The Hardest Part of Pastoring?

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waitonGod Apr 17, 2012

I'm not yet a pastor, but I feel like God is leading me to open a church in a small town near where I live. When? I don't know. I'm slowly learning that when God deals me about something, He doesn't always let me see it the next day... or week... or month, etc.

Right now I'm attending a very small church. Our pastor resigned for health reasons about two months ago, and I've been trying to help where I can. My wife and I are currently over the Wednesday night services. I feel like we're going through training... and it's not fun.

The toughest thing for me is trying to feed people when I feel like I need to be fed myself. I know pastors face the same thing, and it seems to me like always having to pour yourself out would be one of the biggest difficulties to pastoring.

Any words of wisdom for me?
Any thoughts on other difficulties encountered by pastors?

sermonindex Apr 18, 2012

I would spend a good long time looking in the word at what a pastor is in the NT compared to what a pastor is today. For instance, when some say God called them to be a pastor they think he called them to take a title, stand behind a pulpit, preach a couple sermons a week, marry and bury. If he is calling you to be a pastor then he is calling you to serve the local brethren on level ground as a simple member of the body. Like the elder brother in a house where the father is away, giving meet in due season, protecting and guiding, as a brother - not a nicolatian.

The pastors I know are my friends, they do not dominate the meetings or seek to usurp the many membered body. They are not like professors lecturing students every week. They are just brethren, I can sit in their living room and talk to them like any other brother. They are proven, meet scriptural requirements, and recognized as pastors and I do yeild myself to them double of course.

That sort of takes all the dazzle out of the calling though when we look at it in light of the NT. No fame, no special title, no special priest class status, no salary - just a lowly servant who gives himself to build up the younger brethren in context of real relationships.

Praying for true NT practices, unity, relationships, and power in the last days Church! I guess a lot depends on what kind of pastor you desire to be. God bless you as figure this out brother. -Jim

1Co 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

L

Lamb99 Apr 19, 2012

I'm not a pastor but speaking as a person who came from something other than the Christian church I would like to add a thought to this thread. I remember back before I was saved that what struck me most about the pastor was his "humanity." In this I mean the fact that he was a real human being and not some high & mighty, important overseer who's status and position overshadowed him as a person. I never knew a church leader could just "hang out" with the congregation or stop and pray with a brother or sister right in the hallway. I'd never seen that before.

I don't know if this would be a hard part of being a pastor, but the idea that you are a spiritual host introducing people of other faiths, cultural backgrounds, and practices into the light and beauty of Christianity when they come to your church is definitely something to be aware of.

It's such a big step in the lives of unbelievers to witness Christianity in action and naturally they tend to focus not only in what a pastor says but also in what he actually does. My fondest memory of my pastor was having him share in the moment when I became saved. I cried and he was there literally rejoicing FOR ME because I was so overwhelmed. It was a very "brotherly" moment that as an unbeliever I would have never thought could happen because I had never known such love and "humanity" existed in someone leading a church.

May God's blessing and guiding hand be upon you in your journey to becoming a pastor.

sermonindex Apr 20, 2012

It is a blessed thing that you have a longing to serve yor brethren, and glorify God as a pastor. You have gotten wise words from your brothers here. It is not an office you aspire for...but a charge to be faithfully fulfilled in total dependence in God.

L

Lysa Apr 20, 2012

WaitonGod wrote:
The toughest thing for me is trying to feed people when I feel like I need to be fed myself. I know pastors face the same thing, and it seems to me like always having to pour yourself out would be one of the biggest difficulties to pastoring.

I know I am a woman but I'd like to share what I have learned for me... it might help you or it may not. I have sheep to feed at the local jail (other women) and I am learning that I need to pray MORE in my secret prayer closet than I actually do sitting at the table studying because I've found that studying comes much easier after I’ve spent time in the Lord’s presence.

Here's a tidbit about John Wesley... he would not ordain any man to the Methodist church unless that man made a commitment to fast two days a week – all day until 4 pm, I think on Wednesday’s and Friday’s; although the days of the week do not really matter as long as you make a commitment to seek the Lord & to fast on a regular basis. Wesley believed that fasting advanced holiness in our lives. I can't help but agree with him.

I truly believe if you can cultivate a lifestyle of consistent prayer, fasting while seeking the Lord’s presence, you won’t have to worry about someone else feeding you – you will have meat to eat that others know not of because you will be fed by the Holy Spirit!

God bless you!!
Lisa

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Areadymind Apr 20, 2012

The son of man came not to be served but to serve. Pastoral ministry is etymologically derived from the word shepherd. A shepherd is in the midst of sheep. They feed them, care for them, nurture them, protect them, and all the while they are in the midst of them. Jesus was the friend of sinners not the voice shouting over them. He is our pastor. If you are called to this ministry, commit 1 Peter 5 to your heart. Bathe your understanding of it in prayer. In this chapter you will find requirements, and great hope for what you seek. The two books of Timothy and Titus are also essential here.

