A study revealed that 6 out of every 10 ministers said their role as a pastor left them with insufficient time for their family.
It’s good to know that I am not alone. Often I feel I am neglecting my family for the sake of the ministry. Late night calls to unscheduled visits, should I place limits on the needs of others? For me the answer is easy (uncommitted) NO and YES. How can you place absolute boundaries? Can you just turn off the phone? Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow, I hope? Each situation must be evaluated on an individual basis.
I must confess there are day that seem to just blur into the next. No real day, night, morning or evening. Just a constant pulling at my very core! Get your bible study ready for Thursday while working on one of your clients project and start prepping for Sunday morning. Wait, don’t forget to update the website, the hospital visit and pre-marital class with Cindy and Tom. We’ve just scratching at the surface. My dad continues to ask me how I juggle it all. That is being a husband, father, grandfather, son, friend, coach, work fulltime and pastor a church. All I can do is just smile at him and say I don’t. God provides me with times of relief (that’s if I choose to take it). Clearly there have been times (numerous times at that) that I have chosen to take the bull by the horns (I’m Superman-not) and had wished that I had just sat back and enjoyed a quite moment with my wife and youngest son.
Not that I regret or would change anything, I love the ministry and love to give back when I am able. I just get tired like everyone else. As one of my mentors Greg Laurie says, “I get tired in ministry, but never tired of ministry”.
For the complete article click here
Thank you God for finding me acceptable to serve you.
Link to the article
Tuesday, 4. December 2007
Don’t ask me or anyone else to feel sorry for you. You’ve chosen your own journey so if you can’t take it (you know) get out of the kitchen. It sounds like you don’t know what you want to do with your life (or you are very greedy); this job, that job and the other.
Monday, 10. December 2007
Refreshing post. I wish more ministers would take the time to reflect openly as you do. Think for a moment, we only see a glimpse into the lives of our ministers. When we, as the congregation have problems, we feel as if they are the only issue our minister is (or should be) dealing with. It’s so easy to do, and after reading this I feel are great need to pray for my minister.
Thanks for being open and honest. I just love your posts. Samantha
PS. William, I don’t know you but it sounds like you have some real issues that YOU need to deal with.
God’s Grace
Monday, 10. December 2007
Dear Pastor,
I must admit I feel tired just reading your list of all you do. I do think that it is never a bad idea to ask for help. Have a junior pastor. Maybe you are trying to take on too much. We all do that from time to time. If you had someone else to help ease the burden you would have more time for God and your family and the junior pastor would also be blessed as well. When others offer to help you need to let them! If you don’t you are taking away their blessing as well as your own. Love in Christ
-Di
Tuesday, 11. December 2007
Do you not have as you put, an junior pastor or associate pastor in your church because your pastor has a control issue? or is it because that person has not been called by God to serve in your church?
Tuesday, 11. December 2007
After reviewing the post about salaries, it looks like your pastor is either justifying his salary or wants a raise? Blind… use your common sense people. Or did your god forget to give you one.
Tuesday, 11. December 2007
Here is a man that is clearly stating a simple thought, just as wolves attack the weak, you are trying to belittle an idea. You all must be the most organized, well planned people whom never get over whelmed, and if you do, hurray for you because you never say a thing about it to any one. Isn’t the purpose of a blog to tell others the thoughts that come to mind. And as far as salary goes, do we know what this man’s salary is or if he gets one at all? Is his church so big that there is an executive, senior, junior, apprentice, etc pastor, or is it such a small church that it’s just one man trying to do the work God has called him to do? COMMON SENSE tells me it’s just a thought.
My prayer’s goes out to you, Larry.
Thank you for your honesty.
Wednesday, 12. December 2007
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!! Jimmy.
Friday, 14. December 2007
William,
I think I see where you are trying to come from, but you really have it wrong. I would encourage you to come and join us anytime and see for yourself. This posting is an opportunity for me so share with all of you my feelings and thoughts. Far to often people in ministry are set apart and looked upon as infallible. The emphasis of this blog is to keep myself grounded and humble. I am only admitting that I am human and prone to error just as you are.
Samantha,
Yes you are RIGHT-ON, we all need to pray for each other and it sure doesn’t hurt to throw a bone (pray) towards your church ministry team. The single greatest thing you can do to bless your minister is to pray for them. God Bless
Dianna,
I do try to take on more than I should. It comes from that blasted servant heart. Here’s one of my problems, at least I think it is (and it’s a good problem to have). As I plunge deeper into this relationship thing with God, the more I need to serve (not that I have too). Keeping it all in context, Jesus Christ was brutally beaten and crucified for me. I cannot tell you how many time in my early days I turned away from Him, yet He ever so patiently waited for me.
Look through the New Testament books opening verses. You’ll see phrases such as; I a bondservant of Jesus; we are bound to thank God; a prisoner of Christ; fellow laborer. These descriptive terms paint a very clear picture for us to follow. Simply put, humbly serve others and your serving God.
Thanks for the loving advice and will keep it close to me always.
Shadow Walker,
No control issues here, just a young congregation living for God. In His perfect timing God will prepare and call those to serve in His ministry. Thanks for asking the question. There would be fewer problems in many of our churches if we felt that we could ask the edgier questions without fear of recourse. God Bless
Jimmy Mac,
What can I say other than thank you for your friendship and prayers.
Miss T.,
It’s great to hear from you. And as always thanks for the Miss T views. They are a real blessing.
To all that read and post, may God bless you and keep you safe. Remain faithful to God and please KEEP YOUR FAITH REAL.
Larry is out of the building
Saturday, 26. January 2008
Great read, glad I stumbled on to this it is wonderful to see someone in leadership open and vulnerable. In other words human! This certainly shows his level of trust in Christ. Boy did I need to see this, Gods perfect timing. Thanks