Pastoral ministry is hard …
May 13, 2008
Harder than most people know. Much harder than I ever suspected, I think.
Oh, it’s not the study that’s difficult. It can be demanding, yes, but it’s also very rich and rewarding — intellectually stimulating and spiritually satisfying. And it’s not the teaching and preaching that take a toll at last. Any pastor worth his salt loves to teach his people and loves to preach God’s Word. It’s not the long hours that are exhausting, or the many things that have to be done — meetings attended, visits made, calls returned, emails answered, folks counseled, problems solved, friends walked with, and so on. None of that is what makes ministry hard.
No, what makes it hard are the responses to the work, which (with a few exceptions) are generally things like indifference, boredom, persistent disapproval, criticism, disrespect, insult. Some of the latest figures I can find indicate that 80% of pastors (and 84% of pastor’s spouses) live in a relentless state of discouragement. There was a time in our country, not too long ago, when the pastoral profession was held in some esteem, both in the church and in the community. Now pastors are among the least honorable, and 70% or more say that pastoral ministry has depleted their sense of self-worth and confidence. Fifty percent of pastors say they would leave the ministry tomorrow, if they could, but they have no other way to make a living. The majority of pastor’s wives surveyed said the most destructive event that cricket free ringtones | free verizon wireless ringtones | free kyocera ringtones | caller download hotlink ringtones | free mobile phone ringtones | free ringtones for motorola cell phone | cricket free phone ringtones | download free ringtones virgin mobile | real music ringtones | free ringtones for cricket cell phone | cell cricket free phone ringtones | free jamster ringtones | much music ringtones | free real music ringtones for nextel | free ringtones sprint | download verizon ringtones | cricket phone ringtones | send free ringtones to your phone | make your own mp3 ringtones | info personal polyphonic remember ringtones | has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry.
I wonder what the symptoms of burn-out are. Some days I just weep, and I don’t know why. Sometimes I fantasize about running away, and I wonder if it would even matter. I feel exhausted. I never sleep too well. My blood pressure is elevated. And I just may be self-medicating on caffeine!
Pray for my family, and for me. Pastoral ministry is hard!
Yes it is. (Been there, done that - as a preacher’s kid- and hated every minute of it) And for you it has to be an even more difficult mental balance, as you are also fighting the depression that comes with sugar swings. All I can say is stay on your knees as much as possible. What is impossible with man is possible with God. That has to be your most important priority - over emails, over blogging, over studying, over meetings, over everything. And we will stay on our knees with you and for you. Do not let the “job” of pastoring hold sway over the “calling”.
Hey Spencer, as one who was formerly under your pastoral care I can assure you that God has produced fruit in the lives of those you have served as pastor. We are ever thankful of your faithfulness to preaching and teaching God’s word. As a gospel minister myself, I have also felt the pressures and disappointments that can accompany ministry. May God be gracious to you and your family. May He strengthen you and keep you faithful to his calling and may He move among your people to stir them to love the things of God and the people of God, especially you, His servant. We love you dearly and miss you and your family terribly.