Pastor Bob

Ministry is not for the faint of heart. This is not an original statement, nor should it come as a surprise. Life is replete with occupations less stressful than pastoral work. And what’s unbelievable is many who serve as pastors today are bi-vocational. And what is the significance? The bi-vocational pastor experiences the same stressors as the full-time pastor, but he does so for less (or no) pay, less free time, and typically has to deal with various stressors from his secular job; I am in the latter category.

Serving as Worship Pastor and Elder at my local Church has proven time and again a blessing beyond all measure and, at times, one of the hardest things I have ever done. Do I enjoy serving? Absolutely! Do I sometimes feel inadequate to fulfill this challenging responsibility? Again, absolutely! I think that’s where Philippians 4:13 comes into play.

I plan, prepare, and lead worship but regularly teach and preach. Often, a church member shares a positive and encouraging statement; they will never know how much that motivates me. There are other times, however, when members have objections that they choose not to share with me. I wish they would share their issues and ideas with me. Some of my best ideas have not even been “my ideas”; they have been ideas or suggestions from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. However, I understand that this is not unique to my local church. I, too, have been guilty of sharing concerns with only those who cannot address them rather than directly to the person in question.

As discouraging and challenging as ministry is, the blessings are out of this world (or better still, not of this world). At the end of the day, serving in my local fellowship of believers is more rewarding than anything I’ve ever done. And when ministry is hard, this is where Scripture grounds and spurs us toward the goal. Ministry is not a sprint; instead, it is a marathon.

9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

-Galatians 6:9 CSB