The hardest thing about being a pastor, unfortunately is not really the need to be fed yourself, there are invaluable resources online, and through many ministries that can give you nourishment, not to mention, Jesus himself said that his bread was to do the will of his Father. Serving God, in the power of Christ, and not in the power of flesh will be your nourishment.

What is hard however...is not growing weary in well doing... Mounting your armor and keeping it on. The darts of the wicked one are vicious.

sermonindex Apr 20, 2012

Good replies here.

I was just looking over at theaquilareport and read where a group of elders had their pastor tried on going against their churches doctrine but at the trial of the presbytry, they found him not quilty. Boy, that's enough to shake someone up. I found that very sad, yet, in that denomination, the elders and deacons are over the pastor. That's why I joined that group - to make sure they'd never can my pastor :)

Anyhow, while at that site I followed a link to another site and this series by Spurgeon and thought of this thread.

"The darts of the wicked one are vicious" - Areadymind wrote. Boy is that ever true for Pastors. In the church where my pastor is, we have "The Armorbearers" and we pray for the pastors and elders and deacons monthly written needs. They're a very candid bunch and I love being an armorbearer. That's all I've ever wanted to be for my pastor and those guys.
Pastor was supposed to have surgery today to get his heart regulated but GOD had better plans. His heart is beating regular so the surgery was canceled. GLORY TO GOD!!!

Here's the series by Spurgeon and pray hard before you commit to being an undershepherd. BIG job but if it's from Him, it'll burn in you until you can do nothing else.
GOD Bless you and your dear wife!!

http://betweenthetimes.com/index.php/category/series/spurgeon-leadership/

P.S. Just kidding about why I joined there, but I did bring it up when I was joining - but that group of elders and deacons are the best. They refused my Pastor's resignation. PRAISE THE LORD!!! Told you they were the best :)

L

Lordsknight Apr 26, 2012

Well, the idea of the shepherd being among sheep is true, but I don't think sheep bite!

There is so much to share. It is difficult. It is worth it. The thing I would suggest is do not allow you or your family to be abused by bully church members. Choose your battles wisely, give up as much ground as you can without giving up you faith, values and character.

I was nearly voted out of one church for baptizing a black teenager. I have been given nasty letters. I have been called a liar and many other things. I have quit twice and God keeps pulling me back in.

Make sure that you know God is calling you to do this. The church is temporary, your family is permanent.

The biggest problems we ever had came from less than 2% of members. But they were loud, manipulative and deceptive. When I resigned twice I had many, many people shocked and said they didn't know it was going on. I learned that it is usually made to appear bigger than it is.

Pray, Pray, Pray... Trust God! The ride is rough but it has awesome rewards...

My wife just finished her book, "The Deadliest Member of Your Church!" It will be out in about 3 months but it deals with the gossip and damage caused by those who murmur...

Feel free to contact my email. We are desiring to help churches become free and healthy.

T

Trekker Apr 26, 2012

Excellent, excellent answer there, Jimdied2sin. Well said. Some others too.

I've noticed in my own experience too many pastors are all about the money/their paychecks, their title, their authority over others, and that they compete with each other over who has the biggest church and the most members. One big ego trip. Bleh. There was a real lack of love for the sheep too---except of course for the ones who were the highest or the most consistent money givers.

sermonindex Apr 26, 2012

and I am learning that I need to pray MORE in my secret prayer closet than I actually do sitting at the table studying because I've found that studying comes much easier after I’ve spent time in the Lord’s presence.

Right On Lysa!

Being a Pastor is sitting with the Main Shepherd. Moses was a Pastor and Moses spent more time in prayer than being with the people. Moses had his "assistant pastors" administering the daily necessities that needed to be carried out. Christ had His disciples. But Jesus spent more time in prayer than He was with the people.

The mistake that Pastors get caught up in is they think they need to solve every problem that comes their way. So they sit with people day in and day out and giving advice hoping they will heed to it and 99% of the time people don't. All they wanted was an ear to complain. All Pastors that do this become very discouraged and exhausted.

Even the Apostles found that it was better to be in the secret closet of prayer and the word than to serve the general populous of the Church.

If your being called into the Pastoral ministry, learn to be in prayer and ask God that He will give you a network of people that will serve with you as you seek God. They can be your ambassadors in your stead because there is no reason that you should leave the word of God and to serve tables. Acts 6:2

Seek to stay out of the limelight. When your done ministering, try not to mingle with the rest of the congregation. Men and women have the power to cause men to stumble with their flattery. I knew of a man who had a great voice. After his singing Church members would pour into his direction to laud him and it got so bad that he couldn't take it anymore the praises was too much that he left the Church, left off singing and never returned. He never found his back door.