I am not a pastor or have any official title at my church but I do understand the enormous pressures such people face day by day. I would love to work full time in church. But not because I see it as a cushy job as many might do. I firmly believe there are heaps of “pastors” out there wanting a cushy life and pastor a church - only to be shell shocked by the reality of heading a church.
Others may say, ” what’s so difficult in being a pastor anyway?” Well unlike secular jobs, the additional job description of the pastor says, “oh by the way, what you do on earth, impacts eternity also.” If that’s not enough to freak you out beyond any other job, then nothing will.
Mark Driscoll has released Death By Ministry Part Two. My pastor gets encouraged by messages like this cause they are real and don’t sugar coat anything. Pastors are humans too - not some half human, half God-like person who can handle anything. As a result, the strains of their job are deep and impacting.
Add to this the spiritual realm where attacks are focussed on leaders in a church. If you were the enemy of God and wanted to impact His local church, it’s much easier to focus your efforts on the leader than the whole church. “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will freak out!” As a result of the enormous burdens and pressures Pastors face, many get burnt. Driscoll provides some interesting, but sad quotes here.
To watch Death by Ministry Part 2, click here or simply watch it below.
I am enjoying this. Having gone through a time of depression (still fighting it) and a time of burnout; it helps to know I’m not alone. It took me reaching out and the help of a friend reaching out to me to get help.
Thanks for this. Keep pushing forward in the faith!
Hi Mark,
Thanks for following me over from 360. Hope you visit often. I had a feeling you would like this series based on some of the things we’ve discussed before.
I highly recommended Mark Driscoll for his no no-sense - sometimes controversial - but spot on views.