QUESTION 6:

Will pastors survive or thrive?

I was talking with a medical doctor just today who has kindly agreed to do a webinar with the members of Journey Pastoral Coaching. The subject of the webinar is handling stress.  

Like most doctors involved in surgical procedures, she’s well qualified to talk about stress:  medical school, four years of residency, and now a career in a practice that deals with anesthesia, intensive care medicine, critical emergency medicine, and pain medicine, before, during, and after surgery. As a studied and skilled professional, one created by God to do what she is doing, she does not merely survive in her work, she thrives. She has to. Be it a routine tonsillectomy or intense spinal surgery, she has to thrive. And because she does, her patients thrive. 

The worlds of some pastors have been forever rocked by COVID. To hear them talk, and to read their articles and posts, this is the first time in world history that something like this has ever happened. Thinking like this, their conversations, writing, and ministry are focused now on merely surviving. They feel that the world has somehow shifted on its axis, and so, their world will never be a safe place again. For them, the future is not as bright as it once was because the Son, excuse me, I meant to type “the sun,” has been dislodged from the sky. Because of COVID-19, the Light of the World will now shine far differently on the world over which He is Sovereign, and their worlds over which He is Lord. And so these pastors have made a decision: their lives and ministries will be now focus on merely surviving even after this most recent challenge has passed. 

And that’s a shame. Because like my doctor friend, pastors were born for moments like these. Twenty-one centuries of pandemics, persecutions, and disasters have demonstrated this to be true: 

• James in 1^st century Israel, 

• Cyprian in 3^rd century Roman Empire, 

• Luther in 16^th century Germany,

• Spurgeon in 19^th century England, 

• Bonhoeffer in 20^th century Germany, 

• Lamb in 20^th and 21^st centuries China, 

• And countless unnamed pastors in unnamed places throughout history.   

God has not created and called pastors to retreat in a world of trial and tribulation, but to stand before Him boldly in time of need and then to stand before God’s people, confidently leading the way in Him. As pastors stand before God in study, worship, and prayer, and then stand before His people, they will see Him in us, they will hear Him through us. And they will follow. Through the very valley of the shadow of death, they will follow and find still waters and green pastures. Not just surviving the situation, but thriving in Him. Souls restored. Goodness and mercy following.

History confirms what the Word tells us. Like Pastor Paul, every pastor can say:

In whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil.4.10-13

Abounding or in need, we can thrive in Jesus Christ. Thank God for pastors who lead us in the way.  

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NOTE: Journey Pastoral Coaching exists to provide pastoral coaching to Millennial ministers.

Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.

We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry. 

Now, more than ever, we need your help. 

If you or your church would like to help Millennial ministers in 20 US states and 5 nations build strong for a lifetime in ministry, please click here to contact us by email or to support Journey monthly or with your one-time gift. Thank you.

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“In the early years when I was becoming a pastor, I needed a pastor.” 

 Eugene H. Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir