This is an extremely stressful age in which to conduct ministry. At first glance this seems hard to imagine. I seem to remember times in history when pastors faced beating, imprisonment, and death for faithfully proclaiming God’s word. And indeed, there are places around the world where this remains the case. But it’s not likely for anyone reading these words.
Still, at least compared to our past experience in America, the weight of ministry today is heavy. As I’ve written before, the societal changes over the past two generations have shaken congregations as the ministry now occurs in a hostile, as opposed to favorable, environment. The result is that today, according to the Unstuck Group Quarterly Report for the fourth quarter of 2022, only 16 percent of congregations are either growing or experiencing sustained health, with 66% of churches on the declining side of their lifecycles. It’s no wonder that, according to the website SoulShepherding.org, 75% of pastors report being extremely stressed, 40% report serious conflict with a church member, and 50% report times when, had they an opportunity, they would have left the ministry. The weight of ministry is heavy.
So, how do we bear it?
We know the obvious answer, trust in the Lord who is our strength. Of course, if this were easy we wouldn’t be reading the numbers reported in the above paragraph. So, how do we draw on his strength when our load is heavy?
We need each other! Within the church, God provides our brothers and sisters as a resource for us, which is why Paul in Galatians 6:2 instructs us to “Carry one another’s burdens.” This is true within the church, but I believe it’s also true across the body of Christ between ministry leaders. Pastors and church staff need each other. The common understanding of the call paired with the wisdom a colleague might offer relative to a given need are gifts we ought not dismiss.
We all know this. And there are a variety of reasons why many don’t take take advantage of these connections, which I’ll address in a subsequent post. I’ll also share ways we all might connect, for our own benefit as well as that of others.
In the meantime, please know this: Here and now in GTBN, we’re here for each other. Whether it is through an official ministry like the pastor’s prayer meeting or a simple informal connection with a nearby pastor, there is a connecting point for you. As a colleague in another association says, “There’s no reason for you to pastor alone.” As we say it here, we really are better together!
Blessings,
Jim