who would want to be a pastor?

[thallon]

lets say you've got a congregation of a hundred people,
fifty men and fifty women.
you got trouble there for a start.
adultery,
teenagers,
suicide attempts.
mental illness,
fraud,
child molesters,
drunks,
liars, thieves , hypocrites,
porn, drugs.
people who won't help, who won't give, who won't co operate,
divisions, opinions, gossip.
everyone who is stupid or dumb or immature getting into all sorts of trouble
and then ringing you at 2 in the morning to come and sort it out.
Who would want to deal with a hundred human beings and their problems and at the same time
live their own life.
Oh the frustrations of a dead church or a church splitting over
minor interpretations of scripture
or strong men who try to take control.

My hat goes off to you and i salute you pastors across the world,
no matter what your sins or failings or faults,
you are better than a team of seals sneaking into osama's lair,
you are better than crack SAS combat troops on the front lines against terrorists.

Pray for your pastors, they need it.

[seank6]

Amen! What's crazy is it's those same people that you listed that Is the reason a man wants to become a pastor. It's them whom when God does His greatest work glorifies Him the most if that makes sense.

[micah719]

Any man that thinks he can solve that litany of disaster himself deserves to fall flat on his face trying, hopefully in order to learn that the only One that can fix even one of them is The Lord.

Pastors are not self-appointed, nor are they selected by church boards or academic committees. They are not trained in semetaries sorry seminaries, and they don't grow on trees nor do they get hit with a magic pastor wand and get transformed into a caped crusader overnight.

That said, if The Lord selects His man and trains him through difficulties and trials, He will accomplish His purpose to the full and be there 24/7 year round to hold his hand and be his Shield. It is written that it is a noble thing to desire such an honourable and responsible position, on the other hand it is also written that not many should aspire to it for the standard of accountability is much higher, the risks are very real. Count the cost! And if you take the path, may The Lord be with you and guide, guard, strengthen and comfort you, and shower you with grace and blessings, for His eternal Glory!

[DanLW]

Not me! And I can think of all sorts of bad excuses why.

My theory has always been that the people who should be in positions of authority should be those who don't seek positions of authority. I'm not sure if that idea is directly supported by scripture, but off the top of my head, I can't think of any "hero" of the bible who got there through his own ambitions. Although I can think of some of the kings of Israel/Judah who got there by their own ambitions. (they're the bad ones)

Now, am I saying somebody who goes to bible college and submits applications to be a pastor is bad? no, not really. But it's unfortunate that churches today can't hire on one of their own to be a pastor, rather they seek somebody with a piece of paper that says they are righteous, rather than somebody who has proven to be worthy.

Think about it. Elders are not hired on, at least in the churches I've been to. But the pastor is. If a church comes to need a pastor, why not choose one from among the Elders who can become the pastor, providing he is willing. This way they would be selecting somebody based on proven knowledge and experience, which I think is scriptural, per 1 Timothy 3. Why not do it this way? (Because he doesn't have a piece of paper!) Does anybody know of a church which has hired a pastor from one of their own? They must be out there...

Again, not condemning people who go to Bible college with the intent of entering the ministry. Just my own observation.

[mattfivefour]

No pastor worth his salt chooses to be a pastor. It is a service that the Lord puts upon a man, that He calls him to.

[Meg]

In light of the points made in the OP, all of which are unfortunately negative, there is a question to ask yourself... How are you treating people around you and why? In the answer to that question, a person will discover who or what they really worship.

There is another side to the pastorate entirely. There is the man of God who goes where he is asked top go and does what he's asked to do, without flinching nor arguing. David Wilkerson was such a man, and many people today thank God for his unflinching obedience. There are many other unsung heroes of the faith who are too busy doing what God has asked of them to be writing books or doing TV shows...

[seank6]

In light of the points made in the OP, all of which are unfortunately negative, there is a question to ask yourself... How are you treating people around you and why? In the answer to that question, a person will discover who or what they really worship.

There is another side to the pastorate entirely. There is the man of God who goes where he is asked top go and does what he's asked to do, without flinching nor arguing. David Wilkerson was such a man, and many people today thank God for his unflinching obedience. There are many other unsung heroes of the faith who are too busy doing what God has asked of them to be writing books or doing TV shows...

i agree. and all to often there are those who spend way to much time criticizing( pastors and their work) from behind a computer screen instead of themselves doing something about it. or rebuking with love to those they are critical of...

[Hannah]

My husband and I have been praying for pastors & Christian leaders for years now.

As Thallon said a pastor's job isn't easy. How often are they attacked by ignorant Christians and have to forgive and then minister to those people? It must be soooo emotionally taxing. Yes they need our support and not just criticism from others who think they could do a better job.


for all those in teaching & leadership roles in Churches and Fellowship groups across the world. May God enable these men & women to serve Him according to His Word and may they all be guided by the Holy Spirit. Amen

[seank6]

An ironic update: just got some good news . I've been accepted by Columbia International University admissions deprtment where I'll be dual majoring in pastoral ministries and pastoral counseling ! Praise God!

[Hannah]

An ironic update: just got some good news . I've been accepted by Columbia International University admissions deprtment where I'll be dual majoring in pastoral ministries and pastoral counseling ! Praise God!

kitty on lap hard type

[Meg]

An ironic update: just got some good news . I've been accepted by Columbia International University admissions deprtment where I'll be dual majoring in pastoral ministries and pastoral counseling ! Praise God!

Congratulations!

[king'sbloomingrose]

An ironic update: just got some good news . I've been accepted by Columbia International University admissions deprtment where I'll be dual majoring in pastoral ministries and pastoral counseling ! Praise God!

That's awesome!

