Here are some ways that a congregation is like a cat...
1) Cats do what they want...
So do congregations:in spite of their pastor's best efforts to train them, they regularly ignore their pastor's best advice and counsel.
2) Cats rarely listen to you...
Congregations often do listen...very politely...then do what they want anyway.
3) Cats are totally unpredictable...
And congregations often catch you by surprise, too...for better or for worse.
4) Cats complain loudly and persistently when they're not happy...
Need I say more?
5) When you want to play, cats want to be alone...
Ever plan a program for the congregation, and have nobody show up?
6) When you want to be alone, cats want to play...
The days when you're tired, exhausted and completely burned out are the days when the congregation just won't let you alone and your members demand a piece of every minute of your time.
7) Cats expect you to cater to their every whim...
And the people in your congregation...they don't want you to be a prophet, priest, teacher, administrator or preacher...they just want you to be their personal chaplain,
at their beck and call.
8) Cats are moody...
And all congregations have seasons where most of the members are sick of you and REALLY sick of each other.
9) Cats leave hair everywhere...
Sometimes, no matter where you go in town, or even in a distant town, you keep running into members of your congregation...sometimes the ones you least want to run into.
10) Cats drive you nuts...
And so do congregations. Regularly.
11) Some cats are very affectionate...and others aren't...but unfortunately, you can't always tell the difference until after you've brought the cat home. Congregations are the same. With them too, you can't always tell their character at first glance. You only find out after you've been there a few months. Then it's too late.
12) Cats can usually take pretty good care of themselves...
Congregations say they can't...but then sometimes treat the pastor as if (s)he is expendable.
13) Some people love cats...
And some pastors are nuts, too.
