Is it okay to hug your Pastor?

[Michael The Disciple]

In the days of the Jesus Movement when love was flowing like rain we all hugged everyone! When I moved into Pentecost it seemed much more formalistic and cold. You had to kind of discern who you hugged. Im fine with what we will call "Christian type" hugs where the bodies of the people are not close.

At this point I would not be comfortable hugging the UPC Pastor where my wife attends and I visit occasionally. He seems like a good man but at this point I only know him formally.

[Hoovie]

It's not a "pastor" question. You should treat them just like other brothers and sisters in the Lord. More about expectations and personal preference.

[endtimer]

It's not a very common thing in our church to hug the pastor but it isn't looked down or thought of as weird either. I certainly have no problem with it, I've hugged him a few times myself.

[deafdriscoll]

At my church we always have hugged each other since I started to attend it in 1986. The church I went to as a kid there was no contact and it was a lost chuch with membership over 2,000 people. My little church is like family and we are close.
The word says to greet each other with a Holy Kiss. I do not do that. Just hugs.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by deafdriscoll

At my church we always have hugged each other since I started to attend it in 1986. The church I went to as a kid there was no contact and it was a lost chuch with membership over 2,000 people. My little church is like family and we are close.
The word says to greet each other with a Holy Kiss. I do not do that. Just hugs.

I "kiss" but not with the lips.


1.to touch or press with the lips slightly pursed, and then often to part them and to emit a smacking sound, in an expression of affection, love, greeting, reverence, etc.: He kissed his son on the cheek.
2.
to join lips with in this way: She kissed him and left.
3.
to touch gently or lightly: The breeze kissed her face.
4.
to put, bring, take, etc., by, or as if by, kissing: She kissed the baby's tears away.
5.
Billiards, Pool . (of a ball) to make slight contact with or brush (another ball).

[supertone]

Pastors are servants of the church. If you want them to hug you, they should have to do it. If they don't, then it would appear that they haven't truly submitted themselves to service.

[PraiseHymn]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Is it okay to hug your Pastor? Please give pros and cons.

How about you ask your Pastors wife (if he has one) if its OK to hug her husband? See what kind of response she gives. If she says yes, then ask your Pastor if its ok and see what he says.

This issue is about respecting the standard of the church so if all else fails and you dont feel comfortable asking the one you want to hug if its ok, follow the standard set forth in the Church.

[shag]

I never realized churches had hugging standards. I always thought it was simply personal preference.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by PraiseHymn

How about you ask your Pastors wife (if he has one) if its OK to hug her husband? See what kind of response she gives. If she says yes, then ask your Pastor if its ok and see what he says.

This issue is about respecting the standard of the church so if all else fails and you dont feel comfortable asking the one you want to hug if its ok, follow the standard set forth in the Church.

All that for a hug?

I own a farm... I talk to a lot of other farmers and people starting into homesteading by email and phone. They wind up on the farm to buy chickens, piglets, calves, kids, goslings, etc. Almost without exception the women hop out of their cars and give me a hug. While most of the men may shake my hand on the way in they give a hug on the way out. I've always interpreted that to say I am warm and approachable.

Few times ever come and go with new people that we do not have a reason to share about the goodness of God or that I do not talk about my wonderful husband (who is seldom present because we work opposite shifts) and what he contributes here... So I will assume there is nothing more in these hugs then a thank you from them to me and me to them for being an encourager and sharing the love of Christ.

I can not imagine having to ask someone's permission to do that.

I did have a Muslim man buy goats once who refused to shake my hand. Still he was gracious to put the hand he would have extended over his heart and bow deeply giving me a chance to put my extended hand down without looking rejected.

Let us never become like those who do not believe that we can love others without losing control and winding up lusting. For if we are like them the Holy Spirit certainly does not rule and reign in our hearts.

[Bro. Robbins]

Can't really vote in the poll since it doesn't have certain qualifiers in it... for me, it's nothing to do with "holiness" standards or things like that, but just is what is culturally appropriate in the culture of that local church and community. Where I was raised, and most of the folks I spend time with, you would never consider hugging across gender lines unless they were family... just considered inappropriate.

So, if my pastor were a woman, I'd never think of hugging her, even from the side, as it is just not appropriate for me to hug the opposite sex by most people's terms.