Thoughts for Life: #29 Pastors Are Beat Up

C. Peter Wagner continues his thought from Tuesday's post, taken from his book, PRAYER SHIELD:

"Many, if not most, pastors will actually remind their people of this, (their being a human being), in their sermons from time to time.

When pastors talk about a certain temptation, for example, they might say, 'I am not exempting myself. I am human.

This is as much of a temptation for me as it is for you.'

The people usually acknowledge this as an honest appraisal. But they do not really believe it, mainly because they do not want to.

Part of their own Christian well-being depends to a degree on following a pastoral leader whom they regard as somewhat higher on the scale of piety and spiritual attainment than they might ever be.

Using society's help, they often put their pastor on a spiritual pedestal.

Pastors are also trained not to be hypocrites. They know very well they are not all their congregations expect them to be.

Their spouses know this also, but few others do.

Consequently, pastors are caught in a bind, for they sense God's calling on their lives to be a pastor and they know that they cannot do an effective job as a pastor if they do not outwardly conform to their congregation's expectations.

But how do they handle what is going on inside?

In a word—pastors need help—at least more help than they have been getting.

In the course of a year, I meet and interact with hundreds of pastors.

Even though I do not relate to them as a counselor or a pastor to pastors, I find that many are beat up; spiritually, emotionally and sometimes physically.

Where can they go for help?

They are reluctant to go to any of their church members, for the word could too easily leak out; Our pastor is failing us by not conforming to our expectations.

Pastors in the same denomination are usually on friendly terms with each other but somewhat distrustful at the deeper levels.

What would church members think if their pastor was seeing a professional counselor?

Pastors of other churches in the same community are likely prospects for help but frequently overburdened and unavailable.

Beyond those circles, most pastors simply run out of meaningful relationships.

Happily, there are some exceptions. A fair number of pastors do not fit this rather bleak picture I am painting.

They have little internal conflict because deep down they actually are what they are expected to be emotionally and spiritually.

Some are not, but they have found sources of help and are managing their situation well.

I wish I could report that these are in the majority but I am afraid I cannot.

Without wanting to oversimplify terribly complex situation, I do want to point out that Satan has many pastors just where he wants them.

They are vulnerable to his attacks."

Today’s post -#29 Pastors Are Beat Up, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 62-64) By Regal Books

The next post 10/24 - #30 Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors

Let’s pray:

"Heavenly Father, I’m so humbled that You would call me to anything. You have all the power needed for every job, yet you ask me to join you. Thank you, Lord. Please make my heart willing to say yes to everything you want me to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” (Gwen Smith)

Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 5:51 "I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God."

Today’s quotes: Jonathan Swift – “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”

Cindy O’Brien – “Look for ways to encourage through your words. Not only will they be blessed, but you will be too and the Lord will be glorified!”

Some thoughts today: Who are your heroes? Copy their good traits to become what you’re intended to be in the Kingdom of God. We become what we stare at, so be careful whose life you’re watching! You’ll direct the shaping of your life by what you watch.

- We’re given supernatural giftings to fulfill God’s purpose in our local church. He will use anyone with His ability to change things.

- Sin saps our energy and dampens our progress as a Christian. We’re encouraged to press through temptations and hardships, and to run through them with Christ’s help. He was an overcomer, so we can be overcomers too!

Thursday’s post: #Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post: What's in Your Sponge? Barbara Latta

Sunday's post: Discovering God's Will Dr. Charles Stanley

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A popular post: The Vision Confirmed: Prayer Note #111 Dutch Sheets tells us of his first confirmation that our nation will have revival at The National Day of Prayer.

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