We are Calling a Pastor - What Does This Mean?
Here are some observations I have found as I fill in as your vacancy pastor. Peter Drucker, a leadership guru, said that the four hardest jobs in America (and not necessarily in order, he added) are:
- The President of the United States
- A university president
- A CEO of a hospital and
- A pastor
Is that true? Pastors love God and love people. They get to pray for people, lead people to a faith in Jesus Christ and teach people the Word of God.
That sounds like a dream job. You can read the Bible all day, pray, play a little golf and preach. I want to do that (but I don't play golf-now what?)!
Here is the secret. Being a pastor is hard work. It's not for wimps.
This is the reality-the job of a pastor can be 24/7 and carry unique challenges. You have let me slack as your part-time vacancy pastor. Thanks for that!
Some pastors wear themselves out trying to help people. Some wound their family because they are so involved in ministry. Others flourish in their ministry and personal life.
Approximately 85% of churches in America have less than 200 people. 60% of churches are under 100 people. The average size congregation in USA is 89 people, according to The Barna Group. Staffs are small and needs are great. In many situations the pastor needs to be a Bible teacher, accountant, strategist, visionary, computer tech, counselor, public speaker, worship director, prayer warrior, mentor, leadership trainer and fundraiser.
Who can be all of that?
- 90% of pastors said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be like before they entered the ministry.
- 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started.
Personally, I love being a pastor. We have great people at Calvary Lutheran Church. I am content. Of course, it's a lot easier to be "content" when things are going well. I have great friends who are pastors. My marriage is strong. I am a better man because God called me to be a pastor.
Some of the unique problems that pastors' face are:
1. Criticism
Pastors can be criticized by a lot of people for a multitude of things.
"Music is too loud. Worship is not long enough. It's too long."
"Sermon is not deep enough. It's too long."
"Pastor thinks he's too important. It took me 3 weeks to get an appointment."
"You talk too much about money."
"...can I talk to you for a minute, Pastor?" This simple question can cause a pastor to think: "Oy vey. Now what?"
We pastors need to find a way to not take criticism so personally and learn from truths that could be hidden in the criticism.
2. Rejection
Members leave, leaders leave and pastors' friends leave. The reality is-people leave.
The smaller the church, the more obvious it is when people leave. Some leave for reasonable decisions, many leave 'ungracefully'. They leave the big churches too-by the thousands.
When people leave our church of about 150-it is so disappointing. When people leave huge churches, and they do, their loss is not so noticeable.
These words cause a pastor to wonder about his call into the ministry:
"I'm leaving."
"We want something deeper."
"My needs aren't getting met."
Every pastor has heard, "I'm not getting fed here." Really? Not getting fed? Perhaps it's time to offer your talents to help us feed one another.
One of the most difficult conditions to achieve is to have a "tough skin and a soft heart." Love people, hold them lightly and don't take it personally.
"...uhhh, OK. Lord help us."
3. Betrayal
Staff leaders may not support the congregation and the direction the pastor desires to see the congregation grow. The pastor trusts a person with a title and that person has a different agenda.
Church staff causing problems is a betrayal. Pastors rightfully think, "We're paying you to solve problems, not cause them. I don't need to pay someone a salary to create problems."
- 40% report a conflict with a church member at least once a month.
- 85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are tired of dealing with problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, board members, associate pastors, and paid staff.
- The #1 reason pastors leave the ministry is that church members are not willing to follow or change.
- 40% of pastors say they have considered leaving their pastorates in the last three months.
We pastors have to find a way, with God's grace, to love people as if we have never been hurt before.
4. Loneliness
Who's my friend? Who can I trust? Who can I talk to about my problems?
- 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
Are my friends really my friends or a church member who is a temporary friend who may leave any day now?
Healthy friendships are crucial to a fulfilling life, especially to the well-being of a pastor.
5. Weariness
- 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.
- 70% felt God called them to pastoral ministry before their ministry began, but after three years of ministry, only 50% still felt called.
Keeping personally refreshed is an art and a science... and extremely important.
6. Frustrations & Disappointments
Disappointments come in many ways.
Because of smaller congregations, the average compensation package for pastors is a subsistence salary. There are many things pastors in this salary range are not able to do for their family that other people around them can do.
There are many areas of ministry that judging "success" is difficult. Pastors can be hard on themselves. We work in an area that good work and good effort does not always guarantee success.
Many pastors work hard, do their best, but can't connect with their members. It's frustrating.
Some days leaders feel like they can't seem to do anything right. The ministry finally gets momentum and then a leader leaves. Things are going well and then a couple of the biggest givers leave.
The church needs money but the pastor doesn't want to put too much focus on money. It's not about the money-but it becomes about the money.
All of this can be overwhelming.
- 4,000 new churches begin each year and 7,000 churches close.
- Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year.
- Over 3,500 people a day left the church last year.
- 50% of pastors feel so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
- 45.5 % of pastors say that they've experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry.
This is not the case for all pastors. In fact many manage to handle these issues well.
How Christians and church members can help.
- Pray for your pastor Pray for guidance, protection, healthy friends, their marriage and family.
Pray for inspiration, anointing, the leadership team, unity and clarity.
Pray for our Call Committee as they seek the pastor God desires to lead Calvary. - Protect your pastor As best you can don't allow or participate in gossip and criticism.
How can you serve and problem solve to prevent overload? - Encourage your pastor Thank him for his ministry and sacrifice.
Tell them a specific time in which you or someone you know experienced a life change in their church.
Honor them to others. Let your pastors know you are praying for them.
According to the Barna report-the profession of "Pastor" is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above "car salesman."
Insert a prayer or inspirational message to your members.
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Here's a copy of the links from President Matthew Harrison's discussion before Congress on Health Care that were posted in the last issue.
http://youtu.be/HAdkZLHXKUs
http://youtu.be/527spTZiwBU 
