Emphasis Preaching Journal

One of the little-known facts that most parishioners don't know about their pastor is the reality that often a pastor knows more than she or he can say. Because of confidentiality issues, pastors are not at liberty to fully explain their own actions or the actions of someone else and must let people think what they will.

The perception can often go like this: "The pastor isn't doing anything to help the Smiths with their marital crisis," said one member of the church. "I guess he doesn't care about them...."