to one another with family language. "Brotha" so-and-so, "sista" so-and-so. It's a sign of Christian unity. We are family in Christ.
Unfortunately, some pastors forget they're brothas too. This ministry exists to remind all believers, pastors included, that no one is above the need for the Body of Christ. Pastors need the encouragement and gifts of the church just like everyone else (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). We will always be family, even when our temporal roles are complete.
A brotha and a shepherd
At the same time, the pastor carries a real responsibility. Scripture calls the office of overseer a noble one (1 Timothy 3:1). Pastors are servants of the church, charged to preach, give oversight, and shepherd God's people (1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Peter 5:1-2). They watch over souls (Hebrews 13:17). For this reason, they're worthy of honor and respect, especially from the congregations they serve.
The brothapastor holds these two realities together. He serves God first as a believer and child of God, and then he serves God within his role as a pastor.
The brothapastor's heart
There's a stigma that pastors are crooks chasing money, or that they sit so high above their people no one can reach them. Many have earned that reputation. But that's not the brothapastor.
The brothapastor knows his first call is to be a follower of Jesus Christ. His title doesn't distract him from his identity as a child of God. He cares for the church because he needs the church. He wrestles with the same things everyone else does. Life in a world hostile to the faith. The demands of family. The everyday challenge of being a witness for Christ.
He also takes his charge seriously. He's earned the respect of a congregation and stepped into a position of spiritual influence. He doesn't take that lightly.
In short: the brothapastor serves God first as a brotha, and then as a pastor. And he never confuses the two.
