Irregular Pastor and Loving It

Image credit: blog.speakupmovement.org

I recently stumbled across an article that lists "the ten real reasons pastors quit too soon": 

1.   Discouragement
2.   Failure
3.   Loneliness
4.   Moral Failure
5.   Financial Pressure
6.   Anger
7.   Burnout
8.   Physical health
9.   Marriage/Family problems
10. Too busy

As a co-pastor (with my husband) of a one-year-old church, here are my thoughts on each of those points, and the reasons I don't see us quitting any time soon:

1. Discouragement is due in large part to criticism, and being a woman in the pulpit makes me an even bigger target. Criticism (and sexism) is never going to go away, which means I either become discouraged along with all the other discouraged pastors out there-- or I develop tough skin. One thing I'm learning as I grow: tough skin makes a person harder to chew.

2. A sense of failure in the ministry is directly related to one's definition of success. If success means large attendance or big offerings, it's easy to see why more than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month, as the article states. But if "success" means lives transformed by the power of Christ, and if that vision permeates everything we do in the local church, success is imminent. 

3. Loneliness is common among ministers who embrace a false notion that they should not be authentic, that they should hide their weaknesses and let everyone think they are spiritually superior in some way. If more pastors would embrace their humanity by fostering transparency in relationships with those they serve, and quit hiding behind a super-nice, super-saintly and super-human front, they wouldn't be so lonely.

4. Moral failures happen because ministers aren't accountable to others, and, plainly put, do stupid stuff-- like counseling the opposite sex alone behind closed doors, and hiding unfiltered internet usage from view of their spouses. I personally have an accountability partner, a "sister" I report to at least once a week, to help me overcome bad habits and live a better life before God and before others. No one is above the need for accountability.

5.  If one's financial happiness is directly linked to the wallets of those to whom they minister, you can bet there's going to be pressure. Pressure to perform in the pulpit, Sunday after Sunday--not to see lives changed, but to see more pocket change. This is why Dave and I have made the personal choice to be volunteer pastors, even though we've been questioned about our decision, and urged to take a salary. It has even been suggested that our motives were born of pride in being able to say we don't take a penny from the offerings. 

But a recent scenario confirmed to us all over again that we've made the right decision, at least for now. We hosted a community event, and as I sat there and looked around, I realized many of those in attendance had come into hard times. Some were out of work. Additionally, our church is located in an economically depressed area, with the per capita income for the village being just over $17,000. How could we fathom passing the offering plate to these dear people? 

On the way home from the event, I said to Dave, "Can you imagine how it would change our view of the ministry if we looked to individuals for our livelihood?" We love that we can love our congregation for who they are, not for what's in their wallets. 

Here's another fact: In the church at large, some of biggest givers are also the biggest complainers, while some of the most supportive attendees are also the poorest. I can't speak for fellow pastors, but I'd rather have moral support than financial support any day.

And besides all that, not taking a salary means we as a church have been able to give to missions in ways that are nothing short of astonishing. We give all the credit to God for this.

6. Anger (see numbers 1 - 10.)

7. Burnout (see numbers 1 - 10.)

8. Physical health. Pastors, just like everyone else, need to eat right, get enough sleep, and guard against unnecessary stress in their lives. If you are a pastor and stress is causing you health problems, re-read this post.

9. Marriage and family problems happen because too many ministers confuse doing the work of the ministry with a relationship with God. Here is what I believe is the proper ordering of priorities:

God
Family 
Ministry

When ministers blur the lines between numbers one and three, number two suffers. Once again--put (your relationship with) God first, ministry to your family second, and ministry to others after that.

10. Hyper-busyness happens to ministers who don't empower others to do the work of the ministry. It happens when people look to the pastor as the only one qualified or expected to do outreach. Here's an idea: what if more people in the church started equating the word "Christian" with the word "minister," and stopped waiting for the pastor to do everything? Newsflash: you have the Spirit of God within you! Your bedside prayer in a hospital is as good as the pastor's.

What if we erased the lines between "clergy" and "laymen" and started living by our own church's motto: "We are in this together." Imagine the possibilities! 


Burn out? No way! 


On fire? Yes! 


True, healthy growth? You bet!