The Burden of the Church (4 of 4)
I was inspired to post on this topic because I keep reading all of these blogs from pastors called, “I love my church!!” and “I love pastoring!!” and “If I loved my church and loved pastoring any more than I do, my nipples would burst!!” And I think it’s cool that they feel that way, but I often don’t. Yesterday I explained WHY I pastor anyway, but for me it’s not because I get a lot of joy out of it. So from what do I get my joy?
Well, in my opinion, from the right places. As far as I can remember, God never teaches us to get joy from pastoring or from our church. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. If you can, more power to ya. But there are two places (that I can think of) where we’re told where we’re to get our joy. (1) Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (2) Proverbs 5:18, “…rejoice in the wife of your youth.” (I’m not going to mention the fact that the next verse says, “may her breasts satisfy you always.”) (Whoops, just mentioned it).
I don’t acheive this perfectly, but I want my joy to come from my relationship with God and my relationship with my wife. Personally, I don’t look to pastoring or my church for joy. If I do get any joy out of that, that’s just icing on the cake.
So, maybe my “confession” this week has encouraged you. At least, if you feel like I do, you can know that you’re not alone
I can understand loving your church especially in that “proud parent” sort of way. I can even understand loving being a pastor. . .but so many present it as if it’s a bowl full of cherries.
In my opinion, a pastor who doesn’t see it as calling from God to be stretched, tested, challenged, draw-the-line-in-the-sand, and even put at risk then most likely he isn’t really doing his job and has probably turned his job into turning the church into a social club. Because when you’re being pushed to your limits there are days when it’s just hard on so many levels (mentally, emotionally, on family, etc.) that you can’t help but think about getting out.
I relate to everything you have written on this subject. I am so relieved that another pastor feels the way that I do (I thought I was just not spiritual enough or something). I love what you said about where we should get our joy, and it seems looking back over the past few years when I tried to get my joy from being a pastor, I found no joy in my relationship with God, or my relationship with my wife.
Thank you so much for writing this.
You are totally welcome!
I think more of us guys feel the same way you do but some aren’t willing to admit it. The situation that I’m in now if I solely got my joy from the church I’d through myself off a bridge but remembering that God brought me here and if I truly rely on Him, He’ll get me through it and make me a better leader for it.
I’m still a bit confused? Although somewhat you have stated differently of course, what I did in (2 of 4).
However, if we live up to the motto of “Love God, Love People”. Isn’t the church both? So if you Love both – even the difficult is joy…, no? I mean I get totally what your saying, but drudgery, disappointment, failure, etc…, comes side by side with Excitement, Hope, and success stories. I would think that it is pretty much the same with most callings – don’t ya think? With one exception of course, folk’s eternal lives in this case happen to be the burden of these called few; and that is no easy burden.
Good stuff.., thanks for sharing bro!
To answer that question: In my experience, the difficulty is not joy. It’s depressing.
I hope you can always keep the perspective you have, if so, count yourself incredibly fortunate.
Vince,
As a recent seminary Grad (from CCU) and taking my first position in a church, I have experience the some of the same lows you have talked about and having the burden. Thanks for the encouragement.
By the way, I love your warped sense of humor. . .