It has been a while since I have been able to devote time to this endeavor, but I am getting caught up with everything which will allow some time.
I have been reading more, in an effort to grow personally as a Child of God and to grow as a Husband and a father, and as a Pastor. I have so much to learn and so often it seems that life creeps up and diverts my attention from those things that are most important.
So I am reading a book on ministry and came across this thought:
often in the ministry we talk about “burn-out” and needing a hiatus or sabbatical or just a “break from the ministry”. I have heard many of my Brothers in the ministry say such things. I have heard good men talk about how they feel that the Church they are Pastoring does not appreciate them or their family, or that they do not have the help that they need in the ministry and therefore have to put in long days, long weeks, long lives and their family suffers. God never intended for any family to suffer FROM the ministry. In fact, if we minister according to the plan and will and in the power of God, we will not grow weary in well doing, we will not know “burn-out”, we will never feel that we are working long hours for nothing. See, God called me to the gospel ministry – to Preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to a lost and dying world. He called me to Pastor where He has planted me according to His will and His pleasure. He called me to lead a Church family in the work of the ministry. To do that, I must be able to help them grow, I must be able to know the will of God in any given ministry and follow His divine leadership and help people to follow me as I follow Christ.
I want to share the story about a frustrated Pastor, who felt that the people of the Church he was Pastoring were not adequately engaged in the work of the ministry. He thought they were lazy and did not care enough about reaching people. He thought that they were too content in their slow paced ministry and so he took it upon himself to fix it. He would set the example for them and set a tireless ministry work ethic that would make them want to jump on board. After several months that had turned into 20 hour work days as he began new ministries, new outreaches, and new classes, he realized that his family was suffering. He realized that he had not been home to spend time with his family one night in over 3 weeks. He had gotten himself so overwhelmed with multiple “ministry” endeavors, that he was losing his family. So he took his frustrations to a meeting of some of the leaders of the Church. He began by explaining to them his frustration in as kind and patient terms as his weary and nearly bitter heart could muster. This is a quote from this book:
“I am doing a tremendous amount of work around here with little or no response. I’ve increased the number of programs available to the congregation; I’m visiting, going to meetings; plus I’m preparing sermons and classes. I visit the shut-ins every week, go to the hospital every day. I’m not looking for praise, but I feel that my commitment isn’t being matched by the leadership of this Church.” There was a long silence, where I felt people were doing some serious self-examination.
Finally, one wise and patient member, who had seen Preachers come and go, quietly said: “I expect you, as my Pastor, to take care of yourself. I think that’s a big part, perhaps the biggest part, of your job. A burned out Pastor is of no use to me or to this Church. Not one person here can take care of you or set reasonable limits for you. We look to you for leadership in the management of your life. I’m no theologian, but from Scripture and from your Preaching about the Kingdom of God, I have learned that it is our responsibility to be stewards of that kingdom, to manage what we have, including our time and work, in a mature and responsible way. That’s what we brought you here to do.” emphasis mine – crh
Could it be that we allow ourselves to get to the point of being “burned-out” because we fail to do what God has for us to do – take care of His purchased soul? Do I expect others to do what God expects me to do? I need to command my schedule for His glory. I must redeem the time for His honor. Whatever your place in the body of Christ, you have to understand that you are needed. The proper function of the Church depends upon the proper involvement of every member. Make sure you take care of your family. make sure you take care of you.
Lord Bless
