The “Messianic Syndrome”
美佳之窗 His Window 84（ Oct - Dec 2018）心灵工程\
Text by Rev Ho
Translated by Stephen Cheng
In the life of pastoring a church, the pastor may unconsciously stumble into a "Messianic Syndrome". "Messianic Syndrome' means that when the pastor deals with the church members' problems he behaves himself like the Messiah. Many pastors consider themselves as the answer for all the church members' problems; he chooses to mourn and rejoice together with them. This method of behaving can physically tire and stress up the pastor, because there is no way he can satisfy all the needs of the church members and solve all their problems.
There is an ‘empathy principle’ in counseling as stated in the biblical scripture “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:15 NIV) ‘Empathy’ is being able to feel the feelings and experience the experiences of others, entering into the innermost of their hearts. A pastor can use the principle of ‘empathy’ to counsel others, but he needs to be cautious because different people who are being counseled have their unique problems and feelings, and it is not possible for him to feel all their feelings. If he tries to apply the “messianic syndrome” to forcibly enter into their emotional world but fails, then he will fall into a feeling of guilt, hurting himself and also hurting others.
Knowing the complexity of the “Messianic Syndrome” and applying it for counseling, the pastor needs to pay attention to the following:
1. Accepting his own weaknesses and limitation: eg, the pastor should not be involved in counseling the opposite gender who seeks emotional counselling.
2. If the pastor realizes he cannot help, he should refer the person being counseled to more experienced and qualified people like the psychiatrics and professional counselors.
If the pastor wants to avoid the complexity of the “Messianic Syndrome”, he needs to regularly examine himself:
1. Can I release my emotional problem? Are my emotions in a healthy state?
2. If I fail, how will I feel? Can I accept failures?
3. Am I aware of my own limitation? What is my weakness?
4. Can I accept the fact that my church members whom I cannot help, can get help from others?
5. How do I dissolve criticism and opposition?
6. Do I view myself higher than others?
The question, “Are you suitable to be a pastor?” gives pressure, doubt, anxiety and depression to many pastors. The pastor’s individual character, academic qualifications and experience can deeply influence his pastoral life. More importantly, in the process of self examination, he needs to be sensitive to the touching of the Holy Spirit, in order to seek spiritual break through and transformation.
