In this post, I am addressing an advocacy mission to pastors,
missionaries, and Christian ministry leaders (for brevity I will use the word “pastors”
to refer to all types of Christian workers). So why would those who are spiritually mature, biblically grounded,
positional established, and service-minded need a mission directed towards
them?
Simply because our enemy has a strategy…if you want to harm
the sheep, you start by taking out the shepherd. Even the Lord used such
tactics against the wicked leaders in ancient Israel,
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.
against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.
“Strike
the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
I will turn my hand against the little ones. (Zech. 13:7)
I will turn my hand against the little ones. (Zech. 13:7)
Pastors are called to be disciple-makers, but who disciples
them, encourages them, and lets them know when they are looking out at the world through
dirty windows? It may come as a surprise but the “windows” of our perspective may
become dirty not only because of external factors (such as bugs, tree sap, and
dirty rain) but they may become gradually filmed like the inside of a car windshield gets dirty from who-knows-what. We often
don’t notice the inside until we wipe part of it off and the difference becomes obvious. The
attack on pastors is often cumulative, gradual, by degrees rather than by
all-out assault…and as such, it can be minimized through ongoing care.
Speaking the truth in love, we encourage
“each part” to be working properly so that the body may grow and be built up in
love. (Eph. 4:15-16)
How are Pastors under
Attack?
"Pastors have it easy, they only work one day a week right?" I think everyone in ministry has heard this thought at least once! We laugh politely
at the decidedly unfunny and inaccurate joke.
Let me list five ways that pastors and their wives are
under attack today:
1. Culturally…Pastors are frequently
mocked, slandered, and demonized in the media; at the same time, the changing
culture makes it difficult to know how to do ministry well. One of the quickest
ways to kill a conversation is to reveal that you are a pastor.
2. Economically…While some famous televangelists and mega-church pastors
may be over-compensated to the detriment of the generosity of all, many pastors
are often under-resourced in both time and money. This comes as a result of
shrinking giving, low wages, taking second jobs, increased cost of living,
student debts, health care burdens, and minimal retirement options. Those who
are responsible for raising their own support are rarely fully funded, but
because of their passion for the cause, they simply tighten their belts and
press on the best they can. Yet long-term deprivation takes its toll both
physically and emotionally. One of the most encouraging aspects of ministry is being
surprised by those times when people are moved by generosity. The other side of the coin, perhaps the
hardest aspect of ministry, is not when
people fail to be generous but when the pastor (and spouse) are faced with their
inability to help others like they would want to.
3. Spiritually…The care
for the church comes at a price. It may come as “dryness,” or as discouragement
and doubt. A pastor must often lead the flock despite demonic divisiveness and
distraction even from those who are closest. The enemy is not the person in the
pew or not in the pew, but a spiritual opposition (Eph. 6:10-13).
Finally, be
strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole
armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this
present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
4. Relationally…War is always
hard on relationships. When pastors are without ongoing soul care it puts an
extra strain on their marriage, family, church family, and friendships. Their
cry is that of Psalm 142, especially verse four,
Look to the right
and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul. (Psalm 142:4).
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul. (Psalm 142:4).
5. Institutionally…Pastors can face discrimination within their own movement
due to their age (young or old), orthodox doctrine, small church size, and even
their methodologies. The pastor’s inability to disengage from daily burdens to
learn and grow with others also needs to be addressed.
By the Numbers
Here are some statistics from a study by R.J. Krejcir on
the health or dis-health of pastors from 1989 to 2006 which was published in
2007:
- 1500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
- 50% of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.
- 80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
- 50% of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could but have no other way of making a living.
- 80% of seminary and Bible school graduates …will leave the ministry within the first five years.
- 70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
- Almost 40% said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
- 70% said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.
- 60% to 80% of those who enter the ministry will not still be in it 10 years later[1].
After listing his study’s findings, Krejcir commented that “Many pastors—I
believe over 90 %—start off right with a true call and the enthusiasm and the
endurance of faith to make it, but something happens to derail their train of
passion and love for the call.”[2]
I agree with this statement. We start well, but “something
happens.” But what is it, and is there anything that we can do about it? I
think there is…but first we have to be honest.
