Pastoral Musings

According to one survey, only 23% of pastors report being happy and content in their identity in Christ, in their church, and in their home.

I suspect, however, that men in these situations might be crippled all the more were they to faithfully preach a text like 1 Tim. 5:17-20. They would be seen as self-serving and courting with more hostility and dissatisfaction from a people already running afoul of God’s call to churches to honor faithful servants.

So, I’m hopeful at least some of God’s people would consider these statistics, reflect upon their church’s treatment of their pastors, and perhaps lead a conspiracy to make sure faithful elders receive “double honor” from those they teach and lead.

via Don’t Make Your Pastor a Statistic – Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile.

There are men in the ministry who are after money.  There is no doubt about that.  Sadly, they have tainted the image of the ministry to such a degree that many never think seriously about the burdens that a pastor carries.  They do not think about the fact that he needs health insurance, and other things that are often provided by other employers.  Some never receive a paid vacation.  Some pay for their own housing.

The burdens of the ministry are great.  The rewards are eternal.  Do not forget, however, that there should be remuneration of various kinds in the present.

Related articles

• I Am So Very Glad to Be A Pastor (pastoralmusings.com)
• Pastor Or Statistic? (mgpcpastor.wordpress.com)
• The Loneliness of Pastoral Ministry (pastorayres.wordpress.com)