I belong to a Facebook group for small church pastors (see here). It includes pastors from every denomination. Theologically it is all over the place. But I still find it very helpful to see what other people are dealing with.
I can tell you that, based on that group, there are many discouraged pastors out there.
Many.
That seems to be the default mode of the small church pastor: ready to call it quits and walk away.
They often do.
The problems are usually the same. Low numbers. No growth. No enthusiasm. And most of all, a trouble-maker in the congregation.
Such as?
The church lady who has served in the church for decades but does not take direction well, such as refusing to open both sanctuary doors, even though she’s been asked many times.
A disgruntled man who’s never invited anyone to church, but who tells everyone that the current pastor isn’t as good as the last one.
A deacon who wants longer sermons, while another wants shorter sermons, while yet another wants a deep sermon that is easy to understand.
A treasurer who refuses to sign off on common-sense expenses.
A lonely person who expects the pastor to fill all of his social and emotional needs.
Having the vocation of a pastor or elder is not easy. It’s a spiritual battle, or at least, a race. And ultimately, we’re all supposed to be working together for a common cause.
Here’s a passage that made me stop and think:
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you (Heb 13:17).
Are you a joy to your pastor or do you cause him grief? Are you on his side, or against him? Are you submitting, or rebelling?
One of the major pieces of advice that keeps coming up on that small church pastor group is that if people want to leave your church, let them. Open the door for them as they leave. If they’re leaving, they’re upset about something. So let them go. Are you someone the pastor would like to see leave? Or does he know you have his back?
Sometimes it’s better to go quietly than to stay and cause trouble loudly.
Kent Young
Just FYI, the proper translation of that Hebrews verse is “be persuaded by those leading you” rather than the king jimmy “obey those who rule over you.” IMO, pastor burnout is often the result of the “head pastor” (an office not found in the new testament) trying to fill a role that the Holy Spirit himself is meant to hold, with the help of a plurality of spiritual overseers.
Reformed
Kent agreed. Biblical ecclesiology shows that the elders come together in prayer seeking God’s will. They should make decisions together. The lead pastor may be more accountable to the Lord for the congregation, but the elders are also responsible for the local church. Pastors should never assume a Caesar role in the church. I find it shocking how many congregations have a pastor that clearly displays narcissistic tendencies and the elders fail to keep watch over this kind of pastor and protect the flock. The gift of teacher is not something a believer discovers on his own, it is also discovered and confirmed by the body of believers in the local church. People who think all of a sudden they want to be pastors need the elders of the church to confirm that conviction or deny it. It is how the body of Christ works together. We need each other to grow spiritually and fulfill the great commission.
Jay
Read 3rd John
Alvin
Majority Text Hebrews 13:17
Obey leaders your and yield to them, for they keep watch over your souls as giving an account.
Ross Purdy
Hebrews 13: 17 applies to Hebrews something culturally relevant to the Jewish community. They had elders who were respected and actually functioned as overseers in the community. These were not board members of a church nor did they have “lead” pastors. The “Pastors” were the community elders who watched over and moved to maintain the community. This was a lifestyle and not a church officer. Officer being another Early English enhancement to our Bibles in order to promote the King and his episcopate. These notions are of course not Biblical in the least. Pastors will stop being discouraged when their churches abandon the non-biblical way of doing church and start following Paul’s instructions. Leaders of the people rather than rulers. One must be a n elder first and qualified second doing the work of oversight rather than youngsters (i.e. under 60). The youngsters can serve (doing the physical/foot work at the request of those doing the oversight).
Reformed
We are not given an age minimum for the pastor (episkopos in Greek, translated bishop in old english.)
Titus 1:6 (KJV) “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.”
It is pretty clear the bishop (pastor) position should be given to a man who has faithful kids…that’s no 20 or even 30 year old young buck with kids in diapers. The evidence of his character is to be derived from his family life and interactions with the Christian and pagan community.
Some argue that Timothy himself must have been very young in the ministry…there is no evidence to show Timothy’s age in Scripture. What did the apostle Paul consider a man in the ministry to be a “youth”? Was it a 30 something with kids pushing teenage years? We simply cannot know and should follow the strict requirements of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 explicit qualifications for elders. It will just about eliminate pastor burn out.
Alvin
I believe if I was to attend a biblical Church, it would be like the one Zane and Bob belong to. That is the leaders were given their position, because the members saw that they were gifted for that position. But, there was not just one leader, but elders who took turns bringing forth the message. Church was disciples gathering around the Lord’s supper meal. Of course they had a public meeting also where the reading of the word was done, and worship.
James
Some of the people the the given examples should be coached or even fired! But the tone of this article seems to mostly blame the “trouble-maker.” Pastors who are not professional counselors should refrain from counseling people, but instead should help them find a sound believing counselor(s). Pastors who only have a course or two in pastoral counseling can do a great deal of harm to people who would otherwise get the help they need from people adequately trained to safely address thier issues. I firmly believe that pastoral injuries upon real people who need professional help gives rise to some of the conflict in smaller churches. I myself have left congregations were the pastors have injured people without a care in the world. This article bothers me a little because it feels like a mild attack. I know in my mind this is not the case but I have been wounded by some bad pastors, and have been labeled as the “trouble-maker” because of issues I have had that required professional counseling.