Many pastors enjoy what they do. Yet, some who felt called to preach, in time, abandon the ministry. It is an unfortunate and tragic loss to the body of Christ.
During Pastor Appreciation month, my blogs will focus on putting pastoral ministry in perspective. Since I remain a pastor, though in the sunset season of that phase of ministry, addressing this topic is not one with which I’m fully comfortable.
My observations could potentially be misunderstood by someone in Springfield. Please don't. Hopefully, you good and kind people will accept that I’m addressing pastoral ministry from an “arms-length” view.
The Pastor's Job Description
Ezekiel’s job description for a shepherd seems simple (Ezekiel 34). A pastor is to feed, lead, seek the wandering, and heal the hurting. Some may need to take note of what is NOT in that job description. Things such as legal advice, a medical opinion or co-signing a loan are not mentioned by Ezekiel.
But, there are complications in each facet of the job description. Consider the complexity of "feeding the flock":
- The dietary needs of lambs differ from those of a mature ewe. Some need milk, while others need meat.
- Some sheep are “picky eaters.”
- A few in the flock seem to intentionally look for weeds to eat.
- The popular “convenience store” availability of pre-packaged “junk food” for the soul.
- Sick sheep won’t eat, no matter how good the grass.
- Some seem allergic to any dietary fiber for their soul.
Later, we will talk about the contemporary complications of leading, seeking and healing.
BTW, Pastoral Ministry REALLY Is Hard
Pastor, you have experienced that being a pastor is difficult. But too often a pastor imagines it is hard because of his lacking. In this, you are wrong. It is usually not your lacking or because you are doing something wrong.
Leadership guru Peter Drucker wrote thirty-nine books about corporate leadership. He made an interesting observation:
Over the years I have made a career out of studying the most challenging management roles out there. After all of that I am now convinced the two most difficult jobs in the world are these—one, to be President of the United States, and two, to be the leader a church.
There you have it: from one of the most studied leadership consultants in history – pastoral leadership is a tough gig. Your job, or more correctly, what God has called you to do, is harder than being the CEO of Ford, the Mayor of New York, or the governor of the state of Missouri.
Realizing this is important, Because, acceptance of the difficulty is the first step toward continually preparing yourself to be effective with whatever difficulties come.
Continual Preparation
"Continually preparing yourself" is underlined above because anything challenging requires preparation. And the more complex a matter is, and it is always complex if it involves people, the more constant your prep work must be. Effective pastors must:
A Word to God’s Flock
Let none convince you that pastors sleep late, work two days each week and eat chicken on Sunday. Cut your pastor some slack. He deals with a lot of “moving parts.”
Books on the Topic discussed: Some books each pastor (and developing preacher) would benefit from...
Questions Pentecostal Preachers Ask (these first editions are almost gone and are a bit expensive).
Masterful Preaching Learning how to preach to the lost.
The Science of Shepherding - Pastoral Ministry for the 21st Century - A great deal of practical insight about feeding, leading, seeking, and healing God's people.
The Details Matter - Leading and Managing God's Church. Per the directives of the United Pentecostal Church, International this is required reading prior to ordination.
Honey from a Strange Hive An assortment of funeral sermons, some for difficult occasions such as a funeral.
Leave a comment