First, it is important to acknowledge that there are some pastors who don't care anymore. It may seem hard to understand, but for a variety of possible reasons (some not their own fault) they don't care.
5) Spiritual Dryness (give your pastor time)
Many church members fail to remember that the pastor is human too. The pastor falls under the same need for forgiveness of sins, through the redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ. The pastor is not any different in this area, but instead what may separate them is the high calling to lead God's sheep. This does not make them better than a church member, but instead it makes the target on their back much bigger. This is why it is important for your pastor to be in the Word and in prayer, much more than the average Christian. It's not that your private time with God is less important, but in the ministry, the attacks are constant and come from all directions. If your pastor isn't prepared every day, how can they hold your hand and guide you when you're attacked?
4) Unnecessary and Continued Criticism
(only take to your pastor, the spiritually important issues)
While this definitely applies to all forms of leadership, I have never been in a position quite like being a pastor, when it comes to criticism, let me explain. The same people who smile to your pastor's face, invite him out to eat and love to show him off to friends as "My Pastor" when they run into him in town, are often the same people who will make life harder and call for him to be fired, or gossip and spread lies, when they don't get their way. In some cases, members of the church will get angry at their pastor for preaching the Gospel. Along with this are the people who bring every single little issue to the pastor. If your pastor has been called to this position, it will be natural for him to take your concern to heart and want to help you. If you take every single little issue to him, however, you will overload him and burn him out faster than you can imagine. Also consider this, your pastor is probably his own biggest critic. So when you bring unnecessary criticism, it tears him down, even if he doesn't show it. When you have to bring necessary criticism to him, do it with gentleness, the way you would want him to come to you.
3) Lack of Support (Think outside the box and do something special)
If your pastor is still in love with the ministry, then he may be throwing everything he can at it. Unfortunately, some churches have come to expect that of the pastor. After all, they "pay him" to be there and do that. While your pastor needs encouragement from time to time, he may also need your help. Before you call your pastor and say, "hey, anything I can do?" you should realize that he will probably say "no." That isn't because he doesn't want your help, it's because he is so used to doing everything, he may not know how to delegate. Instead, pay attention to what it is he is doing and try to take the pressure off. For example, offer to come and answer the phones so he can concentrate. Offer to pay for and deliver lunch by on a day that he will be in the office working. Go pick up his vehicle and take it to the car wash, put some gas in it, and return it to him while he continues to study and work. Make sure he takes vacations, observes the Sabbath and doesn't feel guilty for taking time away from the church/ministry. If you are thinking "we pay him, why should I do that?"I want to encourage you to try being different than the world.
2) Unrealistic Expectations (don't expect your pastor to do more than you)
Prep for 2 (sometimes 3 sermons), prep for a Sunday School class, lead a staff or volunteers, be prepared for any spiritual emergency that may come up, be involved in discipleship and evangelism, visit the sick and shut-in, respond to emergencies, be a husband/parent, disciple his wife and children, study (be ready in and out of season), plan for the direction of the church, implement that direction plan, train leaders, answer when you call, listen when you gripe, encourage you when you cry, perform weddings, funerals, counseling and attend every birthday, family reunion, and important event in the lives of the members.
All of these are reasonable in the life of a pastor. What many fail to realize is that no one person can do all of them. It can't be done without sacrificing something and usually what ends up being sacrificed is the most important in the pastor's life. His prayer life won't complain and gossip, his family usually takes a hit without making him miserable, and his rest and sleep can be reduced if need be. These are the most important things that God has given your pastor, but he usually will sacrifice it first, because he knows that God loves him and will forgive him if he doesn't pray or read his Bible today. His family loves him and they will understand if he can't be there tonight, for the fourth night in a row. He loves himself and can sacrifice his extra rest, in order to do what needs to be done. What he might be more afraid of than letting those things suffer, is the barrage of attacks that will come from his church, if he fails to stroke their egos. When this happens, the pastor may not only lose his church, he may also lose his joy, his family and sometimes even his life.
1) Apathetic Members (return to your First love)
If a church is made up of people who truly love God and will do whatever He has commanded of them, then they will despise apathy, from themselves and from other members. Sometimes, the pastor finds himself in a situation where he is blamed for the apathy of the members. I was going to say that perhaps it is sometimes his fault, but honestly, that's baloney. Now, the pastor can be a part of it, but it is up to the individual to obey Christ. If a member is apathetic, it is because they have forgotten the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Their own spiritual journey has suffered for, some reason, and tradition and temporal things are more important. Some pastors are excellent at leading a church back to the Throne, but it can be a very exhausting and daunting task and with so many pastors quitting each year, it seems it is easier to give up and let God deal with them than be their leader into the "promised land". If Christians would find their First Love and get serious about their relationship with God, the struggle of the pastor would not be so hard.
These are just a few reasons that pastors might seem not to care anymore. What do you think?
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