Pastors Have Unique
Challenges
I recently heard a seasoned missionary pastor say, “Pastors
are like cops, they only talk to other pastors.” I think to a large extent he
is right. However, when we talk to other pastors how often do we talk about
what is really important? Do we as pastors have another pastor who will
help us refocus our hearts and methods on Christ without burdening us with more
expectations?
It is my observation that pastors often don’t have someone
outside their own church/ministry power structure who can give them feedback that is
both safe and honest. With whom would we openly share our struggles with our calling and
our passion for ministry?
- Not our boss. It is not safe to talk like this with your boss. It should be, but it isn’t.
- Not our employees. While we should model vulnerability to those whom we lead, it is often the case that an employee will not feel comfortable giving honest feedback, especially when their boss is passionate about the issue in question. This hesitancy contributes to groupthink but is justified because the church tends to “eat” our constructive naysayers. Your staff can't be fully honest with you about your attitudes, ideas, and leadership style because you either sign their checks or otherwise control their futures.
- Not our spouse. Spouses, while desiring to be supportive, may not be able to provide the kind of non-threatening critique and challenge that is needed. While spouses will often volunteer critiques of our sermons, they may not fully understand what we are wrestling with and we would spare them the stress of having to carry our weight as well as their own.
If a pastor was going to “get help” in dealing with their
own personal crises they may see a professional therapist or even a
psychiatrist. However, such specialized resources may be beyond the pastor’s
ability to pay. While this therapy may be helpful, I don’t think that many
therapists would be able to fill the Cupbearer role. Pastors need someone with
whom they can honestly and safely share…
- Their theological passions, issues, and doubts.
- Their ministry ideas and concerns.
- Areas where they want to grow, feel inadequate, or need further equipping.
I have found this type of encounter to be not only energizing and revitalizing but revelational. It has been in such moments that I have seen
others find comfort, clarity, and loving correction, and have experienced it in
my own life as well.
I know that my own denomination needs an advocacy mission
for pastors for a number of reasons. Sometimes relations between pastors and
their superiors can be unintentionally strained. When leaders only reach out to
their people when they want them to do something for them, or when they have
done something wrong, then their people will feel used and uncared for. The
same is true of pastors and their supervisors or bishops.
- Pastors of large churches may feel used; as though the denomination only wants their resources (e.g., human, financial, influence).
- Pastors of smaller churches may feel totally ignored and unimportant. Many will never get a call unless something goes wrong.
- Older pastors may have trouble adapting to new ministry contexts and new corporate cultures but are supposed to adapt without explanation or understanding.
- Younger pastors may feel no one has time to help them develop their own vision.
Has “pastoral development” simply become a code word for conforming
local pastors to their Supervisor/Bishop’s current vision for them instead of calling their own gifts forth out of their hearts? If someone
came to us and said they had a word from the Lord for us we should test it
against Scripture and also against the Spirit’s leading on our lives before trying to implement it in our lives. Personal
prophecy is not directional but confirmational. Why is it we think that our visions as leaders are directional and to be imposed on others? If our vision is to be
theirs then God will have already begun to speak this into the lives of others.
Any sincere efforts on our part in staff development are handicapped by the
power dynamics in play.
When I say that there is a desperate need for denominations
to fund pastoral advocacy missions like Cupbearers—as a way of showing relational
care for their pastors, care that comes outside the existing power structure,
does that resonate with what the Lord has been telling you?
I am convinced that ideas have long-term consequences. Someone
once said that the philosophies argued in the classroom in one generation will be
decided on the battlefield in the next generation. So, if we keep going down
this road as solitary and disconnected leaders what will our lives and
ministries look like in 10-15 years?
Who will help
pastors and leaders safely wrestle with theological issues arising from the
text of their teaching and the testimony of their ministry and management
practices? Who will tell us that there is poison in our cup? I am reminded of the ancient Latin prayer,
Cleanse that which is unclean,water that which is dry,heal that which is wounded.Bend that which is inflexible,fire that which is chilled,correct what goes astray.
