Pastor, you and your family are called by God to a unique, challenging, and exciting path in life. As a Shepherd to God's people, your life path is one of great privilege, honour, joy, and work with eternal value. You have chosen to serve, lead, love and nurture God's people and to lead them closer to Him. We hope that you have experienced some of the deep satisfaction and fulfillment of doing this work.
However, being a spiritual leader also involves putting yourself in the way of Satan's arrows and fiery darts. Satan knows that if he can attack and destroy a pastor or his family, he can also affect families in the congregation, the community, and our country at large. As a pastor, you are at greater risk for attacks from the enemy. Satan will try to distract you in subtle ways: he may discourage you from spending time with your family, confuse your priorities, allow busyness to overtake time praying and reading Scripture, or inject your heart with discouragement and feelings of hopelessness. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).
Being in ministry in the 2nd millennium also poses new and greater risks and challenges for those in ministry. H.B.London, Jr. and Neil B. Wiseman in their book, Pastors at Greater Risk, explain the added pressures facing clergy today:
"The prevailing crisis among pastors is crystal clear. Contemporary spiritual leaders are under a twofold assault- one within and one without. Inside the Church, the snares of secularism entrap many believers. Daily, pastors deal with diluted dedication, family disintegration, superficial commitments and an accepted church consumerism no longer interested in sacrifice, suffering or servanthood.
Outside the Church, pastors face a new dark age where success is king and real faith issues are far down the average person's priority list after the PTA meeting, latest video releases, Little League game or weekend diversion."(p 29, 30)
At Focus on the Family Canada, we value the incredible work, dedication, and sacrifices of pastors and their families. At the same time we realize that there are challenges, stumbling blocks, and discouragements along the way.
Know that you are not alone in your struggles. Generations and centuries of pastors before you have also become spiritually fatigued and have been surrounded by stresses related to serving the Lord. And this very day even, thousands of pastors world-wide stand with you, experiencing similar pressures and challenges. "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Pet 5:9) While you may not consider your current work as "sufferings", take comfort in realizing that many others are facing similar experiences in the ministry.
Pastors, you don't need to walk this winding and often stony path alone! God has exquisitely created us all to function together as part of His greater body. As Moses and Aaron learned, the battle cannot be won alone. It is much easier to remain faithful and energized when there is support by your side.
The Clergy Care Network is intended to be an aid and helpmeet for you in ministry. We know that some of you are wounded, weary, broken, and bleeding. We invite you and your immediate family members to contact us for support, information, referrals, counselling, and prayer.
Press on, Pastor! Jesus is running the race alongside you; in the end you will be able to bow and humbly say to your Saviour, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7).