[JasonG]

I am going through school right now to be a pastor. I have had the calling on my life for a long time but I have also run from it for as long as I have had it.

You know, I have been through a lot in my life. I have known what it is like to be in need / make very very little money to support my family. I have had jobs where I worked for some of the worlds most important leaders and I have had jobs where I made a lot of money. None of the things I have done in my life have ever given me that "fulfilled" feeling.

In the church, I am part of our praise and worship team and even that isn't enough.

I love the Lord. I love Him with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength. I love His Word and I have a heart to preach. I didn't ask for this and I am certainly undeserving of ANY gift the Lord would give, especially being a pastor. The fact that God would choose to use me after the sin of my past will always astound me.

So yes, please pray for pastors and please pray for me that I may preach God's Word fearlessly as I should.

[mattfivefour]

I am going through school right now to be a pastor. I have had the calling on my life for a long time but I have also run from it for as long as I have had it.

You know, I have been through a lot in my life. I have known what it is like to be in need / make very very little money to support my family. I have had jobs where I worked for some of the worlds most important leaders and I have had jobs where I made a lot of money. None of the things I have done in my life have ever given me that "fulfilled" feeling.

In the church, I am part of our praise and worship team and even that isn't enough.

I love the Lord. I love Him with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength. I love His Word and I have a heart to preach. I didn't ask for this and I am certainly undeserving of ANY gift the Lord would give, especially being a pastor. The fact that God would choose to use me after the sin of my past will always astound me.

So yes, please pray for pastors and please pray for me that I may preach God's Word fearlessly as I should.

I pray that indeed for you, bro! And not only fearlessly, but rightly divided! And with a heart filled with God's love.

[JasonG]

I pray that indeed for you, bro! And not only fearlessly, but rightly divided! And with a heart filled with God's love.

Amen and amen. Thank you mattfivefour.

[Meg]

This is an open question to anyone and everyone considering going into the pastorate. What will you hope to do differently? Who will be your inspiration and why? In what ways will you seek to make the badly needed difference? The last thing this world needs is more of the same... More of the same institutional apathy; more of the same catering to the money crowd; more of the same seeking a comfortable place in a well evangelized area like where I live; more of the same contempt for the lost; more of the same turning away from brothers and sisters in real need. I have seen all of these things repeated in churches all over this area and beyond...

A definition of insanity or futility is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...

[mattfivefour]

This is an open question to anyone and everyone considering going into the pastorate. What will you hope to do differently? Who will be your inspiration and why? In what ways will you seek to make the badly needed difference? The last thing this world needs is more of the same... More of the same institutional apathy; more of the same catering to the money crowd; more of the same seeking a comfortable place in a well evangelized area like where I live; more of the same contempt for the lost; more of the same turning away from brothers and sisters in real need. I have seen all of these things repeated in churches all over this area and beyond...

A definition of insanity or futility is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...

I don't want to do anything differently, sis. Or the same. To look at something that some other man or men are doing or have done is to have my eyes on them and not on God. I want to continue to focus solely on Him and serve Him by first allowing the Holy Spirit to continue to change me as He brings forth His fruit in me ... a fruit that begins and is rooted in love ... love for Him and love for my fellow man ... saint and sinner alike. My purpose thus is only to serve Him. Serve Him by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ ... and by feeding His sheep. The burning in my heart to serve Him in this way grows stronger and stronger the longer I live. Sometimes it is so intense that I do not think I can physically stand it any longer!

[Meg]

I don't want to do anything differently, sis. Or the same. To look at something that some other man or men are doing or have done is to have my eyes on them and not on God. I want to continue to focus solely on Him and serve Him by first allowing the Holy Spirit to continue to change me as He brings forth His fruit in me ... a fruit that begins and is rooted in love ... love for Him and love for my fellow man ... saint and sinner alike. My purpose thus is only to serve Him. Serve Him by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ ... and by feeding His sheep. The burning in my heart to serve Him in this way grows stronger and stronger the longer I live. Sometimes it is so intense that I do not think I can physically stand it any longer!

I think it is normal and natural to be inspired by the example set by men and women who have blazed trails in this life... or otherwise. We're going to get our ideas, inspirations and examples somewhere, which is why Scripture says that those who endeavor to teach will be judged more harshly.

I have seen too many betrayals by the pastorate, and heard of many more. It is so easy to turn your back, to wallow in the comfort zone. It is the men and women who did everything but hide under the plush rug who are my inspiration when I need encouragement and don't know where else to look. Their testimonies help me believe that I too can stand in deep faith unflinching to the best of my ability in my lifetime. But its really not about me these days. Its about the young people who have never known safety and decency, who honestly see nothing wrong with homosexuality, and whose idea of eternal is a vampire. Where are they to turn in a time of real need?

Robert, talking about Connecticut commented recently that the secular atheists got exactly what they wanted up there. Indeed they did, and they have no kindness, no compassion, and they readily commit passive euthanasia out of contempt for the weak. The institutional church also commits a spiritual form of passive euthanasia, out of contempt for the lost whose sinful ways offend them. I apologize if I should, but I have things I know of that I can't get out of my head.

[mattfivefour]

Don't get me wrong, sis. I am inspired by the likes of Paris Reidhead and Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon and H.B. Garlock, and many more. But it is to God and God alone that I look for instruction and direction. How others served Him is the result of His leading in their lives, not those whom they respected. We each need our own empowerment and leading. And that comes from God, and no one else. Too many young ministers try to pattern themselves after a famous pastor or evangelist. You watch them, and you see the same mannerisms and "tricks". But an imitation of man is a poor substitute for the power of the Holy Spirit. If you want God's work done and done right, then what you need is an ordinary man totally given over into the hands of an extraordinary